Apple MacBook Neo is not only cheaper than other Macs, it’s also easier to repair

Apple’s MacBook Neo is the company’s cheapest laptop by far, but according to a new report, it may also be both easier and cheaper to repair than other Macs.

Ars Technica dug into Apple’s official Neo repair documentation, and came away with good news: The MacBook Neo is more modular, and easier to repair than other modern MacBooks.

For example, the battery should be easy to replace, with just some shielding and cables in the way. The keyboard is a separate component, meaning it should be possible to replace it independently.

In contrast, a new MacBook Air has the keyboard integrated into the top part of the laptop, making it near-impossible to replace independently. As a result, fixing the keyboard on a MacBook Air or a Pro will likely be far more expensive than on a MacBook Neo.

Ars Technica’s findings are supported by actual teardowns of the MacBook Neo. YouTube channel Tech Re-Nu has disassembled the MacBook Neo and found that it has an extremely simple internal design with a removable battery and lots of modular parts, including the USB-C ports, speakers, and headphone jack.

This is great news for MacBook Neo customers, who are likely to be very cost-sensitive when it comes to repairs. If you purchase a laptop for $599, you definitely don’t want to spend half the amount or more to fix its keyboard.