Why Aren't Computers Easier To Upgrade?

It might be easy enough for the likes of us (I assume) to upgrade our PC, but for the majority of the population, opening up the case of a computer is a pretty daunting prospect.

I've always wondered, has anyone actually tried to create a computer which is easy to upgrade? Where RAM can just be slotted in like a memory card, where a hatch can be opened and you can change your processor, and where the hard drives can also easily be removed and added.

I mean, a motherboard is just a circuits, and surely you can build a circuit in any way, shape or form as long as everything's all connected? And why an earth does a new type of processor need a whole socket on the motherboard?! It seems to me that just having a few extra/less pins isn't that important. There must be a way of creating a universal connection between a processor and a computer?

I know technology companies will stand to lose a lot, but that shouldn't have stopped somebody else entering the market by now, marketting a computer which will 'last you a lifetime'.

I always visualised a computer based on seperates, like a hifi system. Like this. You could buy a base component, which may include the basic components, then onto that you could connect a whole variety of modules which you just plug into the back of the base unit. You could buy a cd/dvd rewriter module, where all relevant burning/ripping software is pre-installed and can be controlled via the module itself. So for noob users, they could just enter a cd and press 'rip' on the module and it'll do the task for them.

Or you could attach a gaming module which basically would be a games console you could connect and which you could upgrade every 5 years or so, with joystick, usb ports at the front to add controllers to.

Or a graphic design module which comes preinstalled with various software packages, RAM, and ports at the front to add components to.

The idea would be that through various modules, software and hardware could be designed to work together so it's more effective. It'd also keep the software industry alive as people would have to buy the hardware module for the software to work properly.

[RDProgrammer]

Didnt read it all sorry, but one main point to remember is that the cost involved in designing a case to meet all the things you listed is quite high. A normal case can be had for $20, one with all the stuff you'd want would even come close for a low end model.

RDP

Well i think the main reason people think upgrading a PC is difficult is because they fail to educate themselves in what to do and how to do it.

Most if not all PC's really are like you suggested. Changing the Ram is just like plugging in a new stick. PC's are nothing but big expensive legos, nothing more.

They are easy to upgrade. But everyone is a dumb shit who can't be stuffed reading a few web pages about how to do it.

OP i completely agree with your point. i think it's something we may or may not see - apple have also opened up the "modular, easy to use computer" market remember - its called the mac. Difference is that you just buy the whole ocmputer as a "module" and upgrading it requires the purchase of a whole new one - which suprise suprise, means more money for the people that make em. and thats what counts.

[Hung Like Christ]

Originally Posted by Revvy

... And why an earth does a new type of processor need a whole socket on the motherboard?! It seems to me that just having a few extra/less pins isn't that important. There must be a way of creating a universal connection between a processor and a computer?

I don't think anyone can plan for the future correctly.
That is; make a computer that has all the sockets you'll need or want in the future.
Even Bill Gates predicted computers would never need more than 64K ram.

It's also, probably a bit of obsolescence, planned or unplanned.
Just like a 1948 engine part won't fit into a 2008 automobile.
To engineer the new engine backwards to fit an older technology is more costly and ultimately less efficient.

An example:
Pentium II's socket had 242 pins.
Pentium 4's had 478 pins.
The Core2's have 775 pins.
The upcoming Intel generation is said to have as many as 1567 pins.
All those pins will have to have their own dedicated motherboard circuits to serve their needs and functions.
The cost and effort to integrate a new processor onto an older motherboard that has way too few circuits onboard, is not feasible.
.
.

[Chimro]

Originally Posted by Aragami

They are easy to upgrade. But everyone is a dumb shit who can't be stuffed reading a few web pages about how to do it.

This.

Originally Posted by Aragami

They are easy to upgrade. But nearly everyone is a dumb shit who can't be stuffed reading a few web pages about how to do it.

