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Comment by taylodl | Hacker News Reader

They're just tools. How often do you upgrade your screwdrivers because you like the handles on the newer model better? Sounds silly, doesn't it?

My iPhone is 4 years old, it's a 2nd gen SE. Still does what I need it to do. My laptop is a 2012 MacBook Pro. It still basically works but it's starting to have issues so I'll be replacing it this year.

I was late to the Apple Watch game, having just getting one a year ago. I don't see why I'll ever replace it until it simply fails mechanically.

I stopped using my iPad because I couldn't do everything I needed to do an an iPad so I still needed my MacBook. Given that I have an iPhone, it just hit a spot I don't need. It seems like the options are laptop, table, phone - pick two.

Is that downsizing? Not really. I just get the tools I need as I need them.

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> They're just tools.

Honestly when I was younger computers were just a lot more fun. You want to do a LAN party? Be prepared for an hour of diagnosing network problems -- and we liked that! Take that one example and multiply it by everything. Tweaking and customizing and finding random cool software was all part of the experience.

Same with smartphones before the iPhone.

These days perhaps products all just too good and too finished. They are just tools now -- they have less intrinsic fun hacker value on their own.

I have gone a little Retro -- picking up old devices and not using them for anything useful.

I miss the feeling that because I knew technology I could make things more fun by tinkering away at it.

Now? It just doesn’t make sense. No need to futz around with some crazy LAN party setup. Everybody who wants to play a game together connects online and it just works.

> I was late to the Apple Watch game, having just getting one a year ago. I don't see why I'll ever replace it until it simply fails mechanically.

I find I’ve upgraded through two Apple Watches for the same reason: battery life degradation. It gets to the point where you have to charge twice a day or wake up in the morning with a dead watch (I wear mine overnight for the sleep tracking).

I paid Apple ~$80 to replace my Series 5 battery… they actually just exchange it with another device. I thought it was worth it and happy to keep using it until I can no longer get the latest watchOS.

Interestingly, if Apple loses its patent case it won't be able to do this with the affected devices (if they are out of warranty). I don't know why there's a difference based on warranty status, but according to the legal blogs I read there is.

This should have been a user replaceable battery.

If you use inferior screwdrivers and do find one with a handle which works, you notice it.

The cost of tools is a lot less than it used to be. I think mentally I'm stuck in "but that screwdriver cost $5" thinking, when $5 fed you and watered you all day.

You're not wrong...

and that's why they're still able to sell new laptops, tablets, and phones. People still like new stuff even if their existing stuff is adequate.

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