The Enduring Connection to Old Hardware

I've always had a special bond with the hardware I use, a connection that began in high school when I meticulously chose an MP3 player. This pattern of selecting unique devices over popular ones continued through my university years. I chose an HP Compaq nx6310 for its durability and serviceability, and it still powers on after 20 years. It was on this machine that I installed my first Linux distribution, Ubuntu 6.06, and later Gentoo, marking the beginning of my journey into the tech world.

My attachment to old hardware often requires commitment, especially when the device wasn't built to last. Yet, there's a rewarding process in joining communities dedicated to keeping such devices alive. For instance, I gave my iPod 5th gen a second life by replacing its internal HDD with an SD card and installing Rockbox. Sometimes, it's a necessity, like when I soldered a resistor to the NAS motherboard just before moving to a new country.

In 2014, I received a MacBook Pro at work, which wasn't my first Apple encounter. I remember the iMac G3s from my school days, which were stolen, leaving a lasting impression on me. Over time, the thrill of using the MacBook faded, but its hardware remains relevant. The Retina display, aluminum body, and top-notch trackpad keep me from switching to other laptops, despite the aging CPU and graphics limitations.

When I changed jobs, I bought the MacBook and continued using it, even as official support ended. I run NixOS on it, and it serves as a distraction-free machine for writing and focused work. Recently, I faced issues with the broadcom_sta driver being marked insecure, prompting me to search for alternatives. I found an adapter and Intel AX210 card, but upon opening the case, I discovered a swollen battery, which I replaced.

This MacBook has traveled with me across three continents, lasting longer than expected. While I replaced my iPhone 8 with a newer model due to security updates, I found little excitement in modern devices. Most follow the same design and cycle, making it worthwhile to seek out those with a soul, built to last. ThinkPads and Framework laptops are promising examples of this enduring spirit.