electronics has basically turned into disposable item.
I worked in computers starting in 83, back then we fixed things. Computers and printers and such were built to last, made with metal and held together with screws.
I used to go to a ham swap meet every year, I like looking at all the old radio stuff, but it was also a good place to pick up computer parts and such.
Not sure if it is still happening in Downtown Dallas now, but once a month there was a weekend electronics swap fest. Mostly computer and or component related. Dallas had a great electronic surplus store called Tanner’s. They closed, I miss that. They had everything.
My son and I went a number of times. He was a Ham Op too, from time he was 10 years old.
The change you noted, about manufacturing, is intentional. It is not about making a better mouse trap, it is about a money string. Planned obsolescence. They do it in Heating and Air systems, but changing coolants forcing early rebuy, they do it with cars that cannot be repaired (not even by a dealer).
I hate it. I was a builder in the day, that no longer makes sense unless you’re a scrounger. I took 4 monthly ham radio magazines for years and read them cover to cover and studied all the innovations. It was great. I am set up to make PC boards photographically, or prototype. I have a huge junk box and all the equipment, but for the past 20 years I have been caring for sick or elderly family. Lost my father 2 years ago, my brother last years. It is just me and my brother’s son and daughter and his widow. All our farm land is rented out. But I’m still plugging. Have been trying for years to get house at the farm livable again, close but cannot get local excavators to put in the final septic tank replacement.
Oh, and I reload. When I have time. smile.
I have plenty to do. smile.