buying a new computer every time something new is available is unsustainable

Posted by jcravens42

on 9 Jul 2019 1:08 PM

"The delight we take in our shiny new device is quite literally unsustainable."

A review of the exact impact of laptops' impact on the environment and human rights, in terms of their production and disposal.

For ways to reduce this impact, the article recommends:

purchasing laptops second-hand, refurbished or remanufactured
keep devices until they are unusable, rather than try to keep up with the newest models
lease rather than buy

I'm on my 5th Apple computer since 1994, so that's a new computer every five years. Although I've had this latest MacBook, which I bought refurbished, for six years, and will have to stretch it out until next year, at the very least, for budget reasons... and so far, I've been able to resell or donate the computers I've let go of... though I think my Mac Classic II from the 90s is somewhere in my Mom's house...

-=-=-=-=-=-
Jayne Cravens
Author, The LAST Virtual Volunteering Guidebook

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Posted by kyletheguy9009

on 16 Jul 2019 9:25 PM

Makes a lot of sense, really. Before, I've been buying a windows laptop every 1-2 years, and I finally gave up and purchased a macbook. Still gonna see how far this one will go, but I have a good feeling about it.

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Posted by Gunpowder

on 24 Jul 2019 1:39 PM

I have been building a Thinkpads ever 5 years. I spec them to handle changes in software demands out to 5 years. By then it is time for a new one. My current one just went out of warranty this winter (3 yr warranty). This spring my LCD broke (my fault). I replaced it myself. My HD also went bad and I installed a new SSD this time as the cost has dropped. The machine is faster than the thinkpads I specked for my kids (both in college). I am easily good for a few more years.

Select a good processor, spec decent ram and go with a SSD (cheaper now) so that will last longer with no moving parts. I have advised others and their Thinkpads have lasted their college career and then some. A Dell business class should do just as well.

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buying a new computer every time something new is available is unsustainable

buying a new computer every time something new is available is unsustainable

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