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Using inefficient old electronics is significantly more environmentally friendly compared to scraping it and using something new.

The vast majority of energy used and environment damage caused by computers happen when they are manufactured. The lifetime energy use afterwards is a tiny fraction.

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As someone who collects old inefficient machines, I can appreciate the sentiment but that doesn't exactly reduce the electric and cooling bills.

I would be very surprised if this was true with a compute stick as a replacement for a 100 watt old desktop with hardware that does not implement proper power management. Just how bad is compute stick manufacturing process?

it holds true within the same class of hardware, and not only for computers.

the carbon footprint of producing a new car can hardly be offset through the efficiency of a new one. substitute an old pickup truck for a new three-door ev, totally worth it for the environment.

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