科技產品過保固期就壞，是「預謀性淘汰」？ Here's the truth about the 'planned obsolescence' of tech

Many people have lamented that products in the past were more durable than those nowadays. Examples old and new can be used to illustrate that these changes are done artificially and intentionally to reduce product lifecycles and increase consumption, such as light bulbs, vehicles, printer cartridges, and smart phones. While this practice is widely condemned as commercial, wasteful and vicious, it also generates economic growths and job opportunities. Shorter product lifecycles, as some people claim, promote innovation and improve product quality as well. In addition, consumer market is now polarizing. While affordable products are on the rise, luxury goods consumers tend to keep their products longer, and expect their investments to increase in value over time. Also, environmental awareness is encouraging developers to design consumer goods to be less disposable.

許多人感嘆過去的產品比較耐用。很多案例可看出這其實是廠商的手段，以人為方式刻意縮短產品生命週期，增加購買，例如燈泡、汽車、墨水匣和智慧型手機。有人批評這樣的作法太商業化、浪費又邪惡，但也有人認為縮短產品周期會刺激創新，帶動經濟成長，創造工作機會，產品品質也會提升。因此當生命周期短暫的平價產品興起同時，奢侈品消費者傾向擁有產品更久，也期待投資增值。另外，環保意識抬頭也鼓勵生產者設計較能重複使用的產品。