Live data from Hacker News

Apple’s repair kill switch hasn’t been activated yet

ifixit.org

31–40 of 166 posts

Re: Apple’s repair kill switch hasn’t been activated yet

#31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Well, if every manufacturer is doing it, there are probably good reasons for it. I doubt they've all gone mad at the same time.

What's good for manufacturers (the bottom line) is not necessarily good for consumers (or the environment).

But it is very good for manufacturers (their bottom line) to make what consumers demand.

If no one is making the products you'd want them to make, it's probably because no one is buying them, after all.

Re: Apple’s repair kill switch hasn’t been activated yet

#32
post #3

I mean this seems very reasonable from Apple's perspective. They're trying to avoid their brand being tarnished by bad repair shops with questionable repair skills cutting corners with cheap and unsupported parts. Given how large the resale market is for Apple products I would even say that this is an extremely positive policy because as long as the machine boots you can be pretty darn sure your MacBook is just like…

Unless they own the computer, it's not reasonable to disable it because their service is not used. Taking steps to actively, for no technical, or ( for me ) functional reason is such an customer hostile idea, that I can't really understand how it can ever be seen as reasonable?

Their brand being tarnished is of no concern to me as a consumer and user of their product, and neither should it. They do with their brand as they wish, and I with the product I bought as I wish. If a producer wishes otherwise, they simply can't say, or claim that they are selling the product.

It's really just a simple case of Apple trying to have the cake, and eat it too.

That, and that Apple these days seem to be doing everything in their power to make their brand into a luxury brand, and you obviously can't have a luxury brand that the less well off can actually buy, and afford to use, even second hand. Some satire yes, but nevertheless how luxury brands mostly works.

Re: Apple’s repair kill switch hasn’t been activated yet

#34
post #18
post #2

Apple is really undoubtedly the king of making their products impossible to repair. This doesn't bother me much since I have long abandoned apple. What bothers me is that everyone follows their bad example. Not only is a modern phone impossible to open, everything is glued in. Even laptops are like this. I have even seen other manufacturers stop using underfill in their phones, just like apple. Probably to make broke…

Sounds like we need more laws around manufacturing things to make them possible to repair and the prohibition of stopping 3rd party repair. Hell the EU should pass something along these lines. It's pretty much necessary at this point.

It's easy for me to buy iPhone repair services where I live, despite it being less repairable.

Re: Apple’s repair kill switch hasn’t been activated yet

#35
post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Well, if every manufacturer is doing it, there are probably good reasons for it. I doubt they've all gone mad at the same time.

No removable batteries, no expandable memory, no headphone jack and now the notch. All undeniable evidence on manufacturers copying(?) Apple's choices at least in phones. As a user, I strongly feel these are not in my best interests. And I realize I am not alone in this. Apple being the magnitude that it is now, cannot afford to make choices to attract folks like me with their 'reimagined' and 'breakthrough' innovati…

Add a metal back (not glass!), a matte screen, and an easily-rootable OS and I'll buy it yesterday.

Re: Apple’s repair kill switch hasn’t been activated yet

#36
post #21
post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Sounds like we need more laws around manufacturing things to make them possible to repair and the prohibition of stopping 3rd party repair. Hell the EU should pass something along these lines. It's pretty much necessary at this point.

A simple scale of build quality and repairablity that must be glued on the box, similar to the energy class (at least in the EU) would be a good start.

Interesting idea. iFixIt releases repairability scores for laptops [1] and phones [2].

As an avid tinkerer, it is shocking and disheartening to see the most popular products on both lists with the least scores !

What is the next generation of tinkerers going to muck their teens around ?

[1]: https://www.ifixit.com/laptop-repairability

[2]: https://www.ifixit.com/smartphone-repairability

Re: Apple’s repair kill switch hasn’t been activated yet

#37

I dropped my iPhone X with a front and back cover yet glass still broke on both sides. It happens, but thanks to the rear glass being welded to frame and new front glass technology it costs $828 to replace. Repair shops are charging more than Apple store. $279 for Front glass $549 for Rear glass

Last time this happened to me - (I dropped my iPhone 5 on a ride and a car subsequently ran over the device) Apple simply quoted me $299 to replace the device.

Also carrier insurance/replacement programs are also good options.

Re: Apple’s repair kill switch hasn’t been activated yet

#38
post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

No removable batteries, no expandable memory, no headphone jack and now the notch. All undeniable evidence on manufacturers copying(?) Apple's choices at least in phones. As a user, I strongly feel these are not in my best interests. And I realize I am not alone in this. Apple being the magnitude that it is now, cannot afford to make choices to attract folks like me with their 'reimagined' and 'breakthrough' innovati…

Add a metal back (not glass!), a matte screen, and an easily-rootable OS and I'll buy it yesterday.

I will totally own that !

Re: Apple’s repair kill switch hasn’t been activated yet

#39
post #2

Apple is really undoubtedly the king of making their products impossible to repair. This doesn't bother me much since I have long abandoned apple. What bothers me is that everyone follows their bad example. Not only is a modern phone impossible to open, everything is glued in. Even laptops are like this. I have even seen other manufacturers stop using underfill in their phones, just like apple. Probably to make broke…

Well, if every manufacturer is doing it, there are probably good reasons for it. I doubt they've all gone mad at the same time.

“Wrong does not cease to be wrong because the majority share in it.” ― Leo Tolstoy

Re: Apple’s repair kill switch hasn’t been activated yet

#40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What's good for manufacturers (the bottom line) is not necessarily good for consumers (or the environment).

But it is very good for manufacturers (their bottom line) to make what consumers demand. If no one is making the products you'd want them to make, it's probably because no one is buying them, after all.

Lock-in is a real thing.
Post reply on HN