N0body H0me wrote:
The problem with the whole RoHS thing is that the
typical solder
formulation (60/40 tin/lead, for example) was chosen because it's
formulation was optimal for the job. The stuff they have to use
now obviously isn't.
We'll have a clean environment, but crappy electronic products.
The screwed up thing with this mentality is that, if a machine is worth
saving, it won't wind up in a landfill, therefore the lead will never
get a chance to leech into the water.
Of course this doesn't apply to everything, but the whole idea
disposable electronics is bad from the start. Perhaps this is just
another "advantage" to the manufacturers towards electronics that we're
meant to discard after a year or so.
A lot of stuff has unnecessarily incompatible custom plugs, power
supplies with ROMs inside of them designed so the device refuses third
party chargers, non-user replaceable batteries that last around a year,
cheap materials used for their cases and displays that easily scratch,
and the guarantee of a yearly newer model sporting more flash memory,
also non-user upgradeable. :-( Not to mention the rent seeking closed
operating systems and custom "stores" from which you can only buy
approved apps.
There'd be exponentially far less damage to the environment if these
shiny e-turds were instead built to last, upgradeable, and built open
standards. Even if leaded solder was used.