Tech Repairs and Tremors: What Designers Should Know

A personal look at the challenges of laptop repair with Parkinson’s and how tech can do better.

💡 Introduction: When Design Meets Reality

Replacing a laptop battery should be simple. But for those living with Parkinson’s or other conditions affecting fine motor skills, it can feel like defusing a bomb. Tiny screws, fragile connectors, and inaccessible layouts turn a routine task into a test of patience and dexterity.

I recently replaced the battery in my Dell XPS laptop. I mention Dell, not to call them out, but to show the age of my computer; it's not that old. I suspect that I would have experienced the same challenges regardless of the brand, and it reminded me just how much tech design still has to learn about accessibility.

🔍 The Hidden Challenges

• Microscrews and fragile components: Difficult to grip, easy to drop, and nearly impossible to retrieve. Of course, the first thing I do is drop one of the teeny-weeny screws that happened to be the same dark color as most of the components inside. To say it took a while to find it is a gross understatement.
• Overly compact layouts: Designers prioritize sleekness over serviceability.
• Lack of modularity: Many devices are glued shut or require specialized tools.
• No consideration for tremors or reduced dexterity: There’s rarely a “Parkinson’s-friendly” option.

🧰 Tools That Help

Here are a few tools that made the process more manageable—or could have:

• Magnetic screw mats to keep parts organized (My Electro-Static Discharge (ESD) mat has slots for parts.)
• Ergonomic screwdrivers with larger grips (I have them.)
• Magnifying lamps or head-mounted magnifiers (Could have used one looking for the wayward screw.)
• Anti-static tweezers for better control
• Pre-repair planning: watching teardown videos, laying out tools in advance (Definitely helped me.)

🧠 What Designers Should Consider

• Accessibility isn’t just software: Hardware matters too.
• Modular design: Products like the Framework laptop show it’s possible.
• Inclusive testing: Involve people with motor challenges in usability trials.
• Clear documentation: Step-by-step guides with visuals can make a huge difference.

🙌 A Call for Change

Tech should empower everyone—not just the able-bodied. If manufacturers truly want to build for the future, they need to design with empathy, adaptability, and accessibility in mind.

✍️ Final Thoughts

Living with Parkinson’s means adapting constantly. But it shouldn’t mean struggling to replace a battery. With more innovative design and more inclusive thinking, we can make tech repairs less of a battle and more of a bridge to independence. And not take four hours for a battery replacement.