The enshittification of computer repair is happening.
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@JustinMac84 @pluralistic @iFixit It is entirely speculative, so no. If the AI demand disappears in the next few months, we’d probably see the prices drop back towards normal (I hope?)
@sawaba @JustinMac84 @pluralistic @iFixit That's what I'm hoping for as well. I've seen people upset that they can't afford 64GB of DDR5 right now, but: 1) I can't imagine how average people are using 64GB of RAM; and 2) if you just wait 6-12 months I'm sure the price is going to tank because we've seen this cycle multiple times already.
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The enshittification of computer repair is happening.
AI has amazingly managed to make repairable computers practically worthless.
The increase in memory and storage pricing is destroying the second-hand market for computing hardware and this makes me sad. I watched a video from someone that runs a repair shop, and this is what's happening:
The memory/storage alone is worth more than the rest of the computer, so people are stripping them out to sell separately.
The second hand market is now flooded with computers that have no memory or storage. Buying new memory or storage to put in these used computers is now more expensive than buying a new computer.
So we now suddenly have a giant e-waste problem PLUS a giant problem for repair shops that want to stay in business.
In the video, he was basically saying that they have to pivot to the only computers that folks aren't stripping RAM and storage out of - computers that have those things soldered on. The irony here is that repair shops now have to ignore the most repairable computers and focus on the least repairable computers instead.
@pluralistic @iFixit It just KILLS me that repairable, modular manufacturers are getting punished here, because they can be more easily stripped for their most valuable parts and then discarded.
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@sawaba @JustinMac84 @pluralistic @iFixit That's what I'm hoping for as well. I've seen people upset that they can't afford 64GB of DDR5 right now, but: 1) I can't imagine how average people are using 64GB of RAM; and 2) if you just wait 6-12 months I'm sure the price is going to tank because we've seen this cycle multiple times already.
@bryce @JustinMac84 @pluralistic @iFixit if it is that temporary, most folks can just hold out. We already regularly give advice to “not buy a new laptop right now, wait 6 months until the new model comes out”
But if it lasts any longer than 6-12 months…
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@pluralistic @iFixit It just KILLS me that repairable, modular manufacturers are getting punished here, because they can be more easily stripped for their most valuable parts and then discarded.
@pluralistic @iFixit and it’s not even that computer repair was enshittified here - it’s that the sphere of AI enshittification influence has enveloped PC repair and destroyed its margins in a matter of months.
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@bryce @JustinMac84 @pluralistic @iFixit if it is that temporary, most folks can just hold out. We already regularly give advice to “not buy a new laptop right now, wait 6 months until the new model comes out”
But if it lasts any longer than 6-12 months…
@sawaba @JustinMac84 @pluralistic @iFixit Honestly, I also think average users would be completely satisfied with older (aka: uninflated) hardware like DDR3. I don't like giving people the suggestion of "just buy a bunch of old parts and build it yourself," especially for non-enthusiasts, but if you *need* a PC and aren't planning on playing the latest AAA games..?
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@sawaba @JustinMac84 @pluralistic @iFixit Honestly, I also think average users would be completely satisfied with older (aka: uninflated) hardware like DDR3. I don't like giving people the suggestion of "just buy a bunch of old parts and build it yourself," especially for non-enthusiasts, but if you *need* a PC and aren't planning on playing the latest AAA games..?
@sawaba @JustinMac84 @pluralistic @iFixit I was able to upgrade an old enterprise server into a personal NAS with 128GB of RAM and 2 of literally the best CPUs available for the socket and I think the whole upgrade cost me $80 (both CPUs were only $20 combined). Granted, that was a few years ago and like I said the hardware is dated, but it's also still insanely overkill for what I use it for.
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The enshittification of computer repair is happening.
AI has amazingly managed to make repairable computers practically worthless.
The increase in memory and storage pricing is destroying the second-hand market for computing hardware and this makes me sad. I watched a video from someone that runs a repair shop, and this is what's happening:
The memory/storage alone is worth more than the rest of the computer, so people are stripping them out to sell separately.
The second hand market is now flooded with computers that have no memory or storage. Buying new memory or storage to put in these used computers is now more expensive than buying a new computer.
So we now suddenly have a giant e-waste problem PLUS a giant problem for repair shops that want to stay in business.
In the video, he was basically saying that they have to pivot to the only computers that folks aren't stripping RAM and storage out of - computers that have those things soldered on. The irony here is that repair shops now have to ignore the most repairable computers and focus on the least repairable computers instead.
@sawaba @pluralistic @iFixit This is literally the worst outcome. What the fuck.
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@sawaba @JustinMac84 @pluralistic @iFixit I was able to upgrade an old enterprise server into a personal NAS with 128GB of RAM and 2 of literally the best CPUs available for the socket and I think the whole upgrade cost me $80 (both CPUs were only $20 combined). Granted, that was a few years ago and like I said the hardware is dated, but it's also still insanely overkill for what I use it for.
@bryce @JustinMac84 @pluralistic @iFixit True - computers don’t fall off a cliff like they used to. An M1 Macbook is still plenty fast for 99% of people today.
