The MacBook Neo is the ‘best-designed MacBook’ in years, according to iFixit

The new Apple MacBook Neo it’s not the cheapest MacBook to date – it’s the most refurbishable MacBook in “fourteen years,” according to to drop deep and the iFixit how-to page.

The “big issue,” in iFixit’s view, is the battery. While older MacBook batteries are said to be glued in place, the Neo’s battery is held in place by a tray secured by 18 screws. That’s a lot of screws, but iFixit declared that “the screws still beat the screws every time.” In fact, the new system — which should make it easier to replace your MacBook’s battery — “sent joy to the iFixit office.”

Some of the changes that are said to make the MacBook Neo repairable: a flat integrated cost, that the Repair Assistant seems to accept replacement parts without complaint, and an easy-to-change keyboard layout.

In the end, iFixit had enough concerns – such as the sale of RAM and storage – that it only gave the Neo a repair score of 6 out of 10.

In 2012, Apple announced a revamp of its MacBook laptops with the new Retina Display MacBook Pro. The change was part of a push to move Apple device repairs in-house, or to an Apple-authorized store, and eliminate the DIY repair that previous models had. Most of the new MacBook’s components, including the memory card and battery, are attached to the bottom; iFixit gave the model a 1 of 10 results for maintenance.

Since then, Apple has been criticized to challenge other constitutional rights in parts and make the so-called connecting parts barriers that slow or stop equipment from working and equipment that does not. Laws that allow people to fix devices in states including Oregon are what pushed the company remove restrictions for repairing iPhones using old devices.

Memory and storage are still sold in the new MacBook Neo, making it difficult to upgrade. “But the parts that fail first are easier to reach than they have been on MacBooks for a long time,” iFixit said. “The battery is flattened instead of glued. The ports are fixed. The display is easy to change. The internal layout is clear.”