Apple and Lenovo laptops rank among the hardest to repair, according to a fresh report from a consumer advocacy group. The findings raise fresh doubts about the ease of fixing popular devices in a world pushing for more right-to-repair options.

Apple and Lenovo Struggle with Repair Ratings

Apple earned some of the worst grades for laptop repairability, receiving a C-minus in a recent report by the Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) Education Fund. Lenovo also landed near the bottom. The analysis focused on how easy it's to take apart these machines and how accessible repair information is to the average consumer.

The PIRG report, called “Failing the Fix (2026),” evaluated the 10 newest laptops and cell phones available on the French market in January. France’s repairability index served as the backbone for the assessment. This index is a government-backed rating system requiring manufacturers to display repair scores on products sold in France.

Advocates for right-to-repair think the French rules could work well in other countries too. They argue that consumers everywhere deserve the same level of transparency and support when it comes to fixing their devices.

PIRG mainly looked at how easy it is to physically take laptops apart. That’s what most people think of when they hear “repair score.” Other factors include the availability of repair manuals, spare parts, and their cost relative to the product price.

PIRG also docked points if companies belonged to industry groups opposing right-to-repair laws in the US.

Apple’s disassembly scores were particularly low, with tightly integrated components and tricky internal layouts making repairs difficult. Lenovo’s laptops suffered from similar issues, with limited access to spare parts and repair guides.

Not All Laptop Brands Are Created Equal

While Apple and Lenovo struggled, not every brand fared poorly.

LG, for example, was praised for its laptops’ reliability and durability in a separate 2025 reliability survey by PCMag readers. LG's Gram series earned top marks for build quality, scoring a remarkable 9.6 out of 10, edging out Apple’s 9.3 in reliability ratings.

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But reliability and repairability don’t always match up. A laptop might operate flawlessly for years but still be a nightmare to open or fix. Conversely, a device could be easy to repair but prone to hardware failures. So while LG tops reliability polls, the PIRG report shows it still has room to improve in repair friendliness.

Other brands like MSI and Microsoft fared better than average on repairability, with Microsoft jumping from seventh to fourth in reliability rankings. Samsung's laptops scored lowest in reliability among the surveyed brands, though its numbers weren’t disastrous either.

Apple’s Incremental Progress Thanks to Right-to-Repair Pressure

Apple’s reputation for difficult repairs isn’t new. The company has long been criticized for gluing components together or using proprietary screws that make opening devices a chore. But recent developments suggest some slow change.

Take the new budget MacBook Neo. According to teardown analyses by iFixit, it’s Apple’s most repairable laptop since the 2012 unibody models. The Neo features a screwed-in battery and modular components like USB ports and headphone jacks that are easier to replace.

Most parts become accessible just by removing the bottom cover — a huge step up from earlier models that required near-complete dismantling. That said, iFixit still rated the Neo’s repairability at 6 out of 10, which is decent but far from perfect compared to brands like Framework or Lenovo, which have scored a 10.

The push from right-to-repair laws, especially in Europe, has pushed Apple to change its designs a bit. Pressure from hacker communities and consumer advocates helped push these changes, forcing the tech giant to soften some of its more restrictive policies.

Still, Apple hasn’t embraced user-upgradeable RAM or storage on its newer models, sticking with soldered components that limit DIY fixes. To get that flexibility, you’d have to turn to older MacBooks or specialized brands that cater to repairability.

Why Repairability Matters More Than Ever

These days, devices play a bigger role in our daily lives, for work and fun alike. When a laptop or phone breaks, the consequences can be more than just annoying — they can mean lost time, missed opportunities, or even financial setbacks.

PCMag’s hardware editor Joe Osborne points out that while user care matters, manufacturers ultimately bear responsibility for building devices that last and can be fixed. A reliable, repairable laptop saves consumers money and reduces electronic waste, which is a growing environmental concern globally.

France’s repairability index is an attempt to empower consumers. It rates products on physical ease of repair, availability and cost of spare parts, and repair documentation. PIRG’s report shows that many big brands still lag behind in meeting these standards.

The distrust around Apple and Lenovo’s repair difficulty could push some consumers to consider alternatives with better repair scores and reliability ratings. LG’s strong showing in reliability surveys hints at where buyers might look if they want a dependable machine that’s also somewhat more repair-friendly.

At the same time, more right-to-repair laws and advocacy groups show that people want tech companies to change how they do things. If more manufacturers follow the path of gradual openness, consumers could see better repair options worldwide.

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Apple’s move towards more repairable designs, like the MacBook Neo, shows that pressure from right-to-repair activists can yield results. But the company and Lenovo still have a long way to go before their laptops become truly user-friendly when it comes to repairs. How quickly they adapt could shape the future of device longevity and consumer choice.

This article was created with AI assistance.