Apple’s cheapest laptop is also the most repairable. iFixit gave the new MacBook Neo a 6/10 repairability score. Although this number would be only measurable for game reviews or final test grades, it is the highest iFixit score the MacBook line has received in nearly 14 years.
As always, iFixit goes into detail about the repairability of the product, but a few points stand out. First, the MacBook Neo’s battery is screwed instead of glued – taking it from “this could burn the house down” to “routine repair” territory. The laptop also has a flat disassembly tree. This means that its battery, speakers, ports, and trackpad are all immediately accessible after opening the back case.
In other areas, a simplified antenna assembly helps the screen come off cleaner. The keyboard is still a bit difficult to repair (41 screws and tape), but at least it’s not attached to the top case like other models. (The screwed-not-glued battery helps here, too.) Apple’s decision to abandon the Force Touch trackpad and return to the mechanical style also improves repairability. And in a nice touch, all of the machine’s Torx Plus screw sizes are clearly labeled inside the case.
There are several other encouraging signs from recent MacBooks. iFixit found that Apple’s Repair Assistant accepted all replacement parts without any hassle. And its USB-C port and headphone jack are modular, so replacing one of those won’t “fix the logic board.”
Not everything is complicated. As expected, the Neo still has RAM and storage soldered in, so there’s no upgrade path there. iFixit described Apple’s pentalobe screws on the bottom case as an “annoying” choice. And while the device’s speakers are easy to remove, still, they aren’t very good. (That cost had to be cut somewhere.)
While iFixit describes the Neo’s repair as a “genuine comeback,” it’s too early to assume that higher-end MacBooks will follow suit. After all, with this $599 device ($499 for schools), Apple is targeting the educational sector, where repairs could mean more bulk orders. Unless Apple is confident that a MacBook Air or Pro will sell better with similar serviceability, this type of score may be limited to budget models.
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