iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
In U.S. PIRG Education Fund’s 2026 laptop scorecard, Apple received the lowest grade, C-minus, and Lenovo ranked near the bottom. That is a comparison of a limited sample of recent models—not a verdict on every laptop either company sells. A specific ThinkPad, MacBook, or other model can differ substantially, so check the exact model and generation before buying.
What the 2026 ranking measures
U.S. PIRG Education Fund’s Failing the Fix (2026) assessed the 10 newest laptops available in January from each manufacturer’s French website. As Ars Technica reported, the study used repairability-index information disclosed in France, where covered electronics are subject to repairability disclosure requirements. Its results describe that sample and method; they do not establish that every Apple or Lenovo laptop is equally difficult to fix.
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. PIRG weights disassembly more heavily, reflecting the practical barrier of getting into a device to begin a repair.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
| Brand or comparison | 2026 result described in the report | What the result does—and does not—show |
|---|---|---|
| Apple | Lowest laptop grade: C-minus | A result for PIRG’s sampled models and scorecard; not a grade for every MacBook generation. |
| Lenovo | Near the bottom of the laptop table; a specific grade is not stated in the account of the report | A limited sample that Lenovo said did not represent its full portfolio. |
The previous 2025 PIRG edition described laptop repairability as broadly stagnant and Apple as performing worst by far on ease of disassembly. That historical finding helps explain the 2026 concern, but it does not replace checking the model you intend to buy.
#1 Best Overall
- RELIABLE PERFORMANCE FOR EVERYDAY WORK: The Intel N150 processor works with 8GB LPDDR5 memory and 128GB UFS 2.2 storage to support web browsing, email, document editing, online classes, video streaming, and routine multitasking. Integrated Intel Graphics provides dependable visuals for business, education, and everyday home use.
- CLEAR 15.6-INCH FULL HD DISPLAY: The 1920x1080 anti-glare display offers a spacious view for documents, presentations, research, online learning, and entertainment. Its 250-nit brightness, 88% active-area ratio, and TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light software solution support comfortable viewing during extended work or study sessions.
- LIGHTWEIGHT AND DURABLE DESIGN: Starting at only 3.42 lbs and measuring 0.70 inches thin, this Arctic Grey Lenovo laptop travels easily between home, school, and the office. MIL-STD-810H testing adds everyday durability, while the full-size keyboard includes a dedicated Copilot key for convenient access to AI assistance.
- MODERN CONNECTIVITY AND PRIVACY: Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 provide reliable connections for networks and accessories. Two USB-A ports, USB-C with Power Delivery and DisplayPort, HDMI 1.4, an SD card reader, and a 3.5mm audio jack support displays and peripherals, while the 720p camera includes a physical privacy shutter.
- READY FOR BUSINESS AND EDUCATION: Windows 11 Home and Microsoft 365 Personal provide familiar tools for documents, communication, coursework, and daily productivity. A 47Wh battery supports mobile workflows, while the included 65W power adapter enables efficient charging. Dolby Audio stereo speakers and dual-array microphones enhance online meetings and classes.
Are Apple MacBooks hard to repair?
The 2026 brand-level result is poor, and the 2025 scorecard specifically identified Apple’s disassembly performance as a weakness. But a brand grade cannot answer whether a particular MacBook battery, screen, keyboard, or other part can be replaced in a practical way. Designs vary: some MacBooks with a more modular layout differ from older designs that use glue or solder.
There are also model-specific service instructions and parts-access options for Apple laptops in iFixit’s database. Their existence does not mean every component is modular, that parts are equally accessible in every region, or that a repair is straightforward. Check instructions and parts for the precise model and generation.
Rank #2
- RELIABLE EVERYDAY PERFORMANCE – Powered by an Intel N150 quad-core processor for smooth web browsing, document editing, video streaming, online classes, email, and light multitasking.
- CLEAR 15.6-INCH FHD DISPLAY – Enjoy sharp visuals on the Full HD anti-glare screen, designed for comfortable viewing while studying, working remotely, attending video calls, or watching entertainment.
- FAST DDR5 MEMORY AND SSD STORAGE – 8GB DDR5 RAM supports responsive everyday computing, while the 128GB PCIe SSD provides quick startup and convenient storage for essential applications and files.
- DESIGNED FOR WORK AND SCHOOL – Windows 11 Home, a full-size keyboard with numeric keypad, and a 720p HD webcam with privacy shutter make this Lenovo laptop ready for assignments, spreadsheets, meetings, and remote learning.
- MODERN WIRELESS AND WIRED CONNECTIVITY – Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 help keep you connected, while USB-A, USB-C, HDMI, an SD card reader, and an audio jack support everyday accessories and external displays.
Are Lenovo laptops repairable?
Lenovo’s near-bottom position is a warning about the sampled brand-level result, not a finding that every Lenovo laptop is difficult to service. Lenovo challenged the analysis’s breadth, saying the sample was limited and did not represent its full portfolio; it also pointed to its service documentation, parts access, and relationship with iFixit.
Model differences matter within Lenovo’s range. iFixit’s database includes ThinkPad models with substantially stronger repairability assessments than the brand-level grade might suggest. A ThinkPad designed for field replacement can be materially different from a thin consumer IdeaPad. Confirm the exact model rather than treating the family name or brand ranking as a guarantee.
