diff --git a/spyderlib/__init__.py b/spyderlib/__init__.py
index 4a1ed6961d7..0f0cc792f74 100644
--- a/spyderlib/__init__.py
+++ b/spyderlib/__init__.py
@@ -61,11 +61,6 @@ def get_versions(reporev=True):
     """Get version information for components used by Spyder"""
     import sys
     import platform
-    # Hack to let IPython set QT_API, in case it's installed
-    try:
-        from IPython.external import qt
-    except ImportError:
-        pass
     import spyderlib.qt
     import spyderlib.qt.QtCore
 
diff --git a/spyderlib/ipythonconfig.py b/spyderlib/ipythonconfig.py
index ef177145520..75875f93f72 100644
--- a/spyderlib/ipythonconfig.py
+++ b/spyderlib/ipythonconfig.py
@@ -9,10 +9,19 @@
 """
 
 from spyderlib.utils import programs
+from spyderlib import dependencies
+from spyderlib.baseconfig import _
 
+IPYTHON_REQVER = '>=0.13'
+ZMQ_REQVER = '>=2.1.11'
+
+dependencies.add("IPython", _("IPython Console integration"),
+                 required_version=IPYTHON_REQVER)
+dependencies.add("zmq", _("IPython Console integration"),
+                 required_version=ZMQ_REQVER)
 
 def is_qtconsole_installed():
-    pyzmq_installed = programs.is_module_installed('zmq')
+    pyzmq_installed = programs.is_module_installed('zmq', version=ZMQ_REQVER)
     if programs.is_module_installed('IPython.qt') and pyzmq_installed:
         return True
     elif programs.is_module_installed('IPython.frontend.qt') and \
@@ -21,5 +30,4 @@ def is_qtconsole_installed():
     else:
         return False
 
-SUPPORTED_IPYTHON = '>=0.13'
 IPYTHON_QT_INSTALLED = is_qtconsole_installed()
diff --git a/spyderlib/qt/__init__.py b/spyderlib/qt/__init__.py
index 8c8a6bed8ce..6c71c1f4931 100644
--- a/spyderlib/qt/__init__.py
+++ b/spyderlib/qt/__init__.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 # -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 #
-# Copyright © 2011 Pierre Raybaut
+# Copyright © 2011-2012 Pierre Raybaut
+#           © 2012-2014 anatoly techtonik
 # Licensed under the terms of the MIT License
 # (see spyderlib/__init__.py for details)
 
@@ -15,16 +16,18 @@
 API_NAME = {'pyqt': 'PyQt4', 'pyside': 'PySide'}[API]
 
 if API == 'pyqt':
-    # We do not force QString, QVariant, ... API to #1 or #2 anymore 
-    # as spyderlib is now compatible with both APIs
-#    import sip
-#    try:
-#        sip.setapi('QString', 2)
-#        sip.setapi('QVariant', 2)
-#    except AttributeError:
-#        # PyQt < v4.6: in future version, we should warn the user 
-#        # that PyQt is outdated and won't be supported by Spyder >v2.1
-#        pass
+    # Spyder 2.3 is compatible with both #1 and #2 PyQt API,
+    # but to avoid issues with IPython and other Qt plugins
+    # we choose to support only API #2 for 2.4+
+    import sip
+    try:
+        sip.setapi('QString', 2)
+        sip.setapi('QVariant', 2)
+    except AttributeError:
+        # PyQt < v4.6. The actual check is done by requirements.check_qt()
+        # call from spyder.py
+        pass
+
     try:
         from PyQt4.QtCore import PYQT_VERSION_STR as __version__
     except ImportError:
@@ -32,7 +35,6 @@
         API = os.environ['QT_API'] = 'pyside'
         API_NAME = 'PySide'
     else:
-        __version_info__ = tuple(__version__.split('.')+['final', 1])
         is_old_pyqt = __version__.startswith(('4.4', '4.5', '4.6', '4.7'))
         is_pyqt46 = __version__.startswith('4.6')
         import sip
diff --git a/spyderlib/spyder.py b/spyderlib/spyder.py
index 9ee58958b66..ff7da04323d 100644
--- a/spyderlib/spyder.py
+++ b/spyderlib/spyder.py
@@ -38,35 +38,6 @@
 ORIGINAL_SYS_EXIT = sys.exit
 
 
-#==============================================================================
-# Test if IPython v0.13+ is installed to eventually switch to PyQt API #2
-#==============================================================================
-from spyderlib.baseconfig import _
-from spyderlib.ipythonconfig import IPYTHON_QT_INSTALLED, SUPPORTED_IPYTHON
-from spyderlib import dependencies
-
-dependencies.add("IPython", _("IPython Console integration"),
-                 required_version=SUPPORTED_IPYTHON)
-dependencies.add("zmq", _("IPython Console integration"),
-                 required_version='>=2.1.11')
-
-if IPYTHON_QT_INSTALLED:
-    # Importing IPython will eventually set the QT_API environment variable
-    import IPython  # analysis:ignore
-    if os.environ.get('QT_API', 'pyqt') == 'pyqt':
-        # If PyQt is the selected GUI toolkit (at this stage, only the
-        # bootstrap script has eventually set this option), switch to 
-        # PyQt API #2 by simply importing the IPython qt module
-        os.environ['QT_API'] = 'pyqt'
-        try:
-            from IPython.external import qt  #analysis:ignore
-        except ImportError:
-            # Avoid raising any error here: the spyderlib.requirements module
-            # will take care of it, in a user-friendly way (Tkinter message box
-            # if no GUI toolkit is installed)
-            pass
-
-
 #==============================================================================
 # Check requirements
 #==============================================================================
@@ -76,7 +47,7 @@
 
 
 #==============================================================================
-# Windows platforms only: support for hiding the attached console window
+# Windows only: support for hiding console window when started with python.exe
 #==============================================================================
 set_attached_console_visible = None
 is_attached_console_visible = None
@@ -116,9 +87,7 @@
 
 
 #==============================================================================
-# Initial splash screen to reduce perceived startup time. 
-# It blends with the one of MainWindow (i.e. self.splash) and it's hidden
-# just before that one.
+# Splash screen 
 #==============================================================================
 from spyderlib.baseconfig import _, get_image_path
 SPLASH_APP = QApplication([''])
@@ -142,6 +111,8 @@
                                   running_in_mac_app)
 from spyderlib.config import CONF, EDIT_EXT, IMPORT_EXT, OPEN_FILES_PORT
 from spyderlib.cli_options import get_options
+from spyderlib import dependencies
+from spyderlib.ipythonconfig import IPYTHON_QT_INSTALLED
 from spyderlib.userconfig import NoDefault
 from spyderlib.utils import encoding, programs
 from spyderlib.utils.iofuncs import load_session, save_session, reset_session