Why Do Electronics Get Outdated So Fast?

In recent years, we have witnessed a dramatic shift in the way our electronic devices become outdated due to a gradual decline in popularity. One would expect a crucial electronic device to last for many years, if not decades, a generation ago.

Modern electronics seem to be thrown into the trash in a short time.

The obsolescence is often due to the availability of a replacement product which has, in summary, more advantages than the disadvantages encountered during the maintenance or repair of the original.

For example, Processors do not become less efficient over time; but software can become more demanding as newer processors become more powerful. Another example, a single core 2.8GHZz processor is becoming outdated in today’s game when games can run on multi-core processors.

After ten years, there will be CPUs with better performance than everyone wants to ask as it is today.

Why Then Does Our Electronic Devices Get Outdated So Fast?

We are in a significant era of technological progress, and we are a generation obsessed with technology. We have all kinds of gadgets – from our devices to our computers to laptops to our ever-changing mobile phones.

We change our gadgets almost every time as if we are buying new cloth. Whenever a new update is available, we throw out our old devices and buy a new one.

What is the cause of this change in the life expectancy of our useful gadgets?

1. Preferences

We’ve all been there.

This usually happens when a new product or technology replaces the previous one, and you prefer to use the latest technology. Historical examples of new technologies that replace old ones include bronze, which replaces flint tools, DVDs that replace videotapes, and telephones that replace telegraphs.

On a more small scale, a particular product may come under the category of outdated electronic devices when a newer version replaces it. Many products in the computer industry are becoming out of date.

For example, CPUs often become out of date in favor of more modern and faster units. Individually, the rapid obsolescence of data formats and the associated hardware and software can lead to the loss of critical information, a process known as digital obsolescence.

2. Competition

Yes, it’s true!

The technology industry is full of companies that create significant demand and even higher levels of competition, forcing products to improve faster than ever. It is interesting to note that the electronic and computer industries do not have dominant brands or concepts.

On the contrary, many highly competitive companies are challenging themselves to increase their products’ development, making innovation ultra-fast. Products can also become outdated electronic devices when supporting technologies are no longer available to produce or even repair a product.

For example, many integrated circuits, including processors, memory, and even relatively simple logic chips, may no longer be created because the technology has been replaced, their original developer has ceased operations, or a competitor has purchased them and kill off their products effectively to eliminate competition. It is rarely worthwhile to redesign a product to address these issues as its overall functionality and the price/quality ratio have also been replaced at this time.

3. Application

For the first time, it dawns on you.

Technology continues to improve every day because that’s what we expect. Server storage has increased from kilobytes (KB), Megabytes (MB), Gigabytes (GB) to Terabytes (TB).

When the software you want to run no longer works (securely) on your version, it is when it becomes “outdated.” I have a friend who has an HP laptop. The laptop processor is still technically capable of running the required software, but since software updates are no longer available, it comes under the category of outdated electronic devices. It is perfectly capable of doing what I need (secure finance), but it cannot be updated outside of Windows XP, and Microsoft no longer supports Windows XP; he had to remove it partially. In this case, software support often ends well before the system runs.

Also, according to gamers, you need at least a quad-core processor and a powerful dedicated GPU from Nvidia or AMD to handle most of today’s game.

Along with this, several electronics have numerous utilities that the most recent versions have become a core part of our daily lives. There was a time when electronics were a leisure or recreation device; today it has become an essential need for every person to communicate, stay updated, transact, and so on.

There are so many TVs and Smart TVs nearly in the houses of every American family, and year after year, ACs, refrigerators, washing machines, and other electronic appliances are becoming more & more productive and responsible as entrepreneurs aggressively compete.

We are attached and dependant on electronics; this is one of the reasons why electronic devices are becoming outdated so fast with time.

4. Demand

Think about it this way

Demand is so constant that investment in this sector is widespread and consistent. In other words, consumers want the latest, fastest, and best electronics. As a result, companies are always putting the focus on producing these items that help them stay one step ahead. This makes the previous flagship models quickly get categorized as under outdated electronic devices for end-users.

Traditional Hard Disk Drives depend on the SATA III protocol, which is capped at 6GPS. This speed was more than sufficient until 2016. Now, as computers begin to support newer and faster standards, the hard disk drive could not hold up.

We are officially in the “cloud” era, where we back up all of our data on online storage services such as Microsoft’s Box, Dropbox, iCloud, Google Drive, Carbonite, and SkyDrive. As a result, backing up data on floppies or CDs has become outdated.

Now every business is competing, including Google. The demand for more elegant, faster, and more innovative products is so high that the technology sector’s investments remain consistent. Companies are continually emphasizing the importance of creating new products that help consumers stay one step ahead.

Outdated Electronic Devices Impact On The Environment

Undoubtedly, this has a tremendous impact on the number of electronics that reach landfills tips because of everyone getting rid of their outdated electronic devices. Every outdated electronic device has to be successfully disposed of, to reduce the pollution & waste generated because of our behavior of quickly shifting to newer electronic devices.

To Conclude

It’s just the beginning

Electronics is such an essential part of our world that it will play a significant role in our future. The internet has provoked incredible globalization and cultural diffusion during its short existence.

Technology and electronics are improving every day because that’s what the human race wants, and improvements should be made to our lives. We have technology and electronics at home, in our machines, in our schools, at our workplaces. We are connected by it. Our living depends on it. That’s why electronics are quickly becoming outdated.

It is up to the consumer to ensure that their outdated device is disposed of responsibly, reducing the damage and waste caused by our rapidly changing world of electronic components. These devices should be given to companies that handle e-waste, such as StarPc Excess. We buy old Server, Hard drives, processors, networks, and Storage Devices in bulk.

We are one of the most trusted IT disposal companies with over 26 years of electronic waste disposal management experience.

Relevant Resources:

ITAD Transparency: How To Ensure That Your E-waste Is Properly Recycled

Why Reselling I.T Equipment Is More Sustainable Than Recycling