24 December 2012 Last updated at 01:22

In pictures: Christmas gadgets in the nude

iPad 4 by iFixit.com

As millions around the world unpack their Christmas gadgets later this week, many may wonder what their beloved new tech toys contain underneath their well-sealed cases. (Picture: Apple iPad 4th generation) (All pictures courtesy of iFixit.com)

Iphone 5

Discovering what lies beneath requires painstaking work. US-based repair specialists iFixit.com regularly publish "teardowns" of the latest kit - a process which can take up to 10 hours.

Nikon D600

"Each teardown presents its own challenges," says Miroslav Djuric iFixit's chief information architect. (Nikon D600)

Playstation Vita

"We create teardowns so people see that the gadgets we own aren't just black boxes full of electronic voodoo magic," Miroslav says. (Playstation Vita)

Playstation Vita

He says he hopes the teardowns show people that devices can be repaired - and that not all faulty items need to be thrown away. (Playstation Vita)

Nintendo Wii U

"When you fix the display on your computer, or simply change the oil on your car, you learn something about how that device works," Miroslav says. (Nintendo Wii U)

Pleo

Most devices do not require any emotional strength to take apart. But others tug at the heartstrings. "Disassembling inanimate iPods is one thing," the iFixIt team said. "But Pleo was more. Ah, Pleo - we hardly knew you."

Ipod Touch 5th generation

Apple products are notoriously hard to repair, but Miroslav says the company still makes "some of the most well-made electronics devices on the market". (iPod touch)

Macbook Pro

More "notoriously hard to repair" Apple products. (Macbook Pro, Retina display)

Kindle 2

In just a few short years, it is clear to see how popular electronics have become more sophisticated. This is Amazon's second generation Kindle e-reader.

Kindle Fire HD

Compared to its older sibling, the Kindle Fire HD is far more hardware-packed - demonstrating innovations that make our devices smaller, lighter and cheaper.

Atari 2600

Rewind over 35 years, and it is clear to see how far consumer electronics has come. This console, the Atari 2600, sold for $199 (£123) when it was released in 1977.

Atari 2600

Unlike the jumble of crammed electronics found in today's consoles, the Atari 2600 has only five core parts and is, Miroslav says, easily repairable.