The Right to Repair Audit
A product with a glued-in battery and proprietary screws has a mathematically lower lifespan. We penalize these products heavily in our scoring.
The 'Warranty Void' Lie
Under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (US), it is illegal for companies to void your warranty simply because you opened the device or used a third-party repair service. Yet, 80% of consumer electronics still feature these stickers as a deterrent.
Repairability as a Score Metric
If iFixit gives a device a 3/10 for repairability, we mathematically cap that product's maximum achievable forensic score. You cannot have a '10/10' product that becomes e-waste after 2 years because the battery cannot be replaced.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does opening my laptop void the warranty?
In the US, no. The FTC has stated these stickers are illegal and unenforceable.
Which brands are the worst offenders?
Apple, Samsung, and John Deere historically score the lowest on our Repairability Index.