27 Apr
2012
27 Apr
'12
9:05 p.m.
On 27/04/12 11:26 PM, TeoZ wrote:
----- Original Message ----- From: "Toby Thain" <toby at
telegraphics.com.au>
To: <cctalk at classiccmp.org>
Sent: Friday, April 27, 2012 7:54 PM
Subject: Throwaway electronics - Re: OT: Re: Audiophilia
I didn't mention surprise. I just said it happens. "Shocking" or
"revolting" or "ultimately unsustainable" would be better words.
--T
On 27/04/12 4:38 PM, Eric Smith wrote:
Why is that surprising?
Modern PCs do have components you can replace
individually. There is
some variation, but typically the replaceable components are:
* system unit
* monitor
* power cable (typically two)
* video cable
* keyboard
* mouse
And *still* it's rarely done.
In fact the PC is often thrown out when the pre-installed operating
system "rots" or the hard drive dies.
Lets say your OS is hosed, few people have a clue how
to backup their
data (or something to back it up to), they don't have an OS CD anymore
(you need to burn an image when you get the new PC installed so the
maker can save a few cents), and they probably pirated or downloaded the
apps they use and don't have a clue where to find them again. If they
want to pay somebody its either a kid who doesn't have a clue what he is
doing or a local scammer who will snag parts from their machine and sell
them off.
Lets say the HD died. Where are they going to get another one outside of
going to the Geek Sqaud and paying more for a HD install (with a bare OS
if they are lucky) all for the cost of more then a new machine.
The fact is most computers are so cheap it isn't worth it for the non
geek to bother fixing anything they just buy a new one. The fact is with
the shift to mobile devices like laptops it isn't economical to repair
them when they won't physically last that long anyway. Another issue is
people are more comfortable with a fixed monthly bill then a monthly
payment PLUS extra cash for instant repairs (people are just living
paycheck to paycheck sometimes). I recall a sales guy I worked with in
the late 1990's who needed new tires on his 2 year old car that he
financed for 4 or 5 years. What the guy did was trade in the "old" car
for a new one (same model, the style didn't even change yet) and lost 2
years of payments just because he couldn't come up with the cash for 4
new tires but could live with a few extra years of payments.