I just revived a 2017 Lenovo X1 Carbon a few weeks ago with Linux. Runs like a dream and I got everything working on it - even the 4g modem!
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The enshittification of computer repair is happening.
AI has amazingly managed to make repairable computers practically worthless.
The increase in memory and storage pricing is destroying the second-hand market for computing hardware and this makes me sad. I watched a video from someone that runs a repair shop, and this is what's happening:
The memory/storage alone is worth more than the rest of the computer, so people are stripping them out to sell separately.
The second hand market is now flooded with computers that have no memory or storage. Buying new memory or storage to put in these used computers is now more expensive than buying a new computer.
So we now suddenly have a giant e-waste problem PLUS a giant problem for repair shops that want to stay in business.
In the video, he was basically saying that they have to pivot to the only computers that folks aren't stripping RAM and storage out of - computers that have those things soldered on. The irony here is that repair shops now have to ignore the most repairable computers and focus on the least repairable computers instead.
What's the issue, you can just use 'AWS cloud computer'for a low low price of only $99/mo. Computers are an outdated concept, you lot just don't want progress.
/s
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What's the issue, you can just use 'AWS cloud computer'for a low low price of only $99/mo. Computers are an outdated concept, you lot just don't want progress.
/s
@sawaba For the uninitiated, the `/s` at the end means I'm being sarcastic
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The enshittification of computer repair is happening.
AI has amazingly managed to make repairable computers practically worthless.
The increase in memory and storage pricing is destroying the second-hand market for computing hardware and this makes me sad. I watched a video from someone that runs a repair shop, and this is what's happening:
The memory/storage alone is worth more than the rest of the computer, so people are stripping them out to sell separately.
The second hand market is now flooded with computers that have no memory or storage. Buying new memory or storage to put in these used computers is now more expensive than buying a new computer.
So we now suddenly have a giant e-waste problem PLUS a giant problem for repair shops that want to stay in business.
In the video, he was basically saying that they have to pivot to the only computers that folks aren't stripping RAM and storage out of - computers that have those things soldered on. The irony here is that repair shops now have to ignore the most repairable computers and focus on the least repairable computers instead.
@sawaba @pluralistic @iFixit
When OpenAI goes belly up there will be a fire sale on all that RAM they ordered and can't pay for. -
@sawaba @pluralistic @iFixit
When OpenAI goes belly up there will be a fire sale on all that RAM they ordered and can't pay for.@davbram @sawaba @pluralistic@mamot.fr @iFixit
That's one of the strangest parts of all this, at least to me, if one customer wants an absolutely massive order that might tank the business if it doesn't get paid for, then they have to pay up front for it, doesn't it just make sense?
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@davbram @sawaba @pluralistic@mamot.fr @iFixit
That's one of the strangest parts of all this, at least to me, if one customer wants an absolutely massive order that might tank the business if it doesn't get paid for, then they have to pay up front for it, doesn't it just make sense?
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The enshittification of computer repair is happening.
AI has amazingly managed to make repairable computers practically worthless.
The increase in memory and storage pricing is destroying the second-hand market for computing hardware and this makes me sad. I watched a video from someone that runs a repair shop, and this is what's happening:
The memory/storage alone is worth more than the rest of the computer, so people are stripping them out to sell separately.
The second hand market is now flooded with computers that have no memory or storage. Buying new memory or storage to put in these used computers is now more expensive than buying a new computer.
So we now suddenly have a giant e-waste problem PLUS a giant problem for repair shops that want to stay in business.
In the video, he was basically saying that they have to pivot to the only computers that folks aren't stripping RAM and storage out of - computers that have those things soldered on. The irony here is that repair shops now have to ignore the most repairable computers and focus on the least repairable computers instead.
This is very sad annoying, & frustrating.
For years I have been one of many who depend on 2nd hand devices, repaired & repurposed - esp.. laptops . To help other people & my self have access to decent computers (often as their first device)
Some have served me well - a Thinkpad X1, a X 220 , old Dell's , they more that did their job.
Suddenly such options such access will be more expensive or not available -
Apart from the gross environmental costs.
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@pluralistic @iFixit and it’s not even that computer repair was enshittified here - it’s that the sphere of AI enshittification influence has enveloped PC repair and destroyed its margins in a matter of months.
You're making me think of this (long) video about AI accelerating existing problems.
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The enshittification of computer repair is happening.
AI has amazingly managed to make repairable computers practically worthless.
The increase in memory and storage pricing is destroying the second-hand market for computing hardware and this makes me sad. I watched a video from someone that runs a repair shop, and this is what's happening:
The memory/storage alone is worth more than the rest of the computer, so people are stripping them out to sell separately.
The second hand market is now flooded with computers that have no memory or storage. Buying new memory or storage to put in these used computers is now more expensive than buying a new computer.
So we now suddenly have a giant e-waste problem PLUS a giant problem for repair shops that want to stay in business.
In the video, he was basically saying that they have to pivot to the only computers that folks aren't stripping RAM and storage out of - computers that have those things soldered on. The irony here is that repair shops now have to ignore the most repairable computers and focus on the least repairable computers instead.
RAM theft is going to become an issue again for companies, isn't it?
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