Mac FORMAT INVESTIGATES
Should Macs be more upgradeable?
Not everyone wants to tinker with their Mac, but Apple is making it tricky for those who do. Charlotte Henry looks at whether this should change
WRITTEN BY CHARLOTTE HENRY
One of the many pleasant aspects of owning a Mac is how ‘oven-ready’ the devices arrive. There’s very little that needs to be done in terms of setup. If your data is all backed up properly you can usually load it on to your new device within minutes with just a few clicks. There are a few specification choices to be made at the purchase stage – memory, storage, colour etc – but generally, it is all an intentionally straightforward process. However, once that decision is made, there is no going back. Macs generally cannot be user-upgraded, to the consternation of some.
That said, most Apple machines perform at a decent level for a few years too – this piece is being written on a mid-2018 Mac mini, for example. Apple’s range of laptops, in particular, are updated following a fairly predictable cycle. This makes it easier for you to judge whether you should buy a new one or hold out for a few weeks or months. If issues arise, Apple offers some repair and support options, including the Genius Bar and online support forums.
Right to Repair
Indeed, the Right to Repair is a separate, but very much related, issue to do-ityourself tech upgradeability. As the name implies, it is the right of consumers to be able to fix devices themselves, usually using standard tools. Legislation has been required in various countries and US states to make this law.