[chucknelson]

How is this more e-waste than a typical laptop? Aren't Apple laptops known for being highly recyclable and using less harmful materials overall?

If you're saying more easily repairable laptops would stick around longer, I'm not sure that's how most consumers treat computers that break on them, especially laptops. Many times it would be "I need a new computer".

I would think all of the produced-as-cheaply-as-possible laptops would be far worse in their environmental impact, but I can't back that up.

[collyw]

Apple were the first mainstream manufacturer to introduce laptops without a replaceable battery as far as I can remember.

[jakobegger]

I have one of the early Macbooks with a non-user replaceable battery, and I'm using it today, 6 years after I bought it, and the battery is still fine. Sure, the capacity is a bit lower (maybe 50%), or I could get it replaced for around 150€.

Apple introduced non user replaceable batteries because it made sense: capacity and longevity was at a point where the average customer never replaced their battery.

[TazeTSchnitzel]

The batteries are replaceable, but it's not easy (or valid in warranty) for a user to do it. Apple can replace them, however.