Lifespan of computers vs. phones

[emir]

I have an iPhone 4S bought October '11 which makes it a bit more than 2 years old and a Macbook Pro that's just a bit shy of being two times older than my phone. (almost 4 years old)

I'm having incredible trouble with my iPhone's battery and can't wait for iPhone 6 to come out. Whereas I'm really happy with my 4 year old Macbook Pro and it looks like I can get at least two more years out of it with no upgrades. It got even better with the latest Mavericks update.

Why do you think phones have shorter life spans than laptops, computers? Keep in mind that I use them both everyday and my Macbook still can deliver almost more than 4 hours of battery life and is not slow. Do you think advancements in computer technologies are far slower than smartphones or are they building the phones with less quality to make people have no option but upgrade?

If latter, I hope we don't ever see the day where laptops get that much short lifespans like smartphones...

 

[McGiord]

In apple's case as the manufacturing is so cheap for them when the products are made by a 3rd party the manufacturing quality has been significantly finished and it is not consistent.
Additionally the volumes are way different Apple doesn't produce the same amount of macs vs iOS devices therefore the more they produce the higher quantity of defective units in the market.
Additionally cellphones service models stand on the tradition of having a new device every 2 years, therefore carries and OEMs are focusing on this life cycle.
They only care for the 1 year warranty period and for everything else they expect you to pay for Apple Care.
I don't like any of this, but it is they way I see it has become their business model.
For Apple is way cheaper to give you a replacement iPhone when you face any defects instead of repairing it, as the cost of having some refurbished on stock is better than dealing with increased costs from the OEM to increase the quality assurance and quality control.
The US market is getting used to buy these things as disposable items, so they serve their purpose in a 1 2 or 3 year timeframe, then upgrade.
As most PC users are used to pay for a yearly security software upgrade and insurance policies that need to be renewed every 6 months they like the concept of shopping around every now and then to get something newer.

 

[mrsir2009]

I've still got my MacBook Pro from 2009 and it's running perfectly fine, does everything I want. I've also got my iPhone 4S from the beginning of 2012 (still running jailbroken iOS5) and it's good too... but I can't imagine that I'd still be using the iPhone in two years when it's the same age as the MBP is now. So yeah, laptops probably have a longer lifespan -- especially now that the power needed to surf the Internet is leveling off these days.

 

[gnasher729]

I'm having incredible trouble with my iPhone's battery and can't wait for iPhone 6 to come out. Whereas I'm really happy with my 4 year old Macbook Pro and it looks like I can get at least two more years out of it with no upgrades. It got even better with the latest Mavericks update.

With the battery, it's not the age but the usage that counts. You probably used the phone a lot more without charger than the MacBook. In the UK, Apple will replace your iPhone battery for £55 which may well be worth it.

 

[G51989]

I would say that desktops/laptops just plain ole have longer lifespans than phones do. Just because their hardware is so much more powerful. Even the most powerful smartphones and tablets are just starting to Catch the Intel Core 2 generations of Desktops and laptops.

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As most PC users are used to pay for a yearly security software upgrade and insurance policies that need to be renewed every 6 months they like the concept of shopping around every now and then to get something newer.

Yeah, this is not 2004. That is not true anymore. For the home user, Windows 7 and Windows 8 do not need 3rd party programs to be secure.

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With the battery, it's not the age but the usage that counts. You probably used the phone a lot more without charger than the MacBook. In the UK, Apple will replace your iPhone battery for £55 which may well be worth it.

Even if you don't use them regularly, batteries still deteriorate with age fairly rapidly.

 

[rainbowmagik]

Phones are usually constantly on which wears out the battery, laptops are only on when you turn them on and will go to sleep etc. when you leave them. The hardware in phones is usually more durable because they are subjected to a lot more variations in temperature and humidity than laptops. So it's probably your usage patterns more than anything. I still use a htc desire bravo and I've had it since it was new, still works perfectly (with a custom os) although I have changed the battery. I also have a 4s and its battery is still fine, I don't know if you can change it but maybe you should take it to an apple store or try to do it yourself if it's non destructive.

 

[JackieInCo]

I still have my 2008 black MB that I'm typing on right now. It just needs a battery but I'm not interested in paying Apple $129 for a new one, they still sell them today.

My 2010 white MB is also still working. The battery swelled though and it broke through the trackpad so the trackpad no longer works. I use it in closed mode with a Magic Trackpad and wired keyboard so it's not a problem. I did lift up the track pad and punched a hole through the plastic wrapping the battery to let out the gas. That was back in May or June I think and it still works and holds a charge though I don't use it on battery power which is why it expanded.

I'll keep using them till they die before I buy a new MacBook. I am thinking of buying a MacMini when tax time gets here.