When it comes to technology, durability and sustainability are often overlooked in favor of sleek designs and compact sizes. The Surface Pro 3, for instance, may look impressive with its slim profile, but its fragile connectors and cables make it prone to malfunctioning and eventually becoming useless.

I recently experienced this firsthand when my Surface Pro 3's back camera stopped functioning due to a non-focus issue. But that was just the beginning - after using it for only three hours, the device required a full five-hour charge. It became clear that the electronics industry prioritizes disposability over longevity.

In fact, many consumer electronic devices are designed with planned obsolescence in mind. The compact size and fragile construction of these devices make them difficult to repair or maintain, encouraging users to simply replace them when they stop working.

The example of my 4th gen Ipod shuffle illustrates this point. After charging it recently, the device stopped spinning up and disconnected from power as soon as I moved my hand away from the receptor. Upon closer inspection, I noticed that the receptor was slightly loose, which caused the issue. Similarly, a friend's malfunctioning external portable 1TB HDD stopped working after experiencing issues with its connector.

The irony is that even durable connectors can be flawed by design. In the case of the Surface Pro 3, the metal contacts inside the charging port are so small that even a tiny amount of dust can form an insulator layer, preventing proper connections. This highlights the need for more attention to detail and consideration for sustainability in device design.

Ultimately, it's clear that many consumer electronic devices are designed with a 'throwaway' mentality rather than durability and repairability in mind. The Surface Pro 3 is just one example of this trend, but it's not unique - countless other devices follow the same pattern.

As consumers, we need to be aware of these issues and demand more from manufacturers. By choosing products that prioritize sustainability and repairability, we can reduce electronic waste and promote a healthier, more environmentally-friendly tech industry.

Surface pro 3