Apple’s iPads are the hardest tablets to fix, but also need repairs the least

iFixit, the repair guide site that has been vocal about the lack of repairability in Apple's devices, has released a new report that compares the repairability of tablets currently on the market. With the exception of the Microsoft Surface Pro, Apple's iPad lineup lands at the bottom of the list with a 2/10 repairability score.

Among the issues with repairability for iPads: hidden screws complicate disassembly, excessive amounts of adhesive, difficulty removing batteries, and, for some models, a "high chance of cracking the glass during disassembly."

The good news? Apple's iPads are also the most reliable according to several studies, meaning there is much less of a chance that you'll need a repair in the first place.

Coming out on top of iFixit's list is the Dell XPS 10 and Amazon's Kindle Fire. iFixit explained its methodology:

A device with a perfect score will be relatively inexpensive to repair because it is easy to disassemble and has a service manual available. Points are docked based on the difficulty of opening the device, the types of fasteners found inside, and the complexity involved in replacing major components. Points are awarded for upgradability, use of non-proprietary tools for servicing, and component modularity.

Apple Updates Anti-Malware Software to Block Older Versions of Adobe Flash Player Plug-in

As noted by Jim Dalrymple of The Loop, Apple today updated its malware definition file "Xprotect.plist" to block older versions of Adobe Flash Player in Safari. Versions of Flash that come before the latest 11.6.602.171 update will be automatically blacklisted.

To help protect users from a recent vulnerability, Apple has updated the web plug-in-blocking mechanism to disable older versions of the web plug-in: Adobe Flash Player

The ban comes after a security bulletin issued by Adobe earlier this week, covering three different vulnerabilities and recommending an update to the newest version of Flash.

In recent weeks, Apple has aggressively used its anti-malware tools to enforce minimum plug-in versions in light of security issues affecting the software. Recent blocks have included a previous Flash Player update enforcement in early February, and several blocks of Oracle's Java 7 Web plug-in earlier this year.