[jonrob]

If it was just a case that hardware capacity has reached a point where most of us really don't need to upgrade our computers any more, that would be one thing. But the article also says that many of Apple's decisions are making their laptops less recyclable - even if the actual materials they're being made from are more so. This is a serious issue that people should care about.

People should also care about not being able to replace their batteries. Even if the rest of the hardware remains useful after 2, 3 or even 4 years, a battery is a consumable. It gets used up. In the article, it says the original Macbook Air was rated for 300 charges. That's not a lot, and since you can't replace it, you're going to find yourself buying a new laptop in 2 or 3 years even if the rest of the hardware would have lasted 5 or 6 years. And your old laptop won't be recycled either, because they decided to glue everything together.

[gnaffle]

First of all Apple has a battery replacement program that is way, way cheaper than buying a new laptop ($129-199 for a MBP depending on the size of the laptop).

And you'll probably be able to buy aftermarket batteries just as you can with iPhones. I replaced the battery in my 3GS and it wasn't difficult at all even though the battery was glued in.

It's not like it's glued to the chassis with epoxy resin, it's designed to be replaced. iFixit didn't want to completely ruin the battery of their new laptop, so they kept it in.

[taligent]

What are you talking about ? The battery IS replaceable just not by you.

And I hardly think saving an hour at an Apple Store once every 3 years is worth having a substantially thicker device.

[ken]

You'll probably get one use of that, then. I doubt they'll still have 2012 Macbook Pro batteries sitting around in 2018, much less a person who knows how to install them.

I took my 2006 Macbook in to an Apple retail store to get a new battery, and they don't stock them any more. They said they could special order one, but actually suggested I try Amazon.

[evan_]

> I took my 2006 Macbook in to an Apple retail store to get a new battery, and they don't stock them any more.

You'd have the same problem in 2018 even if you had a replaceable battery.

[dman]

How long before we hit the - The device is programmable, just not by you.

[__float]

Developers that write apps to fill the App Store give people a reason to buy their products in the first place. This is paranoid nonsense.

[Ralith]

We're already most of the way there with iOS. The Windows 8 ARM UEFI stuff is pretty foreboding too.