Screws instead of glue: what changed, and which models to look at.

For most of the past decade, buying a thin laptop meant accepting that it could not really be fixed. Batteries were glued in place, memory was soldered to the main board, and the bottom panel was held on by tiny proprietary screws, adhesive or both. A failing battery or a cracked keyboard often meant a repair bill approaching the cost of a new machine. That is starting to change, and this autumn’s crop of slim laptops is the clearest sign yet.

Several manufacturers have launched thin-and-light models that can be opened with a standard screwdriver and have batteries, keyboards, storage and, in some cases, memory that can be replaced by the owner. They are not chunky workhorses designed for tinkerers; most weigh between 1.1 and 1.4 kilograms and are less than 16 millimetres thick.

What changed

Three things have pushed the industry in this direction. The first is regulation. New rules adopted in several large markets now require manufacturers to make spare parts available for a set number of years and to design batteries so that they can be removed without special tools or solvents. Rather than make different models for different regions, many companies are applying the changes worldwide.

The second is engineering. Improvements in battery chemistry and cooling have reduced the need to squeeze every component into a sealed block. Pull-tab adhesives, which release cleanly when stretched, have replaced the permanent glue that once held batteries down. Modular connectors are now small enough to fit inside a thin chassis.

The third is demand. Businesses buying hundreds of machines at a time have become more interested in how long a laptop lasts and how quickly it can be repaired, and schools and councils have begun to include repairability in their purchasing criteria.

“Five years ago, the answer to ‘can I fix this?’ was usually no. Now, on a good proportion of new slim laptops, I can swap a battery in fifteen minutes with a single screwdriver. That is a huge shift for an industry that spent years going the other way,” said Ines Halloran-Pike, who runs an independent computer repair shop in Calder’s old town.

Ms Halloran-Pike said she was seeing fewer machines written off as uneconomical to repair, though she warned that availability of parts in practice still varied widely between brands.

What to look for

If you are shopping for a new laptop and want one that will last, the specification sheet rarely tells the whole story. Repair specialists suggest checking the following before buying:

  • Standard screws on the base panel, rather than adhesive or tamper-resistant fittings
  • A battery held by screws or pull tabs, with the replacement part listed for sale
  • Storage in a standard slot, so a drive can be upgraded or recovered if the machine fails
  • Memory in removable slots, or at least enough soldered memory for the years you plan to keep it
  • A published repair guide and a commitment to supply parts for at least five years
  • A keyboard that can be replaced on its own, without swapping the entire top case

Which models are worth a look

Among this season’s launches, three broad categories stand out. Fully modular designs, from smaller manufacturers that built their reputations on repairability, now come in slimmer chassis than before and allow almost every component, including ports, to be changed by the user. They tend to cost more than equivalent mainstream models, but parts are cheap and widely sold.

Mainstream business laptops from the larger makers have also improved markedly. Most now have screw-fastened batteries and replaceable storage, and several have returned to removable memory. These are often the best value for most buyers, particularly when bought refurbished.

Consumer ultrabooks remain the most mixed group. Some have embraced pull-tab batteries and published repair guides; others are still largely sealed. Reviews that include a teardown are the most reliable guide.

Repairability does come with some trade-offs. Machines designed to be opened can be marginally thicker or heavier, and some reviewers have noted slightly less rigid cases on the slimmest repairable models. Battery life has, so far, held up well.

For buyers, the message is that you no longer have to choose between a light laptop and one you can keep running for five or six years. The best advice, say repairers, is simple: before you pay, find out what it costs to replace the battery.