Laptops are getting more upgradeable & repairable, but why now?

It’s profitable to both consumers and manufacturers

4 min. read

Published onMay 9, 2024

published onMay 9, 2024

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In the last few years, we have seen laptops becoming more repairable and easier to upgrade. Gone are the days when you had to contact that manufacturer for every issue. Now, self-repair and third-party repairs are just as common and surprisingly easy!

The shift is visible across manufacturers. We had previously reported that you caneasily replace components onSurface Pro 10andSurface Laptop 6. And Microsoft isn’t the only one driving the change. Lenovo’s latestThinkPad T14 G5andThinkPad T14s Gen 5are easily repairable. Even the premiumDell XPSseries was hailed for repairability.

The latest in the list that has sparked theRight-to-Repairdebate is Lenovo’sThinkPad P1 (Gen 7). The ultra-repairable laptop features LPCAMM2(Low-Power Compression-Attached Memory Module), a design upgrade that places LPDDR close to the CPU, allowing easy removal and repair, asexplained by iFixit. And the best part is that you don’t have to compromise on performance!

Why are manufacturers bringing more repairable laptops?

For a very long time, we were at the mercy of manufacturers when it came to repairing laptops. But in the last decade or so, theRight-to-Repaircampaign gained traction, withiFixitplaying a major role in creating awareness around the idea.

Soon, we hadRight-to-Repairlegislation in different parts of the globe. California, for instance, became the third state in the US, after New York and Minnesota, to pass theRight-to-RepairAct last year. In Europe, France was among the first countries to introduce aRepairability Indexfor consumer devices.

As the governments bring more laws, manufacturers are forced to alter the PC’s design and ensure easy repairability. If they fail to do so, it’s quite simply their loss because repairable alternatives now exist. And given the increased transparency around the level of repairability, it’s easier than ever for buyers to choose the right product!

Increased awareness amongst buyers also forced manufacturers to switch to easily repairable designs. In ourRight-to-Repairsurvey, 80% of the respondents said that they are more likely to buy a device that’s easier to repair and 83% advocated for government regulations to enforce the right to repair laptops.

In the last few years, we have seen companies like Microsoft, Lenovo, and Dell introduce devices featuring a design that’s easy to disassemble. Apple, on the other hand, has yet to bring similar changes to its devices. For instance, MacBooks perform poorly iniFixit repairability scores.

Lastly, it became profitable for manufacturers to design repairable laptops. All of a sudden, buyers started looking for laptops with a high repairability score, and manufacturers who took the opportunity gained a first mover advantage. And soon, more followed suit!

Companies likeFramework, which started working on repairability early on, now have a long lineup of sleek and compact laptops. Because repairability and portability don’t often go along too well, not unless you have mastered the design!

How does increased repairability boost upgradability?

Upgradability is directly proportional to repairability. The more repairable a laptop is, the more upgradable it is(barring the design and performance constraints)!

For instance, if you can easily unscrew the back panel of a laptop to replace a malfunctioning RAM module, it can also be upgraded, say, from the current 8 GB stick to a new 16 GB stick. The same is the case with storage drives and other similar components.

A higher degree of repairability not only increases the laptop’s lifespan and saves money but also helps minimize e-waste. And one glance at thelatest e-waste statisticswill make you realize that we need to reduce waste generation.

What are your thoughts on repairable laptops? Share with our readers in the comments section.

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Copilot in Outlook will generate personalized themes for you to customize the app

Microsoft will raise the price of its 365 Suite to include AI capabilities

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Outlook will let users create custom account icons so they can tell their accounts apart easier

Laptops are getting more upgradeable & repairable, but why now?

Why are manufacturers bringing more repairable laptops?

How does increased repairability boost upgradability?