For years, laptop manufacturers chased thinness at the expense of essential features. HDMI ports and card readers disappeared, keyboards lost travel, and components like batteries and RAM were soldered or glued in place. In 2026, however, a counter-trend is gaining momentum. Framework has made repairability its core identity, and even Apple has taken a step in that direction with the MacBook Neo. This is not about glamorous innovation but a return to "boring" computing that works, connects, and lasts.
Minimalism as False Progress
Over the past decade, laptop design followed a mantra of thinner, lighter, cleaner. Removing ports and replaceable batteries was sold as unavoidable progress. In reality, many sacrifices proved harmful. Lacking an HDMI port forced users to carry dongles; soldered storage prevented future upgrades. Now several companies are reversing course. Apple brought back HDMI, MagSafe, and SD slot on the MacBook Pro. Recent Surface devices have replaceable batteries and SSDs. Dell and Lenovo use modular USB-C ports. These signals point to a shift.
Sponsored Protocol
Framework: The Pioneer of Repairability
Framework built its reputation on fully modular laptops. Users can replace memory, storage, battery, keyboard, display, and even the mainboard. Expansion cards allow swapping ports on the fly. A Framework Laptop 13 bought years ago can accept a new mainboard or display without discarding the rest. This approach reduces e-waste and makes used units less risky. Admittedly, prices are higher and battery life not always top-tier, but Framework proves repairability and normalcy can coexist.
The MacBook Neo: A Repairable Compromise
Apple's MacBook Neo takes a cautious step. The battery is screwed in, not glued, and several ports sit on replaceable boards. The display, speakers, and trackpad are removable without excessive adhesive. iFixit gave it a 6 out of 10, the best MacBook score in 14 years. However, memory and storage are soldered, so not upgradeable. One of its two USB-C ports is limited to USB 2 speeds and it lacks a backlit keyboard. Despite limitations, the Neo shows a slim laptop does not have to be hermetically sealed. For more on latest devices, check our article on Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Watch 9.
Sponsored Protocol
Repairability Benefits Everyone
Even those who never open a laptop benefit from repairable design. Repair shops, school technicians, and corporate IT can replace a worn battery or damaged port without swapping the whole motherboard, cutting repair costs. Heavily used components like ports and keyboards should be easily replaceable. True innovation is a laptop that works for years without demanding attention. As iFixit emphasizes, the right to repair is a fundamental value. Learn more on the Right to Repair Wikipedia page.
Sponsored Protocol
Conclusion: Boredom as a Virtue
Mature technologies fade into the background. We don't want to admire design courage every time we plug in a monitor or type for hours. We want it to work and endure. Framework and the MacBook Neo point to a new measure of progress: not how quickly a computer looks outdated, but how long it remains useful. This is the quiet comeback of boring computing.
