Apple MacBook Neo Received Moderate Repairability Score

The latest Apple laptop earned a 6/10 rating from iFixit, highlighting ongoing challenges for consumers hoping to repair their own devices.

Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Appliances

Bold vector editorial illustration showing an opened laptop, a screwdriver, and a mechanical component, representing device repairability challenges. — The new Apple MacBook Neo received a 6/10 repairability score from iFixit, reflecting the growing trend of complex internal hardware design. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Do you consider repairability when purchasing a new laptop?

Apple recently released the MacBook Neo, which secured a 6/10 repairability score from the repair experts at iFixit. This rating follows a trend of lower scores for recent models like the 2025 MacBook Pro 14-inch M5.

Why it matters

Understanding device repairability helps homeowners manage long-term electronics costs and environmental impact. The low scores suggest that internal components are increasingly difficult for consumers or independent shops to access and service.

The MacBook Neo earned a 6/10 repairability score, while the 2025 MacBook Pro 14-inch M5 and MacBook Air 13-inch M4 scored 4/10 and 5/10 respectively. These figures are significantly lower than the 7/10 achieved by the 2012 MacBook Pro 15-inch Unibody.

The players

Apple

A global technology company known for designing consumer electronics and home computing hardware.

iFixit

An online community and organization that provides repair guides and evaluates the repairability of consumer devices.

US PIRG

A consumer advocacy organization that publishes reports on corporate practices, including the Failing the Fix series.

The details

The repairability scores are calculated by iFixit based on the ease of internal disassembly and part replacement. According to the US PIRG Failing the Fix report, Apple has ranked last for repairability among major brands in 2025 and 2026. This trend reflects structural design choices that prioritize sleek aesthetics over the ability to open or swap out hardware components.

Mid 2012 marked the release of the highly-rated MacBook Pro 15-inch Unibody.
2025 saw the release of the 14-inch M5 MacBook Pro and an annual repairability ranking.
2026 marked a year where Apple again ranked last for repairability.

The Home Front

The steady decline in device repairability marks a clear departure from the design standards seen in 2012-era hardware. This shift significantly impacts the household cost of ownership, as consumers face limited options for extending the life of their home computing equipment.

When purchasing new home electronics, research the repairability score of a specific model to understand the potential for future maintenance costs. Consider checking third-party repair resources before committing to a device that may be difficult to service outside of official channels.

The takeaway

The recent scores indicate that modern laptops are increasingly designed as sealed units rather than modular tools. Before purchasing your next home computer, keep these repairability ratings in mind as a proxy for how long the device can realistically remain in your household rotation.