Dell’s Concept Luna: A Laptop You Can Actually Repair 

Here, we are going to discuss Dell’s Concept Luna, a redesign of the laptop PC that emphasizes repairability, in December 2021, right before CES, the world’s premier electronics event.

Repairing modern computers is notoriously difficult (and occasionally impossible), a problem Luna’s designers address by lowering the number of screws to four and eliminating the use of permanent adhesives. Many components, on the other hand, have a tendency to lock into place. Dell has established a target of reusing or recycling one product equivalent for every one it sells. Luna, a disassembled and repurposed laptop, might be able to help with that.

The goal of Dell’s Concept Luna

The greater goal of sustainability aligns with the goal of repairability. Dell’s Concept Luna resembles Dell’s latest XPS 13, but it has a less carbon footprint thanks to some ingenious adjustments. It’s made for on-demand manufacturing to cut down on inventory waste.

The motherboard, which is one of the most resource-intensive components, has been reduced to one-quarter of its original size. The stamped aluminum is meant to reduce scrap and may be recycled once the laptop has reached the end of its useful life. Dell isn’t alone in emphasizing the importance of environmental stewardship. At CES 2022, LG said that its new OLED TVs will utilize more recyclable materials and reduce packaging waste, while Lenovo unveiled a Yoga laptop made partially from recycled plastics. These actions follow Apple’s lead, which employs recycled aluminum in a variety of products, including the MacBook.

Sustainable, repairable products may make consumers feel like they’re making a smaller contribution to these long-term issues, but they also have an immediate benefit: longevity. Modern electronics typically last at least five years; routers, screens, and high-end PCs can last a decade or longer.

Unfortunately, a defect that should be (but isn’t) repairable, such as an old battery or a broken charging port, frequently shortens the life of a gadget. After purchase, Dell’s Concept Luna would allow users to repair or upgrade components, extending the life of the laptop. A broken key or a bloated battery would no longer be fatal.

Framework, a company that plans to ship its first laptop in 2021, is already putting this concept into action. The laptop that bears the company’s name is built with simple access to its internal components. Hard drives, batteries, and Wi-Fi adapters may all be replaced, and expansion cards can be used to replace or change ports. Framework’s laptop isn’t as small or modular as Dell’s, but it does have the advantage of being available right now.

Apple is also working on a Self Service Repair program that will sell iPhone, iPad, and Mac parts directly to customers. With the help of new, official repair guides, owners will be able to repair their gadgets. These will be the first official repair instructions ever produced for the iPhone and iPad.

The cynic in me must remind out that, while welcome, these actions pale in comparison to the massive, worldwide shift required to halt climate change. A heat dome will not be stopped by replacing the screen of an iPhone.

Progress, however, should not be underestimated. Consumer electronics will not alter overnight, but that does not rule out the possibility of change. It’s critical that Dell and other consumer electronics businesses understand our desire for sustainable materials. Modular design is what we seek. We want products that we can repair and use for a decade or more.

These little improvements are only one step in the marathon fight to combat climate change, but they are steps in the right direction nonetheless. No doubt, Dell’s Concept Luna is a very unique and different idea that can serve humanity.

This article appears in the March 2022 print issue as “Dell’s Proposed Laptop is Fit to be Fixed.”