Wacom Cintiq Pro 13 Disassembly

ID: 135590

Description: Wacom Cintiq Pro 13 is a tricky device to disas...

Remove two T5 Torx screws on the bottom of the device
Remove two plastic covers as they come loose
Removing two T5 Torx screws and shields on the top side is not required to disassemble the device

Heat up the bottom rubber plate near holes using heat gun or hairdryer and try to insert prying tool as adhesive softens.
A drip or two of isopropyl alcohol on the plastic tools can soften the adhesive even further
If you're using Heat Gun do not overheat the rubber plate as it may melt. You should be still able to touch the rubber plate with bare hands after heating it up.
Watch out for ribbon cables hiding in holes, as covers with T5 Torx screws are now removed.
As the adhesive softens, try to insert flat plastic tool on the top
Heat up the rest of the rubber plate and slide plastic tool along upper side of the rubber plate
The bottom side of the plate has plastic clips (third image). Trying to push plastic tool too hard in lower part may result in damaging plastic clips
Remove the rubber plate

Unclip ONE of top left/right clips holding back plate to display frame
Do not push in any of red circled holes - it may break ribbon cables, display or front glass

Push gently on the clip to allow flat plastic tool to be inserted on the corner of the device
Pushing too hard or pushing in holes circled red in last step may result in damage
Insert flat plastic tool between the rubber glass frame and the back panel

The bottom part of the device will come loose allowing you to place finger between the case and the display assembly
Unclip hidden clips on left or right side and continue to opposite side. Plastic flat tool may come in handy here
You can insert plastic tools up to 2 cm / 1 inch inside and not damage anything. Third image will guide you through clips and other obstacles
Unclip all twelve clips. Keep one hand on the display to decrease display bending and second to slowly lift the back cover.
There is nothing connected to the back panel - no need to worry about hidden flex/ribbon cables
Remove the back cover

Remove the shielding and various tape strips holding cables
Pulling too fast and/or too hard may disconnect cables with the shielding or tape strips causing them to be damaged or even damage cable connectors on the mainboard

Remove thermal pads
You can place thermal pads onto the back plate, as there are special holes for every of them

Remove the digitizer board cable
Try to hold it as near the plastic connector as possible and then pull it towards the digitizer board
Do not pull by the middle or opposite end of the cable

Remove the adhesive from the mainboard
Do not remove it entirely - it's a part of the cable
Slide the cable towards the mainboard by holding it as near the connector as possible
Do not pull by the middle or other end of the cable
If cable seems hard to remove, try to push one side of the connector using a pair of tweezers by spots marked on third image
Do not push center part of the connector as it can be easily bent
Repeat the steps for another end of the cable connected to the mainboard

Remove the display connector
Press on the latch on left or right side of the cable
Slide one part of the cable just a bit
Repeat steps for the other side of the cable
Slide out the cable
If you wish to replace the cable, steps to disconnect the cable from the LCD display are the same as digitizer cable from last step
Do not pull by the cable - try holding onto the plug

Remove the mainboard by sliding it forward and then lift it up
Watch out for three clips holding the mainboard on the bottom side of the tablet

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