The capacitor that Apple soldered incorrectly at the factory (downtowndougbrown.com)

Article summary

The article discusses a capacitor that was soldered incorrectly at the factory in Apple's Macintosh LC III, a 'pizza box' Mac model produced from 1993 to 1994. The capacitor, C22, was installed with its negative terminal pointing upwards, contrary to standard practice. This mistake could cause problems when replacing the capacitor with a tantalum one, as they are less forgiving when installed in reverse. The author verified this issue by examining the circuit and comparing it with other Mac models of the era.

Main themes

• Vintage electronics
• Capacitor installation
• Apple hardware
• Electronics repair
• Product lifespan

What commenters say

• Some argue that companies should be required to recall and fix products with known faults, even if they are old, to ensure safety and quality.
• Others believe that expecting electronics to last for decades is unrealistic and that the cost of repair often outweighs the cost of replacement.
• The lifespan of modern electronics has decreased significantly compared to older models, with some arguing that this is due to changes in technology and manufacturing priorities.
• Replacing faulty capacitors can be a cost-effective way to extend the life of older electronics, rather than discarding them and buying new ones.
• The quality of modern TVs has plummeted in terms of lifespan, with some arguing that this is a result of prioritizing low costs over durability.
• Some commenters disagree, citing their own experiences with long-lasting modern electronics and arguing that the expected lifespan of a TV is not necessarily a measure of its quality.
• The main cause of failure in older electronics is often the drying out of capacitors in the power supply, which can be replaced to extend the device's lifespan.
• The lack of repair shops and the complexity of modern electronics can make it difficult for people to repair their devices, leading to unnecessary waste and purchases.