According to iFixit, the Apple iPad Pro is nearly impossible to fix. The teardown experts have now concluded that the iPad Pro’s accessories – the Apple Smart Keyboard and Apple Pencil – suffer the same fate.
The Apple Smart Keyboard and Apple Pencil have been designed in a way that prevents people from opening them. Even if they were to be disassembled, it would permanently damage them. iFixit’s product teardowns often show how a product is disassembled, what’s inside, and in the end, evaluate and give the device a repairability score. The iPad Pro has a score of 3 out of 10 (10 being the easiest to repair), while the Smart Keyboard and Apple Pencil has a repairability score of 0/10 and 1/10 respectively.
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The Apple Smart Keyboard has a horrible repairability score, because the internal components are impossible to be replaced without damaging the keyboard itself. Opening the keyboard requires slicing open the microfibre lining, and using a pick to detach the keycap frame.
On the other hand, the Apple Pencil receives a 1 out of 10 repairability score mainly because the pen nib and cap can be easily replaced. The interior components are hard to get to because it is protected by layers of plastic and metal which needs shredding. On top of that, opening the Apple Pencil would require the user to cut open its casing.
With the advancement of technology, devices have gotten smaller and slimmer, and Apple has designed the Smart Keyboard and Pencil to be replaced instead of repaired. For a more detailed process on the teardown, check them out here for the Apple Smart Keyboard and here for the Apple Pencil.
(Source: iFixit Teardown 1 | Teardown 2 via Ars Technica)
