Eight years later, the Switch is finally getting a real hardware upgrade. Better screen, better chip, better almost everything. But what about when you’re tr...
Repairability is important to me in things I buy. I’m glad iFixit get that information out quickly so I can decide to avoid or buy a thing better informed
Just out of curiosity how often do you end up actually repairing things?
Like I also factor repairs into my purchase choices but anymore I don’t remember the last thing I worked on that was an electronic. I did get a broken tractor up and running but it was “free” so that barely counts.
The reason I’m asking is I have this conflicting value versus my actual actions.
I repair a lot of my stuff, but bear in mind repairability isn’t just ‘can I fix it’, but ‘can anyone’, which includes repair shops.
The ideal easiest repair should only require a screwdriver and a replacement part.
Moderate may need soldering and some experience.
Worst case, all you can do is bin the whole product or find an expert, if it’s worth it.
(just broad examples thinking consumer electronics)
I’ve done various things from PS controllers to wireless earphones.
Not having shit glued, providing spare parts, making considerations during internal design all make huge difference in how easy and likely to succeed a repair is.
My wife’s car? Replaced a few parts over the decade we’ve owned it.
My old truck? Replaced several major parts over the 2 decades I owned it.
Computers? Most of my parts replaced are upgrades, but I’ve replaced a laptop keyboard, a cpu heatsink fan, a power supply, a case, two hard drives, and a dial up modem from a lightning strike all on PCs I’ve personally owned over the course of 30 years that I can remember. I also did warranty repair work for Dell, HP, and Lenovo/IBM in my time as a tech. So many laptop and desktop mainboards…
Don’t sell yourself short. Fixing up a tractor that was free only costs you the time and parts you invested into it. You saved something from being junked and having to buy a working tractor. That alone is worth the endeavor.
Oh yeah no selling myself short I’ve been bragging about the tractor non stop in real life. Huge deal saved tons of money. And it’s an antique John Deere so it’s really cool. I shared the story so that people here would realize I was being sincere.
Repairability is important to me in things I buy. I’m glad iFixit get that information out quickly so I can decide to avoid or buy a thing better informed
Just out of curiosity how often do you end up actually repairing things?
Like I also factor repairs into my purchase choices but anymore I don’t remember the last thing I worked on that was an electronic. I did get a broken tractor up and running but it was “free” so that barely counts.
The reason I’m asking is I have this conflicting value versus my actual actions.
Hobby tinkerers are their source of income, but Ifixit is mostly used by repair shops. It’s a great synergy.
I repair a lot of my stuff, but bear in mind repairability isn’t just ‘can I fix it’, but ‘can anyone’, which includes repair shops.
The ideal easiest repair should only require a screwdriver and a replacement part.
Moderate may need soldering and some experience.
Worst case, all you can do is bin the whole product or find an expert, if it’s worth it.
(just broad examples thinking consumer electronics)
I’ve done various things from PS controllers to wireless earphones.
Not having shit glued, providing spare parts, making considerations during internal design all make huge difference in how easy and likely to succeed a repair is.
My wife’s car? Replaced a few parts over the decade we’ve owned it.
My old truck? Replaced several major parts over the 2 decades I owned it.
Computers? Most of my parts replaced are upgrades, but I’ve replaced a laptop keyboard, a cpu heatsink fan, a power supply, a case, two hard drives, and a dial up modem from a lightning strike all on PCs I’ve personally owned over the course of 30 years that I can remember. I also did warranty repair work for Dell, HP, and Lenovo/IBM in my time as a tech. So many laptop and desktop mainboards…
Don’t sell yourself short. Fixing up a tractor that was free only costs you the time and parts you invested into it. You saved something from being junked and having to buy a working tractor. That alone is worth the endeavor.
Oh yeah no selling myself short I’ve been bragging about the tractor non stop in real life. Huge deal saved tons of money. And it’s an antique John Deere so it’s really cool. I shared the story so that people here would realize I was being sincere.
I think I have personally fixed my last three phones, my current one is so far undamaged. I’m clumsy and break phone screens too often.
I have kept old fishing gear in service where my friends replace their gear every few years.
I did maintenance and mechanical repair on my cars before they went electric.
My computer keyboard is currently on “the healing bench” waiting for the correct size LEDs, as I destroyed the LED for a key role replacing its switch
I really hate throwing stuff out when a minor but vital part is broken.
Better repairability also makes repair cheaper if you pay someone to do it
Thanks for your answer. I also have many things I’ve had for years.