The gadget fixer-uppers at iFixit took delivery of a Thunderbolt Display—supplies are so constrained that Apple's flagship Chicago location doesn't even have one on display yet—and promptly took it apart in the name of science. What they found inside is basically a 27" iMac sans Intel processor and internal storage.

"Both sides of the logic board are packed with enough chips that it's hard to believe there's no computer inside this display," iFixit's Miro Djuric told Ars. Among the hardware on the logic board is a Light Ridge Thunderbolt controller, Broadcom Gigabit Ethernet controller, several USB 2.0 controller and hub chips, and an LSI open host controller interface. Like the 27" Cinema Display, it also features a 49W class D audio amplifier that drives 2 full range stereo speakers and a tiny embedded subwoofer. The included FaceTime camera is capable of full 720p HD resolution, an upgrade from the camera in previous displays.

Perhaps the oddest design is the internal connection for the Thunderbolt cable. Instead of soldering the cabling directly to the logic board, Apple included an internal Thunderbolt port. The cable is secured with a plastic locking clamp that screws into place.

The 27" 2560x1440 pixel IPS panel is an LG LM270WQ1, the same panel in Apple's 27" iMac, 27" Cinema Display, and Dell's 27" UltraSharp U2711. Nothing new here, but—I was looking at one yesterday—it's bright, sharp, color accurate, and has a beautifully wide viewing angle. To support the huge display panel, LED backlight, and power to the array of Thunderbolt, FireWire, and USB ports, the Thunderbolt Display's power supply can output 250W of maximum continuous power.

Nothing inside could offer any explanation for the Thunderbolt Display's odd incompatibilities with DisplayPort devices. At least it scores an 8/10 for reparability, thanks to minimal use of adhesives and just two sizes of Torx screws. Be sure to head over to iFixit to get a closer look at all the internals.