For most of us, tech devices are not the type of thing that we’re going to attempt to repair under any circumstances. This reluctance is usually sensible, given the potentially dangerous art of building and taking apart electronics, but it has created a number of problems for users and the environment. As right-to-repair initiatives gather steam around the world, is it time to face our fears and pick up a screwdriver?
The Three Rs
Well, no, not really. Attempting to fix an iPhone or washing machine without the appropriate experience is likely to end in disaster. Believe it or not, a right-to-repair law has very little to do with making consumers responsible for their own tech fixes, rather, it’s a way of persuading companies like Apple, Google, and Samsung to make official parts available to independent repairers.
The onus would then be on consumers to follow the three Rs – reuse, repair, and recycle – as opposed to throwing a damaged phone or console into the trash. This isn’t really possible at the moment, as lots of products are simply not designed to be repaired without highly specialized equipment. Those that can be easily fixed are often held behind warranty conditions that demand first-party involvement.
So, why would anybody need a toolkit for technology? The obvious use case involves PC building, which can require everything from a non-magnetic screwdriver to zip ties, but a growing concern for the future has actually caused some tech aficionados to create their own electronic version of a survival bag. Once again, though, does anybody really need such a kit?
Electrical Damage
Even if we forget about the climate, PC building, and hardware repairs, a tech survival kit does serve an important purpose, as a set of spares. The package put together by ExpressVPN has a secondary phone, a wireless hotspot, and a portable OS for device breakdowns. Also, copies of passports, insurance documents, and licenses saved on a USB drive can assist if any of them are lost or stolen.
The contents of a tech survival kit are, ultimately, up to the owner but it’s possible to create as large or small of a pack as you like. For example, the LifeWire website suggests that PC builders make an effort to prevent electrical damage when working by purchasing lint-free cloth, a grounding strap for the wrist, and compressed air for blasting away dust. A torch or headlight is a must for these situations, too.
For those talented people who are able to fix their own hardware, legislation like the USA’s Freedom to Repair Act does offer a chance to avoid the guilt of ruining the environment with each new unit that’s replaced. An equivalent of 1,000 laptops per second is thrown away every year, according to figures from The World Counts, a problem that puts dangerous chemicals like lead and mercury into the soil.
In summary, a toolkit for tech is a multifaceted set of devices that can add value to every household or store, especially as interest in repairs continues to grow.