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How we rate notebook computers

We all want our devices to be easier to repair—after all, repairability is synonymous with longevity. As much as we wish everything could score a ten, only some will walk away victorious. What makes a repairable device?

To start, points are docked based on how difficult it is to open the device. If you can’t open it, how can you repair it? Once inside, we note what types of fasteners are used. Proprietary screws or glues? Yuck! Phillips screws? Better!

As we continue to examine the device’s internals, evidence of easy-to-swap modular parts, prioritized access to often-replaced components, and upgradeability put big smiles on our faces and more points on the scoreboard. Finally, to score that perfect 10, the device must also have a free, public service manual available from the manufacturer.

Which devices earned our fixer seal of approval? Check out our laptop repair score list below, and take a look at smartphone repair scores, and tablet repair scores for more product recommendations.

Sort by: Release | Score

Framework Laptop
Framework Laptop
  • Every important component in the laptop is easy to access and replace.
  • Inside the laptop, most components are helpfully labeled to help orient and guide the fixer.
  • The Framework Laptop repair guides are free and easily accessible, and Framework is already selling spare parts right on their website.

10
HP EliteBook 850 G5
HP EliteBook 850 G5

10
HP EliteBook 840 G6
HP EliteBook 840 G6

10
HP EliteBook 840 G3
HP EliteBook 840 G3

10
Dell Latitude E5270
Dell Latitude E5270

10
HP EliteBook 840 Aero G8
HP EliteBook 840 Aero G8
  • The RAM, SSD, battery, and display are well-prioritized, easily accessible, and quickly removable.
  • Almost all moving parts, including the speakers, touchpad, and fan are modular and can all be independently replaced.
  • Many cables use fragile ZIF connectors.

9
HP EliteBook 840 G7
HP EliteBook 840 G7

9
HP EliteBook x360 830 G7
HP EliteBook x360 830 G7

9
HP ProBook 440 G7
HP ProBook 440 G7

9
HP EliteBook x360 830 G5
HP EliteBook x360 830 G5

9
HP EliteBook x360 830 G6
HP EliteBook x360 830 G6

9
HP EliteBook 1050 G1
HP EliteBook 1050 G1

9
LG Gram 15"
LG Gram 15"

9
Samsung Series 9 15"
Samsung Series 9 15"

9
Asus Chromebook C202
Asus Chromebook C202
  • Intuitive, uncomplicated design makes disassembly straightforward and reversible.
  • Modular components means many repairs can be carried out by quickly swapping a failed part.
  • Only Phillips #1 and #00 screws are used.

9
Acer Predator 17.3"
Acer Predator 17.3"

8
Asus Zenbook UX32VD
Asus Zenbook UX32VD
  • All the components are easy to access, with no proprietary screws inhibiting access.
  • The battery is not glued in place, and a person equipped with the right tools can replace it in a matter of minutes.
  • A lot of components were held in place with more adhesive than is necessary.

8
Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3
Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3
  • Most repairs are very straightforward and require only basic tools.
  • The keyboard replacement procedure is best in class.
  • Partially soldered memory and I/O ports hinder certain repairs.

7
Dell XPS 13
Dell XPS 13

7
Dell Inspiron Duo
Dell Inspiron Duo
  • Much of the internal hardware is not only user-replaceable, but is also easy purchased from Dell or a third party vendor.
  • Almost the entire computer can be taken apart with a plastic opening tool (or two) and a Phillips #0 screwdriver.
  • You have to remove the top case to access the battery, which is shameful for a Dell product.

7
MacBook Pro 15" Unibody Mid 2012
MacBook Pro 15" Unibody Mid 2012
  • Easily removable bottom panel and readily accessible battery, optical drive, hard drive, fans, and RAM.
  • Standard screws were used for all components, save for the battery.
  • Tri-wing screws on the battery require a specialty driver that an average user may not have.

7
MacBook Pro 15" Unibody Early 2011
MacBook Pro 15" Unibody Early 2011
  • Easily removable bottom panel and readily accessible battery connector allow for easy repair of most components without touching the battery screws.
  • Unibody design allows for easy access of most components with minimal amounts of extra work needed to get to them.
  • Tri-wing screws limit the average person from replacing their own battery.

7
HP Elitebook x360 1040 G5
HP Elitebook x360 1040 G5

6
Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 15"
Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 15"
  • The firmly glued-down battery will be very difficult to service when it inevitably goes kaput.
  • Torx Plus screws call for relatively rare drivers, but our standard Torx drivers worked in a pinch.
  • The opening procedure is straightforward, with a clever design that represents a dramatic improvement over its predecessors.

5
MacBook Air 13" Early 2015
MacBook Air 13" Early 2015
  • Proprietary screws on the case require the right screwdriver.
  • All the components—including RAM and SSD—are proprietary.
  • Once you manage to take off the bottom cover, all the parts are pretty easily replaceable.

