4 out of 10: iFixit's teardown of the MacBook Pro M5 reveals the difficulty of repairing Apple's new laptop
The iFixit team has dismantled the new MacBook Pro with the Apple M5 chip and rated its repairability at only 4 out of 10. Despite the hardware evolution, the laptop's design remains almost unchanged — and thus difficult for self-repair.
What is known
iFixit engineers found that opening the case has become slightly easier, but it still requires precision and special tools. The battery can be replaced, but to do so, the trackpad, speakers, and other components must be removed, potentially damaging important parts.
The RAM and SSD are soldered onto the board and cannot be upgraded.
HDMI and Thunderbolt ports are not modular and require a full motherboard replacement for repairs. The keyboard and display are glued and connected by a complex cable system, making their replacement quite labor-intensive.
Despite Apple's Self Service Repair initiative (supporting self-repair), the MacBook Pro M5 design remains closed. Key components are inaccessible for replacement without specialized equipment, limiting user and independent service capabilities.
Source: iFixit