Rank #3
- Processor & Performance: AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS (8C/16T, up to 4.75GHz) | Integrated Radeon 680M Graphics
- Display & Audio: 16" WUXGA (1920x1200) IPS Anti-Glare | FHD 1080p IR Camera + Privacy Shutter | Dolby Atmos | HARMAN Stereo Speakers | Dual Microphones
- Memory & Storage: 16GB DDR5 | 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD + 500GB Ext HDD
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E (2.4/5/6GHz) | Bluetooth 5.3 | 2x USB-C (PD 3.0 + DP 1.4) | HDMI 2.1 (4K@60Hz) | RJ-45 Ethernet | 2x USB-A (5Gbps + 10Gbps Always On) | 3.5mm Combo
- Security & OS: TPM 2.0 | Fingerprint Reader (Power Button) | IR Facial Recognition | Windows 11 Pro. Backlit English EU Keyboard | Thin 16" Black Chassis | Ideal for Business, Education, Hybrid Work
Does a ThinkPad repair better than a MacBook?
There is no single answer for the two product families as a whole in the evidence available here. PIRG’s result compares a defined sample of recent laptops, while iFixit assesses individual models. The database has stronger-scoring ThinkPads and Apple models with service instructions and parts access, but the scorecard information does not provide a matched, model-by-model ThinkPad-versus-MacBook comparison.
For a useful comparison, match the exact generation and configuration, then compare how each device opens, which parts are replaceable, whether manuals and parts are available where you live, and whether the repair requires special software or service. iFixit scores individual laptops on a zero-to-ten scale, with zero hardest and ten easiest to repair; use a model-specific score or teardown as one input, not as a substitute for checking the repair you may actually need.
Rank #4
- ⚡ POWERFUL PERFORMANCE FOR EVERYDAY TASKS: Intel N150 quad-core processor (up to 3.6GHz turbo) with 8GB LPDDR5-4800 RAM delivers smooth multitasking for web browsing, document editing, video streaming, and light productivity. 128GB UFS 2.2 storage provides fast boot times and quick app launches for your essential programs and files.
- 🖥️ IMMERSIVE 15.6" FHD DISPLAY: Crystal-clear 1920x1080 Full HD resolution with 88% screen-to-body ratio maximizes your viewing area. Anti-glare coating reduces eye strain during extended use, while Dolby Audio-enhanced stereo speakers deliver rich, clear sound for entertainment and video calls.
- 🎒 ULTRA-PORTABLE & DURABLE DESIGN: Weighing just 3.42 lbs (1.55 kg) with a slim 0.70" profile, this laptop easily fits in any bag for on-the-go productivity. MIL-STD-810H military-grade tested for durability. HD 720p camera with privacy shutter protects your privacy when not in use.
- 🌐 SEAMLESS CONNECTIVITY: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.2 ensure fast, reliable wireless connections. Versatile ports include 2x USB-A, 1x USB-C (with Power Delivery and DisplayPort), HDMI 1.4, SD card reader, and headphone jack - connect all your devices and peripherals with ease.
- 💻 READY TO USE OUT OF THE BOX: Pre-installed Windows 11 Home and Microsoft 365 Personal get you started right away with the latest features and productivity tools. ENERGY STAR 9.0 certified and TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light certified for reduced eye strain during extended computing sessions.
Can you replace the battery, SSD, RAM, keyboard, or screen yourself?
Possibly, but the brand ranking does not establish whether any one of these parts is user-replaceable on a particular laptop. The 2026 PIRG brand-level result is not a component-by-component service guide. Before purchasing—or opening a device—check the exact model’s service manual and teardown for these points:
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
- Battery: Look for whether it is independently removable and how it is secured. Adhesive can make removal more difficult or risky.
- SSD and RAM: Check whether storage and memory are separate replaceable modules or soldered to the board. Do not assume either is upgradeable.
- Keyboard and screen: Find out whether each can be replaced as an individual part or only as part of a larger assembly, and whether disassembly requires removing other components first.
- Parts and software: Confirm genuine-part availability and local pricing, and check for pairing, calibration, or proprietary-tool requirements that can affect a repair after physical installation.
A precision laptop tool kit can help with inspection and opening, but tools cannot make soldered, glued, paired, or undocumented parts user-replaceable. If a repair is important to your decision, verify the route and parts before you buy.
How to choose a laptop that is easier to fix
Use model-level evidence rather than relying on a brand’s overall position. A short pre-purchase check can reveal whether routine repairs are realistic for your skills, location, and budget.
- Identify the exact model and generation. Similar product names can cover different internal designs; compare the precise configuration you plan to buy.
- Check how it opens. Look at screw types and count, adhesives, and whether the first repair requires destructive removal. Disassembly is especially relevant because PIRG gives it substantial weight.
- Assess modularity. Check whether the battery, keyboard, ports, fan, display, storage, and memory are independently replaceable or integrated, glued, or soldered.
- Verify documentation and parts. Look for a service manual, genuine parts, regional availability, and realistic parts pricing. Availability in one country does not guarantee availability in another.
- Check repair restrictions. Look for parts pairing, calibration requirements, software locks, and proprietary tools that could complicate a repair even when a component is physically removable.
- Compare service routes and coverage. Confirm whether manufacturer service, authorized third-party repair, or self-repair is supported, and review applicable warranty and accidental-damage coverage.
- Use a model-specific teardown or score. iFixit’s zero-to-ten scale and repair guides can help distinguish models within the same brand; confirm that the assessment matches your exact generation.
Lucas Rockett Gutterman, Designed to Last campaign director at U.S. PIRG Education Fund, put the consumer interest plainly: “Consumers pay good money for their laptops, and they deserve ones that can be fixed if they break.” The practical implication is to compare the repair path for the device in front of you, not to assume a brand ranking predicts every repair.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →
