Right to repair Apple, Lenovo lead losers in laptop repairability analysis Lenovo fails for not providing shoppers sufficient laptop repairability information. Scharon Harding Feb 20, 2025 2:20 pm | 35 Repairing an M1 MacBook. Credit: Apple Repairing an M1 MacBook. Credit: Apple Story textSizeSmallStandardLargeWidth *StandardWideLinksStandardOrange* Subscribers only Learn moreApple and Lenovo had the lowest laptop repairability scores in an analysis of recently released devices from consumer advocacy group US Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) Education Fund. While Apple's low marks are partially due the difficulty involved in disassembling MacBooks, Lenovo appears to be withholding information from shoppers deemed critical to right-to-repair legislation and accessibility.The report, US PIRG's fourth annual Failing the Fix [PDF], calculated repairabilityscores for PCs and smartphones from popular brands in the US. The report examines "the top 10 most recent devices from each brand that were available for sale directly from manufacturers in January 2025." If a brand's website didn't allow people to sort by newest release, US PIRG picked devices by sorting "by 'Bestselling' or something similar," per the report's methodology section.US PIRG's analysis included finding each device's French Repairability Index scores on PC makers' French websites and on third-party retailer sites. US PIRG calculated PC makers' grades by averaging "the total French score and the isolated disassembly score from each device." It weighed disassembly scores more heavily because it believes "this better reflects what consumers think a repairability score indicates." Next, the group subtracted half a point each for membership in TechNet or the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), industry groups that oppose right-to-repair legislation, and added a quarter point "for each piece of Right to Repair legislation supported by the testimony of the manufacturer in the last year."Ultimately, US PIRG found higher repairability scores for cell phones this year than it did last year but emphasized that laptops are not becoming significantly more repairable."HP laptops, which decreased in repairability from 2023 to 2024, hardly improved at all this year. Repairability improvements in Lenovo and Asus laptops have been slow and inconsistent over the past few years, the report says. Credit: US PIRG Lucas Gutterman, one of the report's authors and director of US PIRG's Designed to Last campaign, told Ars Technica that while US PIRG isn't completely sure why laptop scores are lagging behind those of phones, the group thinks it relates to customer demand and domestic and global right-to-repair legislation pushing vendors to make more repairable phones. He also cited IDC data finding that Americans hold onto their phones for four years on average, saying this is about nine months longer than just a few years ago. He said this trend makes phone repairability an important concern.Lenovo fails to provide repairability information US PIRG's laptop repairability scores for 2025. TPIN via US PIRGUS PIRG's laptop repairability scores for 2025.TPIN via US PIRG US PIRG's laptop repairability scores for 2024. Alec Meltzer | TPIN via US PIRGUS PIRG's laptop repairability scores for 2024. Alec Meltzer | TPIN via US PIRGUS PIRG's laptop repairability scores for 2025.TPIN via US PIRGUS PIRG's laptop repairability scores for 2024. Alec Meltzer | TPIN via US PIRGLenovo earned a failing score because, per the report, it "failed to provide the full French repairability index for 12 of the 13 models... available in both the US and France." Because the US PIRG was only able to score one device, Lenovo failed.As such, it's possible that Lenovo laptops could be more easily repairable than its F score implies, but Lenovo makes accessing French Repairability Index scores extremely difficult. As the report notes, France has required companies to post repair scores and information about repairability since January 2021. This could be an oversight on Lenovo's part. Ars Technica reached out to the PC maker for comment and will update this story if we hear back. For what it's worth, Lenovo scored a C last year, falling behind Asus, Acer, Dell, Microsoft, and HP.Gutterman said he doesn't know why Lenovo isn't providing repair score breakdowns like its rivals do. He added that Lenovo might not be complying with the requirements of the French Repairability Index.Samsung-commissioned research conducted by market researcher OpinionWay in 2021 highlighted the impact of readily available French repair index scores, with 86 percent of people surveyed saying that the index impacts their purchasing behavior.In general, the US PIRG has identified gaps in tech companies providing repairability materials, like manuals and spare parts, even when required by law.Laptops have changing or confusing model names that can differ across contexts, websites and support sections can change, and customer service can be unhelpful, Gutterman said. All of these make it difficult for consumers to find the manual they need to troubleshoot their problem. Manuals also might be lacking in repair diagrams or other more technical information that's needed to conduct a repair.A lack of repairability transparency can be not only frustrating for DIY repairs but can also negatively impact repair and refurbishing costs. This could make both options less economically viable for individuals and small businesses, like repair shops, Tatevik Nersisyan, Zero Waste Campaign associate for CALPIRG, US PIRGs California state affiliate, told Ars.When consumers can easily access information on how to fix devices, it makes it easier for people who cant afford the latest and greatest technology to still be able to access the tools they need, Nersisyan added.Apple lags but shows some improvementApple's MacBook repairability scores placed it at the lowest grade of the US PIRG's list, save for Lenovo. Credit: US PIRG However, Apple's overall repairability score improved from 4.3 last year to 5.1 this year. It gained a quarter of a point in this year's score because it supported right-to-repair legislation in California within the last year. Apple's support was a divergence from previous repairability stances from Apple, which had fought right-to-repair efforts for a decade before its about-face on California legislation starting in August 2023. Some have suggested that the change was due to Apple wanting input in legislation that, at the time, seemed likely to pass (California's bill did eventually pass). Apple has also made notable self-repairability efforts lately, though, including launching and expanding a Self Service Repair program.Still, Apple has room to grow, with the manufacturer earning the lowest total disassembly score (97)besides Lenovo, whose score (14) only included one device. Apple also had the lowest disassembly average score (4.9 versus an average of 7.4) out of brands examined. Last year, Apple had an average disassembly score of 4.In a deeper breakdown of the scores below, Apple's disassembly scores improved compared to 2024 (9.7 versus 8), as did its parts pricing score (10.9 versus 9.8). However, parts availability declined (13.2 versus 12.8), per US PIRG. Credit: US PIRG Overall, Apple wasn't able to compete with Asus and Acer, last year's and this year's winners. According to the report, "Asus and Acer continue to manufacture the most repairable laptops due largely to their ease of disassembly."Looking ahead, tariffs and other things impacting laptop availability and pricing, like the supply-chain disruptions witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic, could drive demand for more easily repairable PCs.When [laptops and electronics] cost more or are harder to get, I'd expect shoppers to want to keep them in use for as long as possible and value their repairability, Gutterman said.Scharon HardingSenior Technology ReporterScharon HardingSenior Technology Reporter Scharon is a Senior Technology Reporter at Ars Technica writing news, reviews, and analysis on consumer gadgets and services. She's been reporting on technology for over 10 years, with bylines at Toms Hardware, Channelnomics, and CRN UK. 35 Comments