Unlike the MacBook models released after 2012, the new 2018 MacBook Air would be a lot easier to repair. For the Genius Bar and Apple Authorized Service Providers, removing the battery and re-installing a new one would be less of a hassle.
2018 MacBook Air Being Easier to Repair Could Mean Apple Will Apply It to Its Future Notebooks Too
Per Apple’s internal Service Readiness Guide, tools will be provided to allow technicians to replace batteries without needing to replace the entire top case enclosure, as was the case before. Even though the battery in the new Retina MacBook Air is still glued to the aluminum enclosure that contains the trackpad and keyboard, placing the notebook in Apple’s iPhone display press tool to activate the new adhesive would be enough to keep the newly installed battery in place.
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Same would be the case with the trackpad, which means it would also be replaceable. The Touch ID can also be swapped without having to take out the whole logic board, but it is unclear if this would apply to the keyboard as well. Moreover, the laptop must clear Apple diagnostics to get repaired.
If design changes have eliminated the need for case replacement, the new method might not apply to the older MacBook and MacBook Pro variants with Retina displays, but the next-generation models could take advantage of this, making repairing less of a problem for Apple’s authorized personnel. Even though you may still be able to replace the battery in the previous MacBook and MacBook Pro models with Retina displays using iFixit’s DIY guides and battery replacement kits, you may end up invalidating Apple’s warranty if you mess up the procedure.
Apple usually makes it difficult for its users and technicians to repair its computers themselves, so this has come as rather a pleasant surprise that the new notebook is easier to repair. Moreover, it will also have positive implications for the environment and the industry as a whole.
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Do you think Apple should apply this approach for its future MacBook Pro models? Let us know down in the comments.
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Source: MacRumors
