Arthur Shi

Hello world! I’m Arthur Shi. I’m currently a senior tech writer at iFixit. I use my experience and legacy knowledge to train new tech writers, support day-to-day operations, and maintain the high quality standard for our guides. I continue to write repair guides, perform repairability assessments, and research how tech works.

A day at the office: working on Google Pixel 3 guides

I graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo with a master’s degree in electrical engineering, with a focus on control systems and mechatronics. Along the way, I designed high efficiency DC power circuits, grew organic OLED panels in a vacuum, and programmed a small swarm of robots to autonomously navigate and map out a cluttered room. My thesis work involved training neural networks to detect hidden structural faults in commercial buildings using acceleration sensor data. I enjoy both the theoretical and practical hands-on nature of my degree.

Making single pixel OLED panels in vacuum

I joined iFixit in March 2018 as a technical writer/teardown engineer. I had the illustrious honor of taking countless devices apart, identifying components, figuring out how things work, and showing others how to fix stuff. In addition, I performed electrical analysis and research how emergent tech works.

Much of my time at iFixit was spent instructing people how to fix stuff by writing step-by-step repair guides. So far, I’ve written over 400 guides for devices ranging from Rug Doctors to iPads. As I research, disassemble, and document repair procedures, I’m always learning something new. Working on smartphones necessitated a good understanding of how lithium-ion batteries work; writing Rug Doctor guides taught me how to remove rivets— something I haven’t had to deal with in smartphones…yet.

Installing a rivet onto the Rug Doctor

I enjoy using my electrical engineering background to explain tech in a more accessible manner—like why did Apple throttle old iPhones, what do the chips in a smartphone do, and how do waveguides work.

Identifying chips for the iPhone XS

I believe that the most valuable repair guides are ones that show how to fix everyday items, like Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons and Instant Pots.

Testing an Instant Pot sensor for continuity

I’m curious by nature; I enjoy exploring long-forgotten roads, trying non-mainstream food, and disassembling new smartphones. I like retro, well-designed mechanical devices; I own four typewriters and drive a Suzuki Samurai. My life aspiration is to love God and love others.

Driving the Sammy on Quatal Canyon road

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