dismantling a G4 mini case is a pain though.
Not so much a pain… really depends on how you go about it. (Carefully.)
Using a Maxcraft single-edged razor blade paint scraper to begin the initial spread between the base and the upper case, I then use either a simple putty knife or the concrete-tool margin trowel to work my way around, prying the base up and away from the case as I go.
You could probably use a single edged razor blade alone, just to barely pry enough space to enter the putty knife or the trowel to start this… but some sort of holder for the blade is safer. The 2 inch wide margin trowel seems to work easiest for me. The small putty knife shown here would be better if it were 2 inches, or wider. I have used larger.
Now, you can either go around all three sides in this manner or, once you get one side up and part of the front… you can some times pry up from the back plastic I/O area to pop the whole case up and loose. And, you really don’t need the razor blade after you get one side up.
*Anything other than using a small flat-edge screwdriver that scars and marrs the surfaces.