Talk:Planned obsolescence/Archives/2016

Light bulb - seriously?
Why is this (still?) in? It's the worst example possible. A longer living bulb either gives less light or draws more power. So it made sense they didn't want anyone to market a "better" bulb (that had hidden drawbacks). It was a cartel, after all. They didn't want anyone have short-term success cannibalizing the sales of others. --91.119.209.158 (talk) 06:26, 11 February 2016 (UTC)

Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Softwares are an excellent example of Planned obsolescence and it's 'after effects'. This includes software like Windows 3.1, Windows 95, Windows XP, Office 2003, Visual Basic, etc. --Ne0 (talk) 08:11, 22 June 2015 (UTC)

Windows 95
Using a software product as an example of "planned obsolescence" is incorrect because there's generally nothing about software that's designed to break after a particular period of time. And indeed my 17 year old copy of Windows 95 works just exactly like it always has worked.

↑ Does it support virtualization? Try to spin up a VM on it — Preceding unsigned comment added by 4.16.218.178 (talk) 02:42, 12 May 2016 (UTC)

How long the developer supports software isn't so much a function of planned obsolescence but an ongoing business decision. The only thing planned to be obsolete about Windows 95 was the model year in the name.

I would stick to a mechanical example instead because they are indeed designed to only withstand so much wear and tear.64.171.162.76 20:48, 8 February 2007 (UTC)


 * Microsoft Word remains a good example of "planned obsolescence" because when Microsoft releases a version of Word, with a new Word file format, they have already planned the next release and they are also planning for that next release to use a new, incompatible file format. Each release of Word is planned to be obsolete after a certain span of time. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 216.23.105.5 (talk) 02:01, 7 April 2007 (UTC).
 * No it doesn't. All the new versions of Microsoft Word support reading and editing of files made with previous versions of Word. In addition, MS generally release compatibility packs for newer file formats for older versions of Office (as they did with Office 07)--Wiki Fanatic | Talk 07:45, 24 April 2007 (UTC)


 * File format support is also an ongoing business decision. There's many many real world examples where software has recieved extended support that wasn't "planned" when originally released. Even from Microsoft. 64.171.162.76 07:10, 10 May 2007 (UTC)


 * There is software that depends on network backend, and with the network support discontinued, it ceases to work - some MMORPG games come to mind. There is software that has just a time-based killswitch, like the "open beta" versions of Windows 7, or multiple shareware programs which are limited to a certain number of uses. There is software you are licensed to use for a limited time, after which you must renew the license - most antivirus software an example (and when they expire, you cease to get -any- virus protection, not just updates against new viruses). Also, firmware of some ink cartridges has a killswitch that disables the cartridge after a certain date, even if it's still otherwise fully functional (and won't even allow the completely unrelated scanner part of the multi-function device the cartridge is installed in to work, until you purchase new cartridges). 83.14.232.226 (talk) 12:00, 25 February 2009 (UTC)

I agree with the starter of this comment. I believe we should reference hardware. A good example is inkjet cartridges.--Wiki Fanatic | Talk 07:54, 24 April 2007 (UTC)

Also in reference to hardware is devices that have built-in batteries that are not designed - nor even possible - to be replaced. Ipods immediately come to mind, but vast amounts of consumer electronics hardware have lithium batteries in them that last for 3-5 years then go flat, rendering the entire device limited in functionality or even entirely useless. (A flat lithium battery means there's no clock on your VCR which is annoying, but flat battery on your handheld GPS means it loses all its critical settings when switched off!). The article needs to consider consumer hardware and software and designed lifespans with perhaps more verified examples. vk6hgr (talk) 17:37, 21 December 2007 (UTC)


 * "17-year-old copy of Windows 95"? Whoa, you must have been a beta tester, man!! :) — Lumbercutter 00:00, 5 May 2007 (UTC)

Windows 98
Again this article has been edited to include a software product as an example of "planned" obsolescence. As I stated in a previous comment, software support is an ongoing business decision and there is nothing inherit in software which causes it to go obsolete.

Furthermore, the statement pushes a POV that "proprietary" software is particularly suspect to this form of obsolescence, when in fact Linux vendors use the exact same marketing methods.

Actually I question if the whole "Types of obsolescence" section belongs in this article because it seems to be describing any random event that might cause something to be obsolete, versus the business strategy of planned obsolesce

64.171.162.74 (talk) 08:29, 13 July 2008 (UTC)

Surely Windows should be mentioned?
A prime example of planned obsolescence because the more recent versions require bigger more expensive computers, AND earlier versions are no longer supported such as recieving fixes, security updates, etc after whatever date Mr. Gates chooses. Plus other software will not be compatible with earlier versions. Eg Windows Millenium - no longer supported. Windows XP - soon be be turned off. We've paid for them - support should continue, particularly if a significant number of people are using them. That is why Mr. Gates is so rich - if we were still all using updated versions of Windows (with a small fee for the update) he would not be. Instead we have to give MS a lot of money for revisions of Windows that have been given new names. Hmmmn, understanding this would make an excellent Gullibility Test. 89.240.42.6 (talk) 20:09, 19 March 2009 (UTC)


 * It costs money to make something backwards compatible, that's not what planned obsolescence is about. Planned obsolescence is where the cost of manufacturing something is equal or greater than a product can last longer, and it should be illegal and those who profit from this should be jailed with hard labor.72.201.19.165 (talk) 22:56, 28 April 2013 (UTC)

As of roughly 15 January 2016, it appears that Microsoft, possibly in collaboration with Intel, AMD and other microprocessor manufacturers, has decided that new versions of microprocessors "will not be supported by versions of Windows prior to Windows 10". Example article is at http://www.theverge.com/2016/1/16/10780876/microsoft-windows-support-policy-new-processors-skylake. This appears to be part of Microsoft's push for its customers to use Windows 10, and while it is not yet clear how this is to be achieved it appears to be an example of planned obsolescence. 124.171.70.212 (talk) 11:45, 23 January 2016 (UTC)


 * Um, not really. This is functional obsolescence (an old thing cannot do new things it needs to do). It's like being surprised you can't put modern parts in a Model T and saying it's planned obsolescence that Ford won't help you try.


 * If you to Microsoft's initial blog post it is a clarification of their support policy, in other words they they are saying they will not support Windows 7 or 8 running on the new chipsets, not that the new chipsets can't run Windows 7 or 8. Moreover the only condition under which someone would be "forced" to upgrade if they want full support from Microsoft is if they purchase a new motherboard and CPU for an old PC, which is generally a scenario where you purchase a new PC instead. Herr Gruber (talk) 17:37, 18 April 2016 (UTC)