TL;DR
Apple is expected to continue slimming its MacBook Pro line with a major redesign later this year, a move that has previously reduced upgrade and repair options. In contrast, Dell, HP and Lenovo are rolling out laptop designs that prioritize easier repair and component replacement.
What happened
Reports indicate Apple is preparing a redesigned MacBook Pro expected later this year that follows the company's long-term push for thinner, sleeker notebooks. That approach, enabled by integrated Apple Silicon and densely packaged internals, has limited users' ability to upgrade or replace RAM and storage. The article recalls Apple’s 2016 MacBook Pro changes, when ports were pared back in pursuit of thinner cases and a butterfly keyboard proved problematic. Meanwhile, CNET has reported that Dell, HP and Lenovo have each announced new laptop designs that reverse that trend: these models are built to make individual components — such as keyboards and batteries — easier to access and replace, extending device lifespan. The report also notes a similar direction in an MSI gaming laptop that simplifies RAM and SSD servicing. Sources cited by the report reflect manufacturers responding to customer requests for more serviceable machines.
Why it matters
- Easier repairability can extend product lifespans, reducing electronic waste and total ownership cost.
- Design choices create a trade-off between thinness/compactness and the ability to upgrade or repair internal components.
- A shift toward serviceable PCs could influence consumer expectations and manufacturer priorities across the industry.
- Differences in design philosophy may affect aftermarket repair markets and warranty/service models.
Key facts
- Apple is expected to unveil a redesigned MacBook Pro later in the year.
- Apple Silicon MacBooks’ integrated boards have made DIY upgrades of RAM and SSDs impractical.
- The 2016 MacBook Pro reduced available ports to prioritize a thinner body and used a butterfly keyboard that later proved unreliable.
- Potential features mentioned for the 2026 MacBook Pro include an OLED screen, touchscreen capability, and cellular support, though specifics are presented as possibilities.
- CNET reports that Dell, HP and Lenovo are introducing laptop designs that make it easier to repair or replace individual components.
- Manufacturers say customers want to replace parts like keyboards and batteries rather than buy whole new systems.
- MSI has offered a gaming laptop designed for easier servicing and upgrades of RAM and SSD.
What to watch next
- The official reveal and technical details of Apple’s redesigned MacBook Pro later this year.
- Which specific models and timelines Dell, HP and Lenovo will announce for these more serviceable laptops — not confirmed in the source.
- Whether Apple will change its design priorities toward repairability in response to this trend — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- OLED: A display technology that uses organic light-emitting diodes; known for deep blacks and high contrast.
- RAM: Random Access Memory; temporary system memory used by the operating system and applications for active tasks.
- SSD: Solid-State Drive; a storage device that uses flash memory, typically faster than traditional hard drives.
- Soldered components: Parts that are permanently attached to the circuit board, making individual replacement or upgrades difficult.
- Repairability: The ease with which a device can be disassembled, repaired, or components replaced by users or technicians.
Reader FAQ
Will Apple make its MacBooks easier to repair?
Not confirmed in the source.
Which PC makers are moving toward more repairable laptops?
Dell, HP and Lenovo are reported to have announced designs that make component replacement easier.
Does the report say what features the 2026 MacBook Pro will include?
The piece mentions possibilities such as an OLED screen, touchscreen and cellular support, but these are presented as potential features rather than confirmed specifications.
Is there evidence this trend will reduce waste or costs?
The source suggests repairability can extend device lifespan, but broader impacts on waste and costs are not quantified in the report.
I think Apple should take this radical approach to the new Siri Ben Lovejoy Jan 5 2026 MACBOOK PRO Dell, HP, and Lenovo headed in the opposite direction to Apple…
Sources
- Dell, HP, and Lenovo headed in the opposite direction to Apple with new laptop designs
- Laptop Repairability Scores
- MacBooks lagging behind PC rivals when it comes to …
- Thin yet Repairable Devices: HP Proves They Exist
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