Design for servicability and manufacturability

The need for servicability of computer hardware ...

"In a perfect world, a machine should be easy to maintain and service, even to a novice. This will never happen of course, but there are a few guidelines and case studies that will help you.

We'll use the original series of iMac (the fruit-colored ones) as an example of a machine that could have been built differently. While most people agree that it's a good machine when it works, it has a few quirks that make it frustrating when it fails.

A lot of the first machines produced had an unforeseen problem of the monitor's transformer overheating and failing. While this is the kind of thing that can happen to anyone, other aspects of the design made this a bit of a disaster for the owner.

The general design of the iMac is relatively difficult to service. Access to most of the electronics means disassembling a good portion of the chassis, not just the removal of one panel. Many parts are hidden under other parts, or connected in such a way that access is not obvious. This creates problems even for servicepeople who will otherwise willingly crack open a computer."   continued ...   (Via IDFuel)

Computer Parts.