4
MacBook Air 11" Early 2015
MacBook Air 11" Early 2015
  • The outer case is held on with Apple's proprietary Pentalobe screws, so you'll need the right screwdriver to get inside.
  • Just like the screws, all the components—including the RAM and SSD—are proprietary, making replacement parts more difficult to source.
  • Once you get past the outer case, all the major components are fairly easy to access for replacement.

4
MacBook Air 11" Mid 2013
MacBook Air 11" Mid 2013
  • The outer case is held on with Apple's proprietary Pentalobe screws, so you'll need the right screwdriver to get inside.
  • Just like the screws, all the components—including the RAM and SSD—are proprietary, making replacement parts more difficult to source.
  • Once you get past the outer case, all the major components are fairly easy to access for replacement.

4
MacBook Air 13" Mid 2013
MacBook Air 13" Mid 2013
  • Proprietary screws on the case require the right screwdriver.
  • All the components—including RAM and SSD—are proprietary.
  • Once you manage to take off the bottom cover, all the parts are pretty easily replaceable.

4
MacBook Air 13" Mid 2012
MacBook Air 13" Mid 2012
  • Proprietary screws on the case require the right screwdriver.
  • All the components—including RAM and SSD—are proprietary.
  • Once you manage to take off the bottom cover, all the parts are pretty easily replaceable.

4
MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011
MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011
  • Opening the bottom cover is quite difficult if you don't have the right screwdriver. It's clear that Apple didn't want people to open their machine.
  • All the components -- including RAM and SSD -- are proprietary, meaning that no off-the-shelf parts will work in it without serious rigging.
  • Once you manage to take off the bottom cover, all the parts are pretty easily replaceable.

4
MacBook Air 11" Late 2010
MacBook Air 11" Late 2010
  • Opening the bottom cover is quite difficult if you don't have the right screwdriver. It's clear that Apple didn't want people to open their machine.
  • All the components -- including RAM and hard drive -- are proprietary, meaning that no off-the-shelf parts will work in it without serious rigging.
  • Once you manage to take off the bottom cover, all the parts are pretty easily replaceable.

4
MacBook Air 13” Retina Display Late 2018
MacBook Air 13” Retina Display Late 2018
  • The keyboard is integrated into the top case, requiring a full teardown for service.
  • Soldered, non-serviceable, non-upgradeable storage and RAM is a serious bummer on a $1,200+ laptop.
  • Many components are modular and straightforward to access—including the ports, fan, and speakers.

3
MacBook Pro 13" Two Thunderbolt Ports 2019
MacBook Pro 13" Two Thunderbolt Ports 2019
  • Proprietary pentalobe screws continue to be hostile to repair.
  • The battery assembly is still very solidly glued into the case, complicating replacement of a consumable.
  • Soldered-down RAM limits upgradability and longevity.

2
MacBook Pro 13" Function Keys Late 2016
MacBook Pro 13" Function Keys Late 2016
  • Proprietary pentalobe screws continue to make opening the device unnecessarily difficult.
  • The battery assembly is entirely, and very solidly, glued into the case, thus complicating replacement.
  • The RAM is soldered to the logic board. Pay for the upgrade now, or be stuck with 8 GB forever. There is no chance of upgrade.

2
MacBook Pro 13" Retina Display Late 2012
MacBook Pro 13" Retina Display Late 2012
  • The battery is still glued into the laptop's top case, but it's slightly less difficult to remove compared to the 15" model.
  • Proprietary pentalobe screws prevent you from gaining access to anything inside.
  • The RAM is surface-mount soldered to the logic board, so no upgrade is possible. It will forever have 8 GB of RAM.

2
MacBook Pro 16" 2019
MacBook Pro 16" 2019
  • Minor components are modular, but the processor, RAM, and flash memory are soldered to the logic board.
  • Glue and/or rivets secure the keyboard, battery, speakers, and Touch Bar, making those components a tricky fix.
  • The Touch ID sensor is the power switch and is locked to the logic board, greatly complicating repairs.

1
MacBook Pro 15" Touch Bar 2019
MacBook Pro 15" Touch Bar 2019
  • The processor, RAM, and flash memory are soldered to the logic board. Repairs and upgrades will be impractical at best.
  • The top case assembly, including the keyboard, battery, speakers, and Touch Bar, is glued together—making all those components impractical to replace separately.
  • The Touch ID sensor doubles as the power switch, and is paired with the T2 chip on the logic board. Fixing a broken power switch may require help from Apple, or a new logic board.

1
MacBook Pro 15" Touch Bar 2018
MacBook Pro 15" Touch Bar 2018
  • The processor, RAM, and flash memory are soldered to the logic board. Repairs and upgrades will be impractical at best.
  • The top case assembly, which includes the keyboard, battery, and speakers, is firmly glued in place—making all those components hard to replace separately.
  • The Touch ID sensor doubles as the power switch, and is paired with the T2 chip on the logic board. Fixing a broken power switch may require help from Apple, or a new logic board.

