Apple received the lowest laptop grade in U.S. PIRG Education Fund’s 2026 repairability scorecard: C-minus. Lenovo also ranked near the bottom, but the result does not mean every MacBook or Lenovo laptop is equally difficult to fix. PIRG assessed a limited sample of recent models using repairability information published on manufacturers’ French websites, so buyers should compare the exact model and generation they are considering.
What the 2026 rankings say about Apple and Lenovo
| Brand | 2026 result reported | What the result does—and does not—establish |
|---|---|---|
| Apple | C-minus, the lowest laptop grade in U.S. PIRG Education Fund’s 2026 scorecard, as reported by Ars Technica. | Apple received the lowest grade among the laptops assessed. It is a brand-level result from a limited sample, not a score for every MacBook model or generation. |
| Lenovo | Near the bottom of the laptop table; a specific grade is not stated in the Ars Technica report summarized here. | The result describes PIRG’s sampled laptops, not Lenovo’s entire range. Lenovo disputed the breadth of the analysis and pointed to its service documentation, parts access, and relationship with iFixit. |
For its 2026 scorecard, PIRG assessed the 10 newest laptops available in January through each manufacturer’s French website. France requires repairability disclosures for covered electronics, which gave the researchers information to compare. That sampling method makes the grade useful as a warning about brand-level repairability, but it is not a head-to-head test of every model sold in every country.
How PIRG judged repairability—and where the limits are
The scorecard combines documentation, ease of disassembly, spare-parts availability and pricing, device-specific factors, trade-association membership, and support for right-to-repair legislation. Disassembly carries extra weight because a repair is not practical if opening the computer is itself a major obstacle.
The 2025 edition found laptop repairability broadly stagnant and said Apple performed worst by far on ease of disassembly. That earlier result provides context for the 2026 ranking, but neither edition proves how difficult a repair will be on a particular laptop in a particular region.
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Brand averages can conceal meaningful differences between models. iFixit assesses individual laptops on a zero-to-ten repairability scale using teardown-based evaluations. Its database includes Apple models with service instructions and parts access, as well as ThinkPad models with substantially stronger repairability scores than a brand-level grade might suggest. Check the precise model and generation rather than treating either company’s name as a substitute for model-level evidence.
Are MacBooks hard to repair?
The 2026 grade and PIRG’s earlier disassembly finding are reasons to scrutinize a MacBook before buying, especially if you expect to do repairs yourself. But “MacBook” covers different designs: a model with a more modular layout can be easier to service than an older design that uses extensive adhesive or soldered components. The brand result alone does not settle the repairability of a specific machine.
Rank #2
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Before purchase, look for a teardown or repairability assessment for the exact generation, then check Apple’s service instructions and whether the parts needed for your likely repairs are available where you live. A published repair route is useful, but it does not by itself show that every part is independently replaceable or that a do-it-yourself repair will be straightforward.
Are Lenovo laptops repairable, and is a ThinkPad easier to fix than a MacBook?
Lenovo’s near-bottom result should not be read as a verdict on its full catalogue. A ThinkPad designed for field replacement may be materially different from a thin consumer IdeaPad. Lenovo also said the PIRG sample covered only a limited subset of its products and did not represent its full portfolio; the company cited its service documentation, parts access, and iFixit relationship.
There is no reliable universal answer to whether a ThinkPad repairs better than a MacBook. Compare the particular ThinkPad and MacBook generations: their teardown findings, component modularity, available manuals and parts, and any restrictions on replacement. A ThinkPad’s product-family reputation or a MacBook’s brand grade cannot establish the outcome for two unspecified models.
What to check before choosing a laptop you may need to fix
- How it opens: Check the screw types and number, whether adhesive is used, and whether reaching the first serviceable component requires destructive removal.
- Which parts are modular: Verify separately whether the battery, keyboard, ports, fan, display, storage, and memory can be replaced. A repairable battery does not imply upgradeable memory or storage.
- Whether instructions and parts are accessible: Look for a free service manual, genuine parts for your region, realistic availability, and parts pricing. Availability in one country does not guarantee availability in another.
- What can restrict a repair: Check for soldered memory or storage, software locks, parts pairing, calibration requirements, and proprietary tools. These can limit a repair even when the case opens easily.
- Which service routes are supported: Compare manufacturer service, authorized third-party repair, and self-repair options, including the effect on warranty and any accidental-damage coverage.
- Whether the evidence matches the exact model: Prefer a model- and generation-specific teardown or repairability score over a brand-wide ranking.
Can you replace the battery, SSD, RAM, keyboard, or screen yourself?
It depends on the exact laptop and component. Before assuming a part is user-replaceable, confirm that it is modular, that the manufacturer or a credible teardown documents the procedure, and that compatible parts are available for your region. Memory and storage may be soldered; other parts may require adhesive removal, pairing, calibration, or specialized tools. Do not infer that a battery, SSD, RAM module, keyboard, or screen can be swapped just because another model in the same product family allows it.
Rank #4
A precision laptop repair tool kit can help with opening and inspecting a computer, but tools cannot make a soldered, glued, paired, or undocumented component user-replaceable. Choose tools only after checking the repair procedure for your model.
Lucas Rockett Gutterman, Designed to Last campaign director at U.S. PIRG Education Fund, said: “Consumers pay good money for their laptops, and they deserve ones that can be fixed if they break.”
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