Yesterday, iFixit joined forces with Microsoft in a move that’s bound to excite gamers worldwide. The goal? To provide official repair parts for Xbox Series and Xbox Series X consoles, helping keep these beloved devices operational longer and out of landfills.
As part of this collaboration, iFixit has set up store pages listing repair parts for both the disc and digital models of the Xbox Series consoles. They’ve also put together guides to help you install each component. Most parts fall within the $20 to $60 price range, but be prepared for a shock when it comes to critical components like the motherboard assembly. Surprisingly, the cost of the Series S US motherboard assembly is $299.99—pretty much the same price as buying a brand-new Series S console. It’s even more mind-boggling with the Series X, where the US motherboard assembly is priced at $599.99, compared to the $499.99 you’d pay for a new console.
This pricing is bewildering. You’d think that for the cost of a repair part, you’d get more value, like a controller and a year’s warranty, which comes standard with a new console. The scenario doesn’t improve when you look at accessories like controllers. An Xbox Series S/X controller motherboard will dent your wallet by $29.99, yet you can snag a brand-new Xbox wireless controller for that price during sales.
Unless you’re aiming to fix a special edition or a memorabilia piece, investing in a new Xbox motherboard isn’t cost-effective. It seems buying a new system is the wiser choice. Thankfully, other repairs are much more reasonable, but the exorbitant cost of motherboards is a real eye-opener. On a brighter note, iFixit is offering parts for Xbox Series controllers this time around, something they hadn’t done with earlier Xbox models.
“We’re thrilled to collaborate with Microsoft to extend the life of Xboxes and keep them from becoming e-waste,” shared Liz Chamberlain, iFixit’s Director of Sustainability. “Since our partnership with Microsoft started last year focusing on Surface products, we’ve empowered users to repair their laptops and tablets. It’s fantastic to extend that opportunity to Xbox owners now.”
iFixit is known for championing straightforward and user-friendly electronic repair solutions. We recently took a closer look at their Fixhub Portable Soldering Station and gave it a glowing 4-star review. Its standout features include excellent soldering performance, a robust battery, precise power application, ease of repair, and modern USB-C connectors.
We wouldn’t be surprised if some console repair enthusiasts pick up one of these soldering stations alongside the newly available Xbox replacement parts from iFixit. Of course, there are more budget-friendly ways to dive into soldering. And rest assured, iFixit’s repair guides remain effective whether you’re using their specific repair hardware or something else entirely.
