I just don't understand why certain consumer appliances or electronics do not last as long as they used to.
Here are some cases I've seen for myself (device failures)
1. Fujitsu N3510 (Purchased 2005) - I've spent $1500 dollars on this notebook computer at Fry's Electronics in 2005. After two years, strange graphics issues
appeared even in POST screens. I figured it was most likely a graphics chip failure. The notebook computer could not be repaired since the graphics chip was soldered on the motherboard in a way that was not possible to replace by normal end users.
2. A Panasonic Inverter Technology Microwave Oven (Purchased 2007) - This oven stopped working after only about three months from date of purchase. Since I was
living alone in a college apartment, I only put light use on the microwave to heat TV dinners.
3. Netgear WGR614 v6 (Purchased 2006) - This device's wireless networking functionality quickly deteriorated in 2009. I opened the device and found the plastic right below and above the Broadcom chip was discolored. Apparently, a design flaw or manufacturing process mistake to omit a chip heat-sink has led to premature failure of the device.
4. A Logitech wireless keyboard (Purchased 2005) - This keyboard only worked for three years before it stopped working for unknown reasons. From that point, I purchased a wired keyboard and vowed not to buy wireless keyboards anymore. In fact, I have a friend that recently decided to buy a remade old model keyboard that featured buckling spring keys instead of rubber dome ones.
Here are some of my electronics that still work:
1. Viewsonic GS771 CRT computer monitor (1999) - My mom bought this monitor in 1999 for use at work. She stopped using the monitor a few years later when she upgraded to a Viewsonic LCD monitor. I brought this monitor home and used it as a second monitor for my PC. This monitor is still functioning and the image is still sharp.
2. Jenn-Air M130 Microwave oven (1990) - This microwave oven, with touch keys and vacuum fluorescent 7-seg display, still functions despite regular use for the last 20 years. The microwave came with my current house.
3. Sony 32" Trinitron TV (1995) - This television is my current family room television. Image quality has not degraded noticeably at all. In fact, this TV is used an average of 5 hours a day for the last 15 years.
4. Panasonic Stereo Music System SG-D35 (1985) - This home audio system features an AM/FM electronic tuner with 16 memory presets, dual compact cassette deck, and phono turntable. The system even had an IR remote control which still works. The cassette decks and turntable no longer functions. Other functions still work. I currently use this system as a computer speaker system for my PC.
I am aware of planned obsolescence and believe the practice isn't developed recently. In fact, I found that this practice has existed since right after the US Great Depression of 1930s. So why do many of the consumer electronics I buy more recently fail to have reasonable lifespans. Shouldn't the world have more knowledge and experience on engineering better consumer electronics?
Here are some cases I've seen for myself (device failures)
1. Fujitsu N3510 (Purchased 2005) - I've spent $1500 dollars on this notebook computer at Fry's Electronics in 2005. After two years, strange graphics issues
appeared even in POST screens. I figured it was most likely a graphics chip failure. The notebook computer could not be repaired since the graphics chip was soldered on the motherboard in a way that was not possible to replace by normal end users.
2. A Panasonic Inverter Technology Microwave Oven (Purchased 2007) - This oven stopped working after only about three months from date of purchase. Since I was
living alone in a college apartment, I only put light use on the microwave to heat TV dinners.
3. Netgear WGR614 v6 (Purchased 2006) - This device's wireless networking functionality quickly deteriorated in 2009. I opened the device and found the plastic right below and above the Broadcom chip was discolored. Apparently, a design flaw or manufacturing process mistake to omit a chip heat-sink has led to premature failure of the device.
4. A Logitech wireless keyboard (Purchased 2005) - This keyboard only worked for three years before it stopped working for unknown reasons. From that point, I purchased a wired keyboard and vowed not to buy wireless keyboards anymore. In fact, I have a friend that recently decided to buy a remade old model keyboard that featured buckling spring keys instead of rubber dome ones.
Here are some of my electronics that still work:
1. Viewsonic GS771 CRT computer monitor (1999) - My mom bought this monitor in 1999 for use at work. She stopped using the monitor a few years later when she upgraded to a Viewsonic LCD monitor. I brought this monitor home and used it as a second monitor for my PC. This monitor is still functioning and the image is still sharp.
2. Jenn-Air M130 Microwave oven (1990) - This microwave oven, with touch keys and vacuum fluorescent 7-seg display, still functions despite regular use for the last 20 years. The microwave came with my current house.
3. Sony 32" Trinitron TV (1995) - This television is my current family room television. Image quality has not degraded noticeably at all. In fact, this TV is used an average of 5 hours a day for the last 15 years.
4. Panasonic Stereo Music System SG-D35 (1985) - This home audio system features an AM/FM electronic tuner with 16 memory presets, dual compact cassette deck, and phono turntable. The system even had an IR remote control which still works. The cassette decks and turntable no longer functions. Other functions still work. I currently use this system as a computer speaker system for my PC.
I am aware of planned obsolescence and believe the practice isn't developed recently. In fact, I found that this practice has existed since right after the US Great Depression of 1930s. So why do many of the consumer electronics I buy more recently fail to have reasonable lifespans. Shouldn't the world have more knowledge and experience on engineering better consumer electronics?