Mother nature doesn't make that distinction, nor does she care for certificates, so the only difference is the ones we make, which reveal inconsistencies in the way we look at things. Again we are the problem and we need to change the way we look at things, or to use your words, the way we have become accustomed to think of things. I'm fine with people caring about the environment and expressing that view, what I can't wrap my head around is the lack of a consistent perspective on these issues. I find the trend to always have to have the latest and greatest far more problematic than any glue in a product, but that's just me.
There's bigger fish to fry and it seems to me not only disingenuous but a failure to show proper rightful indignation when people make such an outcry here, yet no where else.
Well, yes, we are inconsistent beings. I acknowledged being inconsistent in having different expectations from a smartphone than a notebook regarding how user serviceable/recyclable/upgradable i expect it to be.
I said i don´t think that´s a good stance by myself and others, still, that´s how it is for most people.
And yes, it would probably be better if i and all others made a stink about all such issues for all devices, hardware and software in general, heck, even for all financial/economical and social issues and not just one that strikes us worthy of moaning about right now since it annoys us right now.
Thing is i worry about the things i´m busy with (too much) in my daily routine hence don´t do such things as much as would probably be a good idea in aim to change the world for the better and then in between something affects me right in that moment and then i moan about that thing in that moment.
Right now for me the thing is my 5 year old Mac is feeling old in the tooth for the work i do so i was in the market for getting a macbook retina and i consider forth and back whether i should get it or not because of such downsides like those talked about in the thread.
No, i´m not an environment activist, i´m honest, one could say my motivation with this is quite self centered, i want to have a computer like the macbook retina but where i can replace some parts when needed, where getting AppleCare is not mandatory, where i don´t feel like even getting the max specked out version is mandatory since i can´t upgrade it later on and yeah, where i don´t have to think i should better get some speedy external backup with it for sure, too since its likely that when one part breaks i don´t even get the thing with the original storage back.
It just happens to be that the cause for all these issues is the same why its not good for the environment, too.
Is it egoistic that my personal gain for doing this is more important to me than the side that it would also be good for the environment if parts are better recyclable one by one? Likely.
Should we try to change the world on more ends than just pushing for the construction of one device being changed to a different way?
Very likely.
But heck, still better to push at least regarding one thing that annoys one right now than none =)
iFixit might not be able to tinker with it or sell you stuff to do it yourself, but that doesn't mean Apple technicians can't do it.
