In recent years we have seen the cost of computer components and accessories drop considerably. It is now quite possible to purchase additional storage, or a printer, at a fraction of the cost of ten years previously. This has been something of a double edged sword to the computer enthusiast. We are beginning to see some types of equipment being thought of as consumables which were traditionally deemed to be a piece of permanent hardware.
A very good example of this kind of accessory is a CD or DVD-ROM drive. These units were fairly expensive when they were introduced around a decade ago. Since that time they have been so reduced in price that they are now one of the cheapest forms of storage device to be had. This steep drop in price has also caused a very large drop in manufacturing quality, so much so that most new optical drives of this type will only last for several hundred hours of use before they will need to be replaced. Many computer enthusiasts will now keep a spare optical drive for use when their main one fails.
Arguably it is a false economy when purchasing cheaper accessories that need to be replaced within a very short time span as the cost of replacement or replacements, in some cases, will almost certainly outstrip the savings made on the purchase price over a period of time. Manufacturers are not the only people to blame about this worsening situation; consumers are forcing suppliers to maintain keen pricing, this in turn reduces profit margin which then in turn squeezes the manufacturers. Eventually we see the manufacturer reduce the build quality to maintain their profit points.
A very good example of this kind of accessory is a CD or DVD-ROM drive. These units were fairly expensive when they were introduced around a decade ago. Since that time they have been so reduced in price that they are now one of the cheapest forms of storage device to be had. This steep drop in price has also caused a very large drop in manufacturing quality, so much so that most new optical drives of this type will only last for several hundred hours of use before they will need to be replaced. Many computer enthusiasts will now keep a spare optical drive for use when their main one fails.
Arguably it is a false economy when purchasing cheaper accessories that need to be replaced within a very short time span as the cost of replacement or replacements, in some cases, will almost certainly outstrip the savings made on the purchase price over a period of time. Manufacturers are not the only people to blame about this worsening situation; consumers are forcing suppliers to maintain keen pricing, this in turn reduces profit margin which then in turn squeezes the manufacturers. Eventually we see the manufacturer reduce the build quality to maintain their profit points.