When a laptop breaks, most people assume it can be fixed. The data suggests otherwise.

Repairability scores from teardown specialists at iFixit show a wide gap in how laptops are designed (not just across brands, but within them). 

On a scale from 0 to 10, where 10 is the easiest to repair, many popular laptops cluster at the bottom of the repairability scores.

iFixit ‌publishes repair guides and sells parts and tools for consumer electronic devices, but also provides ratings for how easy items are to fix and keep running.

TL;DR

• Across the dataset, Lenovo’s ThinkPad line consistently ranks among the most repairable laptops (scoring between 8 and 10). 
• While older devices are sometimes assumed to be easier to fix, the data does not fully support that idea.

For context, the iFixit methodology involves engineers taking apart devices and assessing how easy it is to replace parts like batteries, keyboards, and storage.

Apple sits at the opposite end

Most MacBook models in the dataset score between 1 and 5, with several landing at the very bottom. 

The MacBook Pro 15-inch Retina models, for example, score as low as 1. Even newer Touch Bar versions don’t fare much better. Across years and product lines, the pattern is consistent. Apple laptops are among the hardest to repair.

That contrast points to a deeper divide in how laptops are built.

Business laptops (like Lenovo’s ThinkPads and HP’s EliteBooks) are designed with maintenance in mind. In offices and large organizations, devices are expected to last for years. 

A repairable design makes those fixes faster and cheaper.

Consumer laptops follow a different logic.

Thin designs, sealed components, and glued parts make devices lighter and sleeker, but also harder to open and fix. 

1. Microsoft’s Surface Laptop 3 scores a 5, placing it in the mid-range despite its premium positioning. 
2. Dell’s XPS 13 scores a 7, indicating moderate repairability, while other Dell models, like the Latitude E5270, reach a score of 10. 
3. HP shows a similar spread: its EliteBook series scores between 9 and 10, while other models drop to 6.

Brand alone does not determine repairability. Product line matters more.

Even within the same company, design priorities differ. 

Enterprise-focused devices tend to score higher because they are built for durability and serviceability. Consumer-focused models often score lower because they emphasize portability and aesthetics.

Most Repairable Laptops

The Framework Laptop stands out with a perfect score of 10. 

Unlike most manufacturers, Framework explicitly designs its laptops to be modular. Users can swap out ports, upgrade components, and replace parts with minimal tools. 

Another surprise is the LG Gram 15, which scores a 9. 

Known for its lightweight design, it shows that portability does not always have to come at the expense of repairability. That runs against the common assumption that thinner devices are always harder to fix.

Still, these examples are exceptions.

Most laptops in the dataset fall somewhere between difficult and very difficult to repair. 

Scores below 5 are common, especially among consumer-oriented models. 

The older the model, the easier to fix?

While older devices are sometimes assumed to be easier to fix, the data does not fully support that idea. 

Several older MacBook models from the early 2010s still score poorly, suggesting that design choices are the bigger factor.

The implications go beyond convenience.

Repairability affects how long a device lasts, how much it costs to maintain, and whether it ends up as electronic waste. 

A laptop that cannot be easily opened or repaired is more likely to be replaced entirely when something goes wrong. That increases costs for users and contributes to growing e-waste globally.

The Bigger Picture

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2022, an estimated 62 million tonnes of e-waste were produced globally. 

These concerns are becoming more visible as the “right to repair” movement gains traction. 

Advocates argue that consumers should have easier access to parts, tools, and information needed to fix their own devices. 

Data like this adds weight to that argument by showing just how difficult many products are to repair in practice.

ELI5

Lenovo, along with a handful of other manufacturers focused on business users, continues to lead in building laptops that can be repaired and kept running. Apple, despite its dominance in the consumer market, consistently ranks among the least repairable.

Source: 

Ifixit Repairability Scores