Most of the devices we own currently have either lasted for three to six years, give or take. Many reasons apply to why older devices stay long with us as a core value to ownership, quality standard or just a piece of memory. Eventually, they wear out and we cannot hold on to them anymore and some factors lead to the cause. Let's get to this topic.
In today's world, technology is evolving at a rapid pace, with new devices and software being introduced frequently, which is kind of obvious to note nowadays. While this can be exciting for many, it also brings up some issues, particularly when it comes to older devices running the new software.
Old Device
Here is a simple case study: A digital
watch has its own standalone features, a monochrome display, a built-in alarm
mode switcher and a light button. An analogue watch has a dial, a crown and a
protective glass. Combine the two, they work magnificently well. Its inbuilt
software depends on the CMOS battery lifespan. Some watch models have a variety
of water-resistant, a rotating bezels and quality quartz. Eventually, the watch will
wear out after some time and cease to work normally.
Now, another case study of the HP Pavilion 15-inch with a 4th Gen Intel Core i5 processor. It probably was purchased with Windows 8 OS pre-installed. Some years later, an upgrade to Windows 10 arrives when the manufacturer tested the OS and found it to be compatible and sent OTA (Over-the-Air) updates in the system settings. But a few months after the update, the update affects the computing functionality for a period. This is especially true when it comes to security, as older devices may not receive the necessary updates and patches to protect against the latest threats and vulnerabilities.
Both case studies talk about how the lifespan
of each device limits the support of new software or existing software. Each
software is tailored for a specific device that meets the requirements to run and
function with the device. Old devices that are not designed to handle the latest
software can often struggle with the demands of the new programs, leading to
performance issues, possible security threats and other problems.
Replacing spare parts may also reduce the
performance of the device from time to time. PC building is a curated skill that
respects the laws of compatibility; if they are not the latest model standard,
longevity will be affected. Some internal parts of the device may or may not
have the same compatibility standard and compliance with the device
manufacturer causing the device to be faulty.
New Software
Devices have the capability of receiving
software updates from time to time. Most of these devices can be guaranteed
updates of up to five years, give or take. iPhone for example has iOS updates
for up to 5 years. Google Pixel can also have major software updates for five years.
Samsung Galaxy smartphones (premium line-up) are up to four years. The issue that arises with older devices
running new software is the issue of obsolescence. As software evolves, older
devices may no longer be compatible with newer programs, leading to a situation
where the device becomes essentially useless for anything beyond basic
functions.
A computer or smartphone that was designed
several years ago may not have the necessary hardware specifications to run the
latest version of its operating system, causing it to slow down or crash. This is
the case for Windows 10 for a while; I noted that many Hard Disk Drives of older
PCs tend to crash and become dead after a while, the system suddenly slows down,
drivers go missing or stop completely and computers at some point freeze
frequently. This is caused by cumulative
updates that crash computers completely from time to time. For this incident,
troubleshooting helps, but that is not always the solution. You can personally
diagnose the issue using guided steps and solve the issue.
A computer or smartphone that was designed several years ago may not have the necessary hardware specifications to run the latest version of its operating system, causing it to slow down or crash.
Another issue is the support for older computers.
Windows 11 is definitely in the spotlight for this one. A new operation with
greater capabilities of better security and better multitasking has locked out
a large number of Windows users who run on older machines, as old as Intel Core
4th Generation. While this caused an uproar in the tech community,
Microsoft stated that the Operating System is advanced to handle the latest
computer models that check all the requirements.
More Issues
When you purchase a new device, for
example, an iPhone, you would probably be that owner who would actually hold on
to it for a long time. Luckily, your iPhone gets to have a lot of updates in the
coming years. But what you will later realize is that the battery life span
will keep degrading from time to time (same case for all other smartphone
brands). This is because your charging patterns affect the battery life,
the power consumption used by the operating system or the environmental temperatures.
There is also the issue of cost preference.
In Kenya for example, a larger percentage of people prefer to buy refurbished
machines over newer ones because they can afford them at that price. Some prefer
to buy a device that was released a while ago and wait for the prices to go
down, thus its market value decreases over a certain period.
While it can be tempting to try and extend the life of an older device by installing new software, it is important to consider the potential issues that may arise. In some cases, it may be better to simply upgrade to a newer device that is designed to handle the demands of the latest software. Investing in a PC, laptop, tablet or phone is a cost that needs to be planned seriously. For example, most personal and office computers need to be replaced after three to five years, and smartphones can last up to five years depending on the security patches policy. If a device is dead, consider disposing of it for recycling e-waste.
Ultimately, it is important to recognize
that technology is constantly evolving, and not all devices are created equal.
Old devices running new software can bring up a variety of issues, and it is
important to weigh the potential benefits against the potential drawbacks
before making any decisions.