1
MacBook Pro 13" Touch Bar 2018
MacBook Pro 13" Touch Bar 2018
  • The processor, RAM, and flash memory are soldered to the logic board. Repairs and upgrades will be impractical at best.
  • The top case assembly, which includes the keyboard, battery, and speakers, is glued together—making all those components impractical to replace separately.
  • The Touch ID sensor doubles as the power switch, and is paired with the T2 chip on the logic board. Fixing a broken power switch may require help from Apple, or a new logic board.

1
MacBook Pro 13" Touch Bar 2017
MacBook Pro 13" Touch Bar 2017
  • Proprietary pentalobe screws continue to make working on the device unnecessarily difficult.
  • The battery assembly is entirely, and very solidly, glued into the case, thus complicating replacement.
  • The processor, RAM, and flash memory are soldered to the logic board.

1
Retina MacBook 2017
Retina MacBook 2017
  • The processor, RAM, and flash memory are still soldered to the logic board.
  • A large amount of strong adhesive holds the battery assembly to the lower case .
  • The Retina display is a fused unit with no separate, protective glass. If the display is damaged, it'll be arduous and expensive to repair.

1
MacBook Pro 15" Touch Bar Late 2016
MacBook Pro 15" Touch Bar Late 2016
  • Use of proprietary pentalobe screws makes servicing and repair unnecessarily difficult.
  • The entire battery assembly is strongly glued into the case, complicating replacement.
  • The processor, RAM, and flash memory are soldered to the logic board.

1
MacBook Pro 13" Touch Bar Late 2016
MacBook Pro 13" Touch Bar Late 2016
  • Proprietary pentalobe screws continue to make working on the device unnecessarily difficult.
  • The battery assembly is entirely, and very solidly, glued into the case, thus complicating replacement.
  • The processor, RAM, and flash memory are soldered to the logic board.

1
Retina MacBook 2016
Retina MacBook 2016
  • The processor, RAM, and flash memory are still soldered to the logic board.
  • The battery assembly remains entirely, and very solidly, glued into the lower case.
  • The Retina display is still a fused unit with no separate, protective glass. If the display needs replacing, it'll cost a pretty penny.

1
Retina MacBook 2015
Retina MacBook 2015
  • Proprietary pentalobe screws continue to make opening the device unnecessarily difficult, and new cable routing makes the procedure even trickier.
  • The USB-C port is secured by tri-wing screws, and buried under the display brackets, complicating replacement. Also, being the only port, it will experience more use and wear than a typical single-purpose port.
  • The battery assembly is entirely, and very solidly, glued into the lower case.

1
MacBook Pro 13" Retina Display Early 2015
MacBook Pro 13" Retina Display Early 2015
  • Proprietary pentalobe screws continue to make opening the device unnecessarily difficult.
  • The battery assembly is entirely, and very solidly, glued into the case, thus complicating replacement. Additionally, the battery covers the screws holding the trackpad in place, meaning it's impossible to replace the trackpad without first removing the battery.
  • The Retina display is a fused unit with no separate, protective glass. If anything ever fails inside the display, the entire ($$$) assembly will need to be replaced.

1
MacBook Pro 13" Retina Display Late 2013
MacBook Pro 13" Retina Display Late 2013
  • Proprietary pentalobe screws continue to make opening the device unnecessarily difficult.
  • The battery assembly is now entirely, and very solidly, glued into the case, thus complicating replacement. Additionally, the battery now covers the screws and cable holding the trackpad in place. It is impossible to replace the trackpad without first removing the battery.
  • The Retina display is a fused unit with no protective glass. If anything ever fails inside the display, the entire ($$$) assembly will need to be replaced.

1
MacBook Pro 15" Retina Display Late 2013
MacBook Pro 15" Retina Display Late 2013
  • Proprietary pentalobe screws prevent you from gaining access to anything inside.
  • As in the MacBook Air, the RAM is soldered to the logic board. Max out at 16GB now, or forever hold your peace—you can't upgrade.
  • The proprietary SSD has changed to a PCIe format, but still isn't a standard 2.5" drive. However, it is a separate daughtercard, and we’re hopeful we can offer an upgrade in the near future.

1
MacBook Pro 15" Retina Display Mid 2012
MacBook Pro 15" Retina Display Mid 2012
  • Proprietary pentalobe screws prevent you from gaining access to anything inside.
  • As in the MacBook Air, the RAM is soldered to the logic board. Max out at 16GB now, or forever hold your peace—you can't upgrade.
  • The proprietary SSD isn't upgradeable either (yet), as it is similar but not identical to the one in the Air. It is a separate daughtercard, and we’re hopeful we can offer an upgrade in the near future.

1