Programmed obsolescence on pc: what is it and how does it affect us?

We always bring you news and content on the technology of yesterday and today for our readers. For them one of the issues that seem to concern them most is the idea that consumer electronics have an expiration date from the moment they leave the factory. This phenomenon has known names and surnames that we want to talk about today; We will discuss programmed obsolescence: what it is and how it affects the PC. We invite you to join us.

Index of contents

The various types of obsolescence

Scheduled obsolescence is one of the longest-running open discussions among consumers. Image: Flickr; Jose Franaguillo.

In a text focused on obsolescence (technology, to be specific) it is essential to understand what we mean by using this term. Technically, we speak of obsolescence when we consider that a product cannot continue to fulfill the function for which it was created; that is, that either due to its condition or its qualities, the use of said element is no longer optimal.

Thanks to this definition, we can estimate that there are various ways of reaching a state of obsolescence; of all these forms, the most common in the world of technology are the following:

• Prevention of repair. Whether by design or other factors, the manufacturer may have created a device that, in the event of a breakdown, is so difficult (or costly) to repair that a new model is a better option. Compromised durability. When the quality of the product itself is compromised by its construction; that is to say, that it is rendered useless by its natural use. Systemic obsolescence. When the impossibility of using a product comes deliberately through making it difficult; as well as when a product is outdated by other alternatives (technological gap). Perception of obsolescence. It happens when the consumer perceives that the product they are using is obsolete, although it does not necessarily have to be this way. It usually occurs in markets with very fast advances and many launches, such as technology.

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The story of a light bulb

When we say the term " programmed obsolescence " we are referring to the idea that the useful life of a product is pre-established by the manufacturer; that is, that the end of the life of a device is raised from the same design. Under this idea, it is understood that, through obsolescence or uselessness, buyers are obliged to buy a new product after a while; since the ultimate objective after this practice is not to create a quality product, but to maintain a perpetual active consumption cycle.

The light bulb in this fire station has been active for more than 100 years.

This idea may sound twisted; But there have been numerous case studies throughout history that have pointed to this practice. One of the first recorded was the Phoebus Cartel of 1924; in which numerous companies dedicated to the manufacture and sale of light bulbs established a limit lifespan of 1000 hours for all products of this type. The cartel lasted until the beginning of World War II, but its effects have lasted until today and are still a case study. The contrast is more sympathetic: a light bulb installed in 1900 in the Livermore (California) fire station is still imperturbably lit even today; It was manufactured prior to the cartel.

Currently, there are laws that regulate these bad practices; while other elements, such as consumer rights and guarantees, help to avoid this type of situation; while sectors such as the automobile have a contrary case: the cars of today are more durable according to several studies. However, the idea of ​​planned obsolescence remains in place, especially within sectors such as technology. Why does this happen?

"Created to last forever"

If you had (as an individual) to give an explanation to the question posed at the end of the previous paragraph; I would say that it is because in the technology sector there is a fine line between obsolescence due to technological advances and the need to “go to the last” within this sector. To think that programmed obsolescence is still one more tool for a group of large companies to take advantage of users is too Manichean; But to ignore the fact that entire industries, such as the Smartphone industry , drag functional products into obsolescence through fads and risky launches would be very naive.

Within the technology sector; We cannot ignore the fact that the value of new devices launched on the market is always focused on technological advancement itself; in the desire to, or to do new things, or to do the same as always. But in this tireless race for leadership and innovation, the mantra of "seeking the highest quality" has been left somewhat behind in favor of being the most leading in the market; at least, by the bulk of the companies. A trend that leaves users in a somewhat compromised position; a position where they must choose whether to enter the maelstrom of new releases, or inevitably fall behind.

Where do computers come into all of this?

Second-hand hardware tends to have good durability and has its own market.

Within the technology and consumer electronics markets; The computing sector is especially sensitive, as it is an integral part of the systems that support many other industries. Our computers and their components are one more tool that supports our activities; And like all tools, we want them to work as well as possible.

There is hardly any kind of planned obsolescence in an industry where there are few developers and manufacturers and many active agents, because there is no need to create more demand. The mere technological gap and the impetus of consumers to remain technologically relevant serves to fuel this demand for new products. It would be counterproductive to stimulate it artificially; But there is a certain type of obsolescence that we could call "programmed" by the manufacturer; since they control when systemic obsolescence occurs, which directly affects our computers.

The obsolescence of our components is not functional…

Within industrial engineering there is a discipline focused on studying the life cycle of products; its reliability; its correct development and operation. Within this discipline, the theory of “the bathtub curve” is especially interesting; which estimates that the life cycle of products, or components in our case, is less prone to failure once the first months of operation have been exceeded. It takes into account factors such as repairability, or random failures and is used to estimate warranties and other applications. In our context; We could say that if a component does not fail in its first months of use, it is more likely to function properly until the end of its life.

The so-called curve of the bathtub. Image: instrumentationtools.

The second-hand market in PC components works because the durability of these components is very high. If used correctly, it is strange that a piece of our equipment stops working; Furthermore, the launch of new series and generations does not correspond to the end of the life cycle of our components; reason why the relief is more an option than an obligation.

… but systemic

It is at this point that the systematization of obsolescence that we talk about in the title of this paragraph enters. Since the only way for us to change components from one generation to another is that the characteristics of this new generation attract us enough to take the plunge; It is usually common in this industry to shield these features artificially.

Consider how diligently Intel's sockets change from one generation to the next; in the case of AMD denying the BIOS updates that allow to use PCI 4.0 on previous boards; even in the controversy that there was a few years ago about the loss of performance of certain GPU models after the driver update. Since the only claim for a new purchase is technological advancement, limiting new features is a widespread practice that we have to deal with.

Not everything is bad for consumers

Systemic obsolescence can be a problem within the home computing industry; But one should not be unnecessarily alarmist. Companies and manufacturers don't design their products to fail; since in the current market they would have to face fines of several million and the loss of the confidence of their consumers, something very important at present. It is true that some of the practices they carry out are reprehensible, but on more than one occasion those same techniques have been used against them; both by the competition of one or another company, and by the users themselves. We cannot understand "programmed obsolescence" as we did in the 19th century; now it is a matter closer to excessive consumption.

Production failures related to durability are heavily punished by competition; attacking the brand image. As it happened after the launch of the iPhone 6; or with failed Galaxy Notes batteries.

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The existence of platforms and initiatives that advocate the reuse of our components (think of iFixit or Latte Creative, for example) and increase their useful life serve as a balm in an industry that, on certain occasions, seems to forget about the consequences of consumption. excessive.