New MacBook Pro scores poorly on repairability


iFixit has disassembled the new MacBook Pro with Touch Bar and learned a couple things. The big one may be that the SSD storage is not upgradable, which is disappointing. The SSD joins the memory module as non-upgradable in recent years. This mean more than ever, what you buy is what you'll have until your next Mac.

The site also found the new MacBook Pro may be troublesome and expensive to repair. The Touch ID sensor is paired with the custom T1 chip, which likely means Apple will have to repair it and perhaps require an entire new logic board. Also the Touch Bar itself is cumbersome to repair if you happen to crack, scratch, or break it.

Overall, the MacBook Pro Touch Bar gets a 1 out of 10 on their repairability score card.

The trackpad can be removed without first removing the battery.

Proprietary pentalobe screws continue to make working on the device unnecessarily difficult.

The battery assembly is entirely, and very solidly, glued into the case, thus complicating replacement.

The processor, RAM, and flash memory are soldered to the logic board.

The Touch Bar adds a second, difficult to replace, screen to damage.

The Touch ID sensor doubles as the power switch, and is paired with the T1 chip on the logic board. Fixing a broken power switch may require help from Apple, or a new logic board.