Re: the computer built to last 50 years

Stefan Ram <ram@zedat.fu-berlin.de> wrote:

Salvador Mirzo <smirzo@example.com> wrote or quoted:

                 The computer built to last 50 years

 
 I bought an off-the-shelf laptop (probably China-made) in
 2014, used it ever since, and am using it right now. So it
 lasted about 11 years, or 22 percent of 50 years already,
 probably with less than 22 percent of the effort described
 in "The computer built to last 50 years" . . .

I'm coming to your from a desktop PC built around thirty years ago
(except for a replaced PSU). Past half-way there!

Batteries aside, for laptops I think buying a few of the same model
second-hand, maybe coming cheaply from a business which upgraded, is
the sensible route. With the others as spare parts and replacements.
It wouldn't be cost-effective if everyone did it, but it works for
old low-spec models that nobody wants, yet which have ample power
for many tasks. That way you're also protected against the boards
and chips needed to repair even a modular design going out of
production.

Battery cells in packs can be replaced after they go out of
production, but some are glued/clipped together so strongly that
dismantling them without significant breakage is near impossible.
The MNT Reform is designed for replaceable battery cells, but you
won't be able to stock up on other spares for it cheaply like
with mainstream laptop models. So my philosophy does hit a wall
when it comes to batteries (it might not bode well for life with
electric cars either).

The article's author says they don't mind some weight though, so
maybe just carry around a separate battery pack and inverter?

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