Which laptop brand is more reliable? Side-by-side comparison based on 1,685 real repair records from community repair events.
Data from openrepair.org (CC BY-SA 4.0) · 7,492 total laptop records
Last updated:
Apple and Dell have nearly identical fix rates (55.7% vs 53.6%), so when something breaks, both brands are equally likely to be repaired successfully. Both brands show similar longevity, with laptops typically coming in for repair around 7.9 years old. Both brands share the same top failure type: Battery/Power (15.6% for Apple, 17.1% for Dell). Professional teardowns give Dell a 8/10 repairability score vs 2.5/10, meaning it's physically easier to open up and fix. France's government repairability index confirms this, scoring Dell at 9/10 vs 6.3/10.
If durability matters most:
Both brands perform similarly on durability. Choose based on features, price, and the specific model. Our data comes from 1,685 real repair records, so this tie is meaningful.
Based on 1,685 real repair records from community repair events. Scroll down for the full data breakdown.
Head-to-head reliability data for Apple vs Dell laptops, based on 1,685 community repair records. Dell leads on fix rate (53.6% vs 55.7%).
| Metric | Apple | Dell |
|---|---|---|
| Fix Rate | 55.7% | 53.6% |
| ValueCost per reliability point | $26.22/pt | $13.79/pt |
| Top Failure | Battery/Power (15.6%) | Battery/Power (17.1%) |
| Sample Size | 929 | 756 |
| Avg. Age at Repair | 7.9 years | 7.1 years |
Like-for-like pricing across product tiers. Prices are approximate.
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Apple and Dell show similar reliability, with fix rates of 55.7% and 53.6% respectively, based on 1,685 community repair records.
Apple's top issues are battery/power and software. Dell's top issues are battery/power and software.
Both brands show similar longevity, with devices averaging around 7.9 years before needing repair.
Both Apple and Dell show very similar durability metrics. Choose based on features, price, and specific model reviews rather than brand-level reliability alone.
Brand averages only go so far. Your specific model matters too. See repair costs, repairability scores, and failure data for individual laptops.
| iFixit Score0-10 scale |
|---|
| 2.5/10 |
| 8/10 |
| French Repairability IndexGovernment-mandated, 0-10 | 6.3/10avg of 3 models | 9/10avg of 16 models |
|---|
Dell
XPS 14 (2025)
Value
Apple
2025 MacBook Air 15-inch Laptop with M4
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