PIRG study finds stagnation in laptop repairability improvements

While smartphones have made some progress in making them more repairable, laptop makers have made little progress. Most popular laptop models remain difficult to repair, according to a 2025 report from the U.S.-Canada Public Interest Research Group (PIRG). Of the eight largest U.S. laptop makers, only Apple and Dell have shown significant improvements in the ease of disassembling their devices, The Register has learned, and even their progress is limited.

Image source: arstechnica.net

Although Apple has improved the ease of disassembly of its laptops, they still perform the worst in this criterion, which negatively affects the overall repairability rating. Lenovo, despite promising to make 80% of its devices repairable by 2025, received an “F” (two points) and, as PIRG explains, this is due to Lenovo not providing the French repairability index for 92% of its models.

Image source: Failing the Fix report, arstechnica.net

Among the eight largest laptop brands, ASUS took first place with an “A” (excellent) rating, while Acer took second place. These companies became the leaders in consumer choice for devices that can be repaired by themselves. Interestingly, PIRG also added Samsung to the ranking, as the brand has become one of the most popular in the United States.

It’s worth noting that Apple is the smartphone leader in repairability, but a “B-” rating doesn’t mean things have improved significantly. Despite the progress, right-to-repair advocates have described Apple’s concessions as attempts to confuse consumers, with iFixit expert Kyle Wiens criticizing Apple for “a strategy of half-measures and making the repair process more difficult,” even after allowing used parts to be used for iPhone repairs.

Image source: Failing the Fix report, arstechnica.net

But most manufacturers oppose the right to repair. Eight out of 10 brands from trade associations, such as TechNet and the Consumer Technology Association, lobby against it. And Google was the only manufacturer to fully offset its membership deductions with legislative work, backing four right-to-repair bills last year.

However, the legislative battle for the right to independently repair consumer goods continues. PIRG emphasized that positive changes are definitely happening and, despite certain successes, the fight for affordable repairs is far from over.