iFixit: Mac Pro is surprisingly easy to fix

The Mac Pro is one of the most repairable Apple devices in years, iFixit claims after a teardown. The company took apart the “cheese grater computer” and found that the device has surprisingly easy-to-replace parts.

iFixit calls the teardown a ‘Fixmas miracle’. “It’s a beautiful, well-assembled device and a masterclass in repairability,” the company writes. That’s a striking verdict for an Apple device; iFixit rates it more negatively year on year due to its poor repairability. The site has always championed the ‘right to repair’, including on a political level. iFixit wants a law to be passed that forces companies to design all their devices so that consumers can easily upgrade or repair them, rather than having to buy new stuff. The site speculates that Apple may be feeling the pressure and preparing for it.

The teardown of the Mac Pro shows how most of the components are integrated into the computer as modules. That makes them very easy to replace with alternatives. This can often be done without tools. Where tools are required, Apple uses standard screws and connectors with the Mac Pro. That is a break with the past. Apple even introduced a new proprietary screw type for some laptops that made it difficult for individuals to repair. iFixit also appreciates that several free repair guides for the device are available, and that the components in the computer are numbered for easy reassembly. However, according to the site, it is a pity that Apple still uses its own SSD format that, although easy to replace, is difficult to buy.