

Finally, to score that perfect 10, the device must also have a free, public service manual available from the manufacturer.

Proprietary screws or glues? Yuck! Phillips screws? Better!Īs we continue to examine the device’s internals, evidence of easy-to-swap modular parts, prioritized access to often-replaced components, and upgradeability put big smiles on our faces and more points on the scoreboard. If you can’t open it, how can you repair it? Once inside, we note what types of fasteners are used. To start, points are docked based on how difficult it is to open the device.

As much as we wish everything could score a ten, only some will walk away victorious. We all want our devices to be easier to repair-after all, repairability is synonymous with longevity.
