The Nintendo Switch and its new Zelda game are getting some rave reviews right now. But if you needed another reason to buy the console hybrid, it turns out the device is quite repairable. After the iFixit team had performed one of their famed teardowns of the Switch, they awarded it a repairability score of 8/10.
One of the machine's few drawbacks and the reason it didn't score higher is that it uses proprietary tri-point screws, which will stop anyone who doesn't own specialized tools from opening up the Switch. Once inside, though, things get better.
iFixit notes that the internals of the Switch "looks like a computer! Battery, heatpipe, thermal paste, fan. It's all there." The breakdown reveals a lot of effort has been put into the cooling system, which consists of a heatpipe secured by a Philips screw, a fan, and a metal plate that channels heat from the heat pipe to the rear case.
Being able to work as both a console and a handheld means the Switch requires a beefy battery. It comes with a 16Wh version, which is almost three times the capacity of the 5.6Wh battery found in the Wii U GamePad. The component isn't replaceable, but Nintendo has plans for a paid replacement program.
Most of the Switch's components, including the analog sticks, game cartridge reader, and headphone jack are modular. And apart from the digitizer, they are held in place with screws rather than adhesive, all of which makes removing and replacing parts much easier.
Make sure to check out the full iFixit teardown here.