This....mostly. Our home PC here though that was bought circa 2001 is a pain in the arse to work with though. You simply cannot remove the fan from the heatsink. I just had to unplug it and strap another quieter on onto it because it was being so bloody loud in the rare cases that it was actually being used that it drove me insane. End of run on line

[Prometheum]

This has just been sitting in Hot Topics and I've been itching to respond for a while. Sorry, I haven't read the thread.

The reason why they aren't easier to upgrade is because companies like HP, Dell, and Microsoft want us to think of computers as black boxes. They want to make it seem like anyone who can understand how one of them works is some sort of wizard, messing around with dangerous black majicks. They want to do this because it is more profitable for them.

Think about it. The basic business model of companies like the above is "forget that, ignore that, sign/click here and pay us". Pay them to get a nice computer without having to think about the parts. Pay them to have an operating system that "just works". Pay them to have something, anything. If you do something else, well, blather blather blather FUD FUD FUD.

This is the real reason why free software/"open source" is so scary for microsoft. Free software opens the black box. You can see inside it and study how it works, and read papers synthesizing it into easy abstractions, if you're into that. The point is, the box is public knowledge. It's more like a car, a well-known device that basically everyone is familiar with (who can't change a tire or even describe generally how a combustion engine works?), than something else, like a microwave or a toaster, that is inherently closed. You don't see a lot of people hot-rodding their toasters.

If the average user actually took a few minutes to understand what the fuck was going on with their machine, they'd probably ascend to what they think is "guru" level, but what is actually "slightly more informed asshole" level. They'd be able to tell salespeople to fuck off with Norton or McAfee, because they know that ClaimWin and <Whatever AV here> has a database that's 10 times as large and updated more frequently. They'd look at the price tag on a pre-built piece of shit and just build their own box (yes, computers are basically big silicone-and-metal legos, and it's easy as fuck for anyone to do). But what would that do for Dell's profit margin? What would that mean for Vista sales?

The focal point of the "computing industry" is keeping people ignorant. It's trying to encourage use of the computer as an appliance, like a toaster, rather than a personalizable life fixture, like a car. Eventually, they'll just want us all to use point-and-click kiosk-type boxes so all we can do is shop on the damn things.

I think this is even more systemic than end-user vendors like HP/Dell/M$. Why the fuck are CPU's so weak? Aren't chips supposed to double every year or something? Why are we still using an architecture that is crippled to support 8-bit code running on it? Why is a fucking game console a better and more powerful machine than the average fucking desktop?

Anyone on Totse is probably pretty rare and enlightened compared to the average person. Let's try this: every poster here tries to "de-blackbox" someone. Teach them how to use GNU/Linux, or how to build their own computer. Get them to realize that a computer is just a tool, and something that they can control. It isn't some demon they need to appease ("it only works every third reboot") or demigod they need to bow to. It's a fucking computer. The world needs to realize this before we slip into the toaster-mindset too deeply.

^^
See my replies.

Dell have completely turned around in the last 10 years. Remember how their desktops were like Fort Knox with hidden clips and buttons? Now they actually tell you in the manual how to open the case - two big buttons in most cases - and how to remove and replace parts. As I said, almost every part can be replaced without tools.

They also list the service manual for every computer and laptop on their website, which is a big one-up over basically every other manufacturer. IBM are the only other company I know of who do this. Very handy if you don't know how to take apart that old Dell laptop to clean the keyboard for example.

I know by now I probably sound like a Dell salesman...but I'm not. I just like their laptops...well, not the plastic shit Inspirons.


You do raise some good points there. The same goes for a lot of consumer electronics IMO...I can relate that to the hi-fi forum I post on. People come in wanting to buy some shitty Creative satellite system, overpriced Bose piece of junk or the latest 10,000w plastic all-in-one abomination from Philips - because it "just works". We educate them and let them know the bullshit that big-box stores spew, and say what's best for the money. It's amazing what people believe....

The real problem with upgrading computers isn't screwing in/attaching different components, it's the compatibility issues that arise from using parts from different manufacturers.