iFixit M5 MacBook Pro Teardown Reveals Surprising Repairability Score

Apple’s new M5 MacBook Pro has been disassembled by the experts at iFixit. The teardown occurred just days after the device’s official release. The goal was to assess internal changes and repairability.

According to iFixit’s findings, the internal design remains largely similar to the previous M4 model. The primary update is the new M5 chip, as expected.

Inside the M5 MacBook Pro: A Mixed Bag for Repair

The repair specialists found the casing is still secured with P5 pentalobe screws. Replacing the battery remains a difficult process. Apple sells the battery only as part of a full top case assembly.

This means replacing the battery requires removing nearly every internal component. iFixit followed Apple’s official repair steps for this assessment. The logic board must be taken out to access other parts.

A Glimmer of Hope for DIY Repairs

iFixit did discover one notable improvement for repair technicians. The trackpad no longer needs removal to access the central battery cells. This small design tweak slightly simplifies the battery removal process.

The teardown also uncovered a minor battery capacity increase. The new model has a 72.6 Wh battery, up from 72.4 Wh in the M4 version. This is interesting because Apple’s official specs still list the older capacity.

Thought you’d like to know

What repairability score did the M5 MacBook Pro receive?

iFixit gave the M5 MacBook Pro a repairability score of 4 out of 10. This low score reflects the continued difficulty of battery replacement. It also notes the proprietary screws and complex disassembly process.

Is the battery easier to replace in this new model?

The battery replacement process remains largely unchanged and is still very difficult. However, a small improvement allows access to battery pull tabs without first removing the trackpad. This is a minor positive step for repair technicians.

What is the main internal change in the M5 MacBook Pro?

The most significant change is the new M5 system-on-a-chip. The physical layout and most components are nearly identical to the previous M4 model. The SSD storage speed has also been increased.

Why is the battery capacity finding unusual?

iFixit measured the new battery at 72.6 watt-hours. Apple’s own published specifications still list the capacity as 72.4 watt-hours. This suggests a quiet, unannounced upgrade from Apple.

How does this score compare to other laptops?

A score of 4 out of 10 is considered poor for user repairability. Many modern laptops from other manufacturers receive higher scores. Some Framework models, for example, have received perfect 10/10 scores.