I have a few reliable tools in my toolkit, one of which is the highly regarded iFixit Pro Tech Toolkit. I've had it for years, even before I started this job, and so far all the parts have remained intact, because it's perfect for assembling PCs and doing minor repairs and modifications on laptops, cell phones, and Steam Deck (opens in new tab).
But iFixit has packed even more into its latest kit, the Repair Business Toolkit (opens in new tab). As you may have figured out by now, this is no ordinary kit for the DIYer. It's basically iFixit's many small kits and tools packed into one relatively compact satchel bag. The average PC gamer won't need half of that, but we thought we'd take a look at what's included to see if there's more than a regular set of screwdrivers worth the investment.
Here's a piece of kit I'm already familiar with. Included in the Repair Business Toolkit is a slightly modernized version of a toolkit my family gave me for Christmas many years ago. It includes a 64-bit kit with drivers and a flexible extender for hard-to-reach places. I've actually used this extender a few times before on very tricky PC chassis.
A small spudger and prying tool have served me well on several occasions. Most recently, when I pried open the back of a Steam Deck to install a JSAUX transparent backplate (opens in new tab).
It also comes with an anti-static band. But hey, when you're dealing with electrically sensitive components, you should ground them (ed. note: Meh).
I think any kind of magnetic mat will suffice here, but the FixMat is a good option. I recently used it to organize screws when disassembling two gaming laptops, a Gigabyte G5 (opens in new tab) and an MSI Cyborg 15 (opens in new tab). Even for a simple GPU replacement inside my machine, it was convenient to drop the screws onto the mat so they wouldn't get lost in the carpet.
The blue part is magnetic, the tray at the top is not. It also comes with a pen to mark what is what, which may be the most useful bit of this lot for longer builds. I know this would have been very helpful when I built a hard loop a few years ago, but at least I'll be reaching for this pen again the next time I need to work on something.
A magnetic screwdriver is one of life's little luxuries. But did you know that with a tool like this, you can turn any screwdriver into a magnetic screwdriver?
Now, I genuinely realize that there is more to magnetizing than demagnetizing, but if you use some of your tweezers and screwdrivers for more delicate applications, such as watches, for example, you might find a use for the demagnetization option here. However, if you are building a PC, magnetize it as much as you want. A fairly low-power magnet will not do much damage.
Now, I already had a set very similar to this, but the iFixit one rolls down much smaller than mine. Even if you ditch all the shoulder bags that come with the Repair Business Kit, it's definitely an easier set to carry.
Inside, you'll find the following screwdrivers, which cover most of what you need for cracking PCs and other electronic devices.
All in all, it is a fairly comprehensive set. Nevertheless, most PC builders probably already have at least some of these drivers on hand. They are fairly common, and you can probably get them for less than the $55 that iFixit is asking.
I have used this iFixit kit digital caliper several times. It came in handy when I needed to take accurate measurements on several home projects. So, in a way, it's very useful. But maybe not for the average PC gamer.
I would never use a multimeter to check the electrical circuitry of my PC gaming hardware. However, I do use it quite regularly to check batteries. When you need to check a circuit, you really wish you had a multimeter lying around.
It is more useful than essential. Sometimes the inside of my PC is so dusty that it needs a little more air to move the dust to another location. This is when it comes in handy, but it's also a simple tool that you can get anywhere. As Hope discovered while cleaning her PC (opens in new tab) with an electronic duster, there are better things out there.
There is a lot to really appreciate in this kit, but not as much as the standard Pro Tech Toolkit. However, nothing is better than the standard Pro Tech Toolkit. Other than that, I rate Matt second highest.
The kit as a whole is definitely overkill for PC gamers, which is not surprising at all; at $300, it's not that much in terms of value for PC gamers. However, for its original purpose of setting up a small repair business, it is definitely a pretty useful product. Even if you plan to go to a monthly repair clinic in your local community (if there is such a thing), taking one of these to fix someone's aging laptop or cell phone would make you a real star. Provided, however, that you know what to do with it.
There is quite a bit of duplication throughout the kit. Not only are there tons of picks (admittedly, I've lost at least one over the years), but there are also duplicate spudgers, opening tools, and tweezers. Not all households need more than a few of these. In my experience, even an aged spudger will last a while. I still use the original set.
So while the whole thing may not be suitable for the average PC build, taking out a few key components may make life a little easier. whether you decide on iFixit's version is another thing entirely, but in general, I'm pretty impressed with the quality of everything here.
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