The MacBook Neo is the most repairable MacBook in years, according to iFixit

New Apple MacBook Neo Not only is it the most affordable MacBook yet — it’s also the most repairable MacBook in “about fourteen years,” according to In-depth tearing Through the iFixit guide website.

The “big story,” in iFixit’s view, is the battery. While older MacBook batteries are supposed to be glued in place, the Neo’s battery is held by a tray secured with 18 screws. That’s a lot of screws, but iFixit declared that “the screws still beat the adhesive every time.” In fact, this new arrangement — which should make replacing your MacBook’s battery much easier — “sent cheers across the iFixit office.”

Other changes that are said to make the MacBook Neo more repairable: a flatter disassembly tree, the fact that Repair Assistant seems to accept replacement parts without complaint, and an easier screen and keyboard to replace.

In the end, iFixit still had enough concerns — like RAM and storage — that it only gave the Neo a repairability score of 6 out of 10. But it said that’s a solid score for a MacBook.

In 2012, Apple announced a redesign of its MacBook laptops with the new Retina Display MacBook Pro. This change was part of a push to move repair of Apple devices in-house, or to Apple-authorized repair shops, and remove much of the self-repairability that previous models had. Many parts of the new MacBook were glued together, including the memory cards and battery; iFixit gave this model an A 1 out of 10 score For repairability.

Since then, Apple has faced criticism for… Some oppose the right to reform laws In the states and the establishment of the so-called Coupling of parts Barriers that limit or prevent devices from working with unmanufactured parts. Laws allowing people to repair devices in states including Oregon prompted the company to do so To lift restrictions On repairing iPhones using old parts.

Memory and storage are still soldered into the new MacBook Neo, making it difficult to upgrade. “But the parts that fail first are easier to access than any MacBook has been in a long time,” iFixit said. “The battery is installed rather than glued. The ports are standard. The screen is easy to replace. The interior design is also unusually sensible.”