Jakarta - Apple again surprised with the design of its latest laptop, the MacBook Neo. This device is said to be the easiest Apple laptop to repair in the last decade, a major change from Apple's reputation for making devices that are difficult to disassemble.
The conclusion comes after a video teardown or disassembly of the device showed that the Neo MacBook can be completely disassembled in just about six minutes. The video shows the internal structure of the laptop is much more modular and accessible than previous generations of MacBooks.
"This is really amazing for an Apple laptop," said the video creator. "I don't remember ever seeing a Mac that looks so easy to repair and so modular. The design is so simple and elegant."
This design change is also related to the Self Service Repair program which Apple first announced in 2021. The program allows users and independent technicians to repair Apple devices using official guides and original parts.
This program was first launched for the iPhone in April 2022 before being expanded to the Mac computer line. However, so far the program has often been criticized for its high cost and repair process which is considered too complicated for ordinary users.
With the more modular design of the new MacBook, pressure from the global "right to repair" movement or consumers' right to repair their own devices seems to be starting to affect Apple's design approach.
One of the most significant changes is seen in the keyboard section. In previous MacBook models such as the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, keyboard damage usually requires replacement of the entire top case of the laptop, which makes the repair cost soar high.
The cost of replacing the top case on the previous MacBook Air can reach around US$461.72. On the 16-inch MacBook Pro, it even reaches around US$664.12, including a seven-day repair tool rental fee of US$49.
If the old components are returned, users usually get a cost reduction of around 88 dollars. Even so, the final cost is still quite expensive, namely around 373.72 dollars for the MacBook Air and 576.12 dollars for the MacBook Pro.
On the MacBook Neo, Apple designed the keyboard so that it can be replaced separately without having to replace the entire top cover of the laptop. This means that the repair cost is expected to be much cheaper, although Apple has not announced the official price of its spare parts.
Apple has also published official repair guides for the MacBook Neo on its self-service repair site. However, to date, parts for the new device are not yet available for public purchase.
For regular users, repairing a laptop on their own may still feel complicated. But for independent service shops, schools, and companies that manage many devices, this new design can save significant costs and time.
In the world of modern technology, device design is often a compromise between aesthetics, thinness, and ease of repair. For years Apple has leaned towards a very closed design. The new MacBook shows signs of a change in direction - a little more friendly for screwdrivers and technicians.
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