Credit: Rita El Khoury / Android Authority
I still remember when my 2007 Macbook’s battery started bulging after a few years of use, and I could just order a replacement part, pop out the old one, pop in the new one, and my laptop was back to perfect condition.
This kind of repairability and upgradeability has dwindled down over the years. From Android phones to laptops to every other gadget, companies have been taking the easy — and most profitable — way out. Pack the specs you want, glue and solder everything together, making it almost impossible to repair without hitting an expensive service center. And dissuade everyone from upgrading on their own, lest they ruin the gear they just bought.