Apple's 'black stick' tool

[MacHeadCase]

For all you tech heads, TUAW unveils a mystery, Tracking the mysterious 'black stick' (http://www.tuaw.com/2008/06/20/tracking-the-mysterious-black-stick/):

In its hardware repair instructions and videos, Apple frequently mentions the "black stick (http://www.command-tab.com/2005/11/17/apples-black-stick/)," a plastic tool that can be used to pry things apart without damaging our precious glossy exterior finishes (or the sensitive electronics inside). The problem I've found is that nobody seems to have these, instead opting to use credit cards, pens, screwdrivers, chisels, circular saws, or whatever else is handy to crack open the case. ...

The rest of the article includes links to various providers of the 'black stick'.

[iBones]

http://www.augk18.dsl.pipex.com/Smileys/Headscratch.gif

I'll leave this one for the gear heads.

[Rxx]

Secret Apple genius tools?

[cwa107]

I think the technical term is "spudger". I have a few of these from my day-job, servicing Dell's. They often stick a spudger in with replacement parts, particularly when you need to crack the case open. Very handy, especially in machines that are as tightly clipped together as Mac notebooks and iPods are.

[technologist]

Call me crazy, but I miss the days when Macs were big, square, off-white pizza boxes that could be opened with your bare hands.

[cwa107]

Call me crazy, but I miss the days when Macs were big, square, off-white pizza boxes that could be opened with your bare hands.

Yeah, but they wouldn't look nearly as sweet as they do these days. Of course, I've never been one for Apple's form > functionality design ethos, especially when it comes to servicing them.

[Stretch]

Servicing my G5 iMac w/ iSight was a nightmare. I'd like to replace the HD on my new iMac, but there isn't anyway I'd be able to open it.

[MaDDoG]

Don't they also use them for grouting around shower bases?

[MacHeadCase]

That's a tech head on vacation or on weekends, MD!

[cwa107]

Servicing my G5 iMac w/ iSight was a nightmare. I'd like to replace the HD on my new iMac, but there isn't anyway I'd be able to open it.

Heya, Stretch! :coolthumbup:

Believe it or not, these little spudger sticks make it tolerable, providing that you have some semblance of a clue as to where the clips are located, and of course you can find that out from ifixit.com.

[Sherman Homan]

I got a spudger from iFixit, it worked great pulling apart an iPod. And for a whopping three American dollars, it is worth it!

[BlueBell]

Spudger eh? Might have to get me one of those for my future iPod.

[cwa107]

One of the members on another forum you might be familiar with actually sells these from his store (http://techound1.com/store/) if you need one.

[zillah]

I got a spudger from iFixit, it worked great pulling apart an iPod. And for a whopping three American dollars, it is worth it!
I like this tool, but I could not find it in Aussie,,,,and I have sent them an email and they told me they will charge me 29 dollar (as far as I remember) for shipment,,,imagine you buy it for 3 and you pay 29 US.

[goramit]

I like this tool, but I could not find it in Aussie,,,,and I have sent them an email and they told me they will charge me 29 dollar (as far as I remember) for shipment,,,imagine you buy it for 3 and you pay 29 US.

The above-mentioned store has an ebay link where shipping to AU shows up as $2.40. :thumbup:

Oh, and guitar picks work really great for opening ipods.

[zillah]

link where shipping to AU shows up as $2.40.
Could you please post that link

[goramit]

Could you please post that link
It's item # 110341394473 on the US site (http://cgi.ebay.com/2-Apple-Black-Stick-Spudger-MacBook-Repair-TOOLS-Manual_W0QQitemZ110341394473QQcmdZViewItemQQptZApp le_Laptops?hash=item110341394473&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A13 18|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50).

[Cipwag]

Hi, what are the most Mac-like USB-sticks out there now/to come in the near future...?

I am seeking a memory-stick with a Mac-like aluminium design...