Apple Falling Farther from its Tree

By Jeff Allen
 

Blazing a trail directly into yesteryear, Apple seemingly decided that meeting environmental standards was impeding profit (where have we seen this before besides everywhere?) and moved away from EPEAT certification. Why? Because we like things small and full of glue.¹  Curiously enough, this didn't go over very well with Apple and non-Apple citizens alike, and in response to the dung-storm Apple apologized and retreated, promising to (ahem) re-adhere to EPEAT.²

Should we give them credit for fixing their misstep? Only if we're fools; The decision to leave EPEAT was based on the exact same thing as the decision to back-step: money. If people hadn't been so vocal in their opposition, Apple would have carried on leaving EPEAT like nothing was wrong.

This is a perfect example of how unless you make your voice heard, nothing could possibly change. Thank you to everyone who spoke up.

I might be senile, but I thought that once upon a time Apple computers were sold on the additional prospect of major longevity. You paid your premium up front and were rewarded with a good return on investment. If something went wrong, most things were still modular. You can't even change your own memory anymore even if you do have a soldering iron and a steady hand. Behold, a brief glimpse into the ridiculous world of zero serviceability:

http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/12/06/13/teardown_of_retina_display_macbook_pro_finds_soldered_ram_propreitary_ssd.html

A child could replace parts in a Pismo³, what does it take to service a new MacBookPro? According to Apple itself... sometimes not even Apple itself.⁴

Yes, Apple isn't the only one to be critical of, as all personal computing devices get ever-more throwaway by the day. However, given their status as the most valuable company in the world and a big influence on the progression of personal computing, they're deserving of a more critical eye.

Pat yourselves on the back for changing Apple's mind, but please don't pat theirs; just keep reminding them who made them so rich in the first place.

-JA

1 - http://www.treehugger.com/gadgets/apple-walks-away-green-certification.html

2 - http://www.treehugger.com/clean-technology/thanks-apple-admitting-your-mistake-and-coming-back-epeat.html
3 - http://www.ifixit.com/Device/PowerBook_G3_Pismo
4 - http://www.treehugger.com/gadgets/apples-internal-memo-service-technicians-show-battery-macbook-not-replaceable.html