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Here, a computer might be interpreted as a laptop or a desktop, not an embedded system "with a computer in them". Anyway, the list is very short and exclusive

Here, a computer might be interpreted as a laptop or a desktop, not an embedded system "with a computer in them". Anyway, the list is very short and exclusive (for now?): "For now, the right to repair laws only cover: Dishwashers; Washing machines and washer-dryers; Refrigeration appliances; Televisions and other electronic displays"

pbhjpbhj 5y ago
IME washing machines, dishwashers, washer-dryers all have relatively good repairability and good parts availability already (fridges too, though I've less experience of that). You even see them being scored on repairability or repair costs. Have they addressed a problem that is largely absent? It's hard to choose to repair when a secondhand replacement is as cheap though. Replaced a plastic pipe, and a hose on my dishwasher, delivered cost ~£50; same as a newer secondhand dishwasher. But at least I've kept it out of the waste stream for a couple more years. Source: fixed all the white goods in my house several times over. I don't have anything recent though, so more recent products might be worse. There is a lot of part reuse, which is good.
- alias_neo 5y ago
  I live in a London new-build flat. Mine and several of my neighbours washing machines gave out at the same time, all in the same month, all roughly 3 years in. These came with the flats of course. I would repair it, but having watched a YouTube video on how it's done, the cost in tools, parts and effort (it's a full disassembly) to make the relatively simple repair I cannot justify over buying a better model of my choosing.
  - tremon 5y ago
    Right-to-repair laws aren't about you personally repairing every item you need. It means you have the freedom to buy the support and maintenance you need from the entire market, rather than being beholden to expensive options "blessed" by the original manufacturer.
    - alias_neo 5y ago
      I know what it means. I'm an engineer though and a practical person so I -will- choose to repair something myself where practical, that wasn't the point I was trying to make. Unfortunately, although the parts to repair the washing machine are inexpensive, the design means a sizeable labor effort (and thus cost) to get at the problem part, so repairing it isn't practical, even for a repair shop, because it's hours of work. The fact that several of my neighbors had the same machine fail at the same time suggest it's designed to fail early. Between that and being designed to make a simple bearing change several hours of work, is was designed to be thrown away, not repaired, by anyone.
  - pbhjpbhj 5y ago
    I'm not sure how it works with something someone else bought, but the Consumer Rights Act might cover this situation, especially if it's a manufacturing fault. Washing machines would be reasonably expected to last at least 10 years, so you'd be entitled to a free repair, a like-for-like replacement or a 70% refund. Maybe soak to Which? or Citizens Advice (or a lawyer of you have one).

pbhjpbhj 5y ago

IME washing machines, dishwashers, washer-dryers all have relatively good repairability and good parts availability already (fridges too, though I've less experience of that). You even see them being scored on repairability or repair costs. Have they addressed a problem that is largely absent? It's hard to choose to repair when a secondhand replacement is as cheap though. Replaced a plastic pipe, and a hose on my dishwasher, delivered cost ~£50; same as a newer secondhand dishwasher. But at least I've kept it out of the waste stream for a couple more years. Source: fixed all the white goods in my house several times over. I don't have anything recent though, so more recent products might be worse. There is a lot of part reuse, which is good.

alias_neo 5y ago
I live in a London new-build flat. Mine and several of my neighbours washing machines gave out at the same time, all in the same month, all roughly 3 years in. These came with the flats of course. I would repair it, but having watched a YouTube video on how it's done, the cost in tools, parts and effort (it's a full disassembly) to make the relatively simple repair I cannot justify over buying a better model of my choosing.
- tremon 5y ago
  Right-to-repair laws aren't about you personally repairing every item you need. It means you have the freedom to buy the support and maintenance you need from the entire market, rather than being beholden to expensive options "blessed" by the original manufacturer.
  - alias_neo 5y ago
    I know what it means. I'm an engineer though and a practical person so I -will- choose to repair something myself where practical, that wasn't the point I was trying to make. Unfortunately, although the parts to repair the washing machine are inexpensive, the design means a sizeable labor effort (and thus cost) to get at the problem part, so repairing it isn't practical, even for a repair shop, because it's hours of work. The fact that several of my neighbors had the same machine fail at the same time suggest it's designed to fail early. Between that and being designed to make a simple bearing change several hours of work, is was designed to be thrown away, not repaired, by anyone.
- pbhjpbhj 5y ago
  I'm not sure how it works with something someone else bought, but the Consumer Rights Act might cover this situation, especially if it's a manufacturing fault. Washing machines would be reasonably expected to last at least 10 years, so you'd be entitled to a free repair, a like-for-like replacement or a 70% refund. Maybe soak to Which? or Citizens Advice (or a lawyer of you have one).