A recent analysis by US Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) Education Fund reveals that Apple and Lenovo rank lowest in laptop repairability among major manufacturers, raising concerns about device longevity and repair accessibility.
The report, titled "Failing the Fix," evaluated the most recent devices from popular brands available in January 2025. While mobile phone repairability has improved, laptop repairability remains stagnant across manufacturers.
Lenovo received a failing grade primarily due to lack of transparency. The company failed to provide French repairability index scores for 12 out of 13 models available in both US and French markets. This information gap makes it impossible to properly assess their devices' true repairability status.
Apple, despite showing some improvement from last year, scored poorly due to MacBook disassembly challenges. The company's overall repairability score increased from 4.3 to 5.1, partly due to their support of California's right-to-repair legislation. However, Apple recorded the second-lowest disassembly score of 97, well below industry standards.
In contrast, Asus and Acer emerged as industry leaders in laptop repairability, primarily due to their products' ease of disassembly.
The scoring system incorporated French Repairability Index scores and isolated disassembly scores, with additional adjustments based on manufacturers' stance on right-to-repair legislation. Companies lost points for membership in industry groups opposing such legislation.
The findings highlight ongoing challenges in laptop repairability, which could become increasingly relevant as device costs rise and supply chain disruptions affect availability. Limited access to repair information and materials can impact both individual consumers and small repair businesses, potentially making repairs more expensive and less accessible.
Lucas Gutterman, director of US PIRG's Designed to Last campaign, notes that unclear model names, changing websites, and inadequate technical documentation continue to hinder repair efforts. These obstacles particularly affect consumers seeking affordable technology solutions through repairs or refurbishment.