Archived from groups: alt.comp.hardware.overclocking (
More info?)
> Now two years later you wanted to cook you machine and get a new one.
This functionality is provided at not extra charge on some laptops
The failure curve for laptops isn't great:
o Initial infant mortality -- DOA or basically in the first week
---- typically assembly errors or DC-board, that kind of thing
o Complex thermal/temp mortality -- increasing with age
---- more likely failure than Desktops
Human error pays a large part:
o HD failure -- thro temperature, shock (handling to "packaging")
o LCD failure -- thro handling or freak (contacts are on glass)
o Overheating -- operation with lid down, or in a bag
The failure of laptops is mainly one of Physics Of Failure:
o Mechanical failure of solder balls on grid arrays
---- in theory not too difficult/expensive to repair - if Intel
---- some laptops turn out to have weaknesses re board layout
o Thermal failure of components re basic laptop temps
---- laptops tolerate high temps - but that is *because* they run hot
---- hence a laptop generally has a max op of 35oC, desktop 45-50oC
---- some laptops turn out to have weaknesses re component choice/layout
General laptop failures I suspect are mainboard re flexion/bad-joint,
or DC convertor boards. Laptops would last longer if every board in
them used flexible interconnect - but that has a cost/space penalty.
The key failure of laptops apart from handling is in 2 ways:
o Obsolence through wear -- battery replacement uneconomic
---- plenty of laptops have 150$/£ LI-Ion batteries out there
---- keyboards cost a fair bit 50$/£
o Obsolescence through spec -- better screens, CPU, battery
---- altho the future looks a bit tougher for laptop makers
---- key change was 800x600 to 1024x768 as a big incentive
---- now we are into going beyond 1024x768, lesser incentive
So if you haven't bought the warranty, it may be better to put
the money aside towards 1) replacing the laptop in the future
or 2) buy a laptop with a 3yr warranty as standard.
Predicting laptop life isn't that easy for an end user, and they
are a "single point failure" - parts are proprietary & expensive.
Google re choice of laptop - some do have known issues.
o Some Sony have a under-temp-spec'd SMT capacitor
o Some Toshiba had some issues
o Older IBM Thinkpads seem more reliable (TP600)
Repairers do know the failure modes - since much is outsourced
to a few key places. They then repair by component replacement,
with components not always brand new (eg, Dell) but qualified.
Interesting to note the luggable market is growing:
o Luggable is a semi or full desktop PC + screen + box
---- it may be laptop-able, it may have a battery
---- often it is more rugged
o Market was 200M, now looks to break 7000M/yr
---- admittedly that is including the rugged market
---- also known as the USA tax payer & FEMA
o Even so they are an interesting product
---- mobile, yet using desktop components
---- so parts are easy & *cheap* to upgrade, high performance
Unfortunately price is still quite high.
Weight isn't the barrier it once was - a fast laptop+PSU = 12-13lb,
a luggable can be down around 17-19lb (since no battery weight).
Laptops are a large sunk cost, difficult to u/g, choose carefully
--
Dorothy Bradbury
www.dorothybradbury.co.uk for quiet Panaflo fans
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