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The way EPEAT operates is common for government-backed standards organizations and shows the potential for problems using them. NIST produces a ton of "guidance" documents that are not intended to be used as government policy (per a person at NIST) but the end result is most federal agencies are required to use them as policy by their governing agencies. Any "standard" that allows a submitting company to self declare-adherence is worthless and needs to have its charter re-evaluated. I'm not picking on Apple since Dell has well over 100 products with Gold seal self-certification. Of course, EPEAT has nothing to do with the quality of the product, just how easy it is to get rid of it. I commend the direction of EPEAT but it needs to be changed to justify its required use for federal systems.

"our teardown" ? I didn't know ifixit is owned by macworld

HadiFarnoud, on 18 July 2012 - 07:14 AM, said:

There's no such implication in the article.

HadiFarnoud, on 18 July 2012 - 07:14 AM, said:

It wasn't sourced, but I am pretty sure that is a quote from iFixIt.

vaughner, on 18 July 2012 - 09:06 AM, said:

It was sourced, there were two links to iFixIt in that section.

This post has been edited by Stewsburntmonkey: 18 July 2012 - 09:15 AM

Three things I would like to see from Apple:

1. Innovate across MacBook Air and Pro in the area of the size of RAM modules and their sockets so that they can have thin form factors and still maintain user RAM upgradability.

2. Innovate across MacBook Air and Pro in the area of the size of user removable battery modules and their case mechanical interface so that they can have thin form factors and still maintain user battery replacability.

3. Innovate across MacBook Air and Pro in the area of non-proprietary SSD's so that they can have thin form factors and still maintain user disk replacability.

I don't ask for much... do I?

bettercitizens, on 18 July 2012 - 09:45 AM, said:

Physically impossible unless you want the Air to literally double in thickness.

"While few consumers are thought to have taken apart the new laptop, one place that has is iFixit.com. The company specializes in repair of electronics and its product tear-downs are becoming as much a part of Apple launches as the long lines and hysteria."

Are "consumers" the only people who read iFixit or take apart computers? Has nobody ever stopped to consider what this means for people who actually repair computers as a job? "Consumers" like to think that serviceability is "not my problem" -- until their own computer ends up on the repair bench, and then they are asking the technician every 5 minutes "is it done yet, is it done yet, is it done yet..."

"Consumers" are not the only people who read Macworld either. Macworld editors, please do your readers a service and start looking into how poor serviceability affects everyone, from technicians to "consumers".

This post has been edited by kosh: 18 July 2012 - 11:33 AM

MichaelMullins, on 18 July 2012 - 10:09 AM, said:

This is why the word "innovate" was used. Something new that is better than what currently exists!

bettercitizens, on 18 July 2012 - 09:45 AM, said:

I think we can look at the car analogy again for something like this. Many of us remember a time when cars were more user serviceable than they are today. With cars, in place of user serviceability, we've gained better reliability and greater efficiency. I suspect our biggest concerns are based on our habits from previous devices. I initially had an issue with the iPhone's battery that couldn't be removed. After owning several generations of iPhones, I no longer consider that a concern. As always, Apple is ahead of the curve. Whether we like it or not, we're moving along with it. It's just a matter of time before others follow Apple's lead and this sort of thing becomes common practice.

LynnRCarter, on 18 July 2012 - 11:51 AM, said:

You can't innovate around the laws of physics…

However, I think the real issue is economic benefit and overall practicality and usefulness of the features being asked for. Is it better to offer upgradable RAM or simply install enough initially that upgrades are unnecessary? Is it better to have a user-replacable battery or include a batter which is large enough and is long-lived enough to not need to be replaced by the vast majority of users? Is it better to have an SSD tied solidly to the motherboard which will remain reliable and fast for years or allow for user-replacable SSDs?

Oh no! Look out! It's Glue-gate!!
At the risk of sounding anti-recycle/reuse I can't help but, cynically, think someone where this is being blown beyond all reasonable proportion so some people/organizations can get some press.
Excuse me but how many MBPr models is the City of SF going to buy anyway without EPEAT certification? Another cynicism: when someone comes up with a "government standard" that standard is already out of date such as is the case with EPEAT says Apple and other sources.

Stewsburntmonkey, on 18 July 2012 - 12:01 PM, said: