The new M4 MacBook Air from Apple features an attractive Sky Blue color along with an improved camera, and it maintains its structural similarity to previous models. Repair experts from iFixit performed a teardown that showed the 2025 MacBook Air shares an identical chassis structure with its 2022 M2 predecessor.
Repair experts describe the maintenance process for the M4 MacBook Air as identical to prior models since all fixable components remain easy to address. Apple receives positive recognition for its easy-to-repair design, yet users encounter ongoing annoying system issues.
What the Teardown Revealed
The M4 MacBook Air, introduced in March 2025, maintains the same design elements found in its M2 and M3 model predecessors. iFixit’s teardown showed no major changes to how the laptop is assembled. For example, stretch-release tabs hold the battery in place, which lets users pull it out without damaging the parts. This is good news for DIY repairs or third-party shops.
Anyone can easily replace the M4 MacBook Air ports that utilize USB-C technology. User replacement of ports is possible by removing the bottom case and disconnecting several cables before allowing a new port to replace the broken one. Apple gave users access to an M4 MacBook Air repair manual to let them perform repairs themselves rather than relying on equipment replacements.
The Good and the Bad of Repairability
While Apple deserves credit for sticking with a repairable design, some parts are still tricky. The Touch ID power button and keyboard are glued into the top case. To replace them, you must take apart nearly the entire laptop. This makes small repairs time-consuming and risky for beginners.
iFixit found another issue when swapping logic boards (the laptop’s “brain”) between two M4 MacBook Airs. After the swap, the True Tone feature stopped working, which adjusts screen colors based on lighting. Even Apple’s calibration tool couldn’t fix it. This shows that some parts are locked to the original device, limiting repair flexibility.
What Hasn’t Changed
Since its foundation, Apple has maintained the practice of directly soldering storage chips onto the logic board. Self-upgrading the SSD is impossible because Apple still bonds the storage chips directly to the logic board. Upgrading the storage capacity requires buying a more expensive model before purchase. The critics claim customers end up spending increased money or need to replace their laptops at a later time.
The M4 MacBook Air delivers enhanced performance and better display quality than its predecessors, yet the updates stay incremental. Major publications describe the update as a specification enhancement over a major revolution.
Why This Matters for Users
Students, professionals, and those dependent on their laptops should consider repairability when purchasing. A laptop design that allows simple maintenance reaches extended service life and reduces overall ownership expenses. The design continuity of MacBook Air by Apple provides support for users. Apple maintains slim design priority by locking down repairable parts and soldering storage while this practice restricts users’ control during maintenance.
The M4 upgrade makes little sense for users who possess older MacBook Air models unless they require either the camera update or the different color options. Third-party shops maintain capabilities to fix most issues, but Apple must assist with complicated repair needs.
