Last year, Dell unveiled its vision of a more repairable computer with recyclable parts called the Concept Luna. This year, Dell brought back the concept and made tearing it down much easier. Oh, it lets the robot do the repairs.
The new concept is more ambitious than last year’s. The previous system was also fanless, but this system is actively cooled. To my eyes, the steel and plastic chassis looks very similar (but not identical) to the Dell XPS 13 Plus, but Dell engineers say nothing about it.
Previously, four screws had to be removed, but the new design opens by inserting a pin (a SIM card removal tool or paper clip appears to work as well) into the Noble Lock slot, opening the “keystone” above. Pieces can be removed. keyboard. Removing that piece unlocks the keyboard so you can remove it without the ribbon cable. It is connected to the system via pins. In fact, few cables come out one after another, such as batteries, fans, and motherboards. Similarly, displays come out using pins. This will allow you to remove the display ribbon cable. (Note there is a large empty space in the chassis as you can see in some pictures. Perhaps this is where a discrete GPU or larger battery could go missing mosquito?)
Dell engineers and representatives wouldn’t tell me what components the system was running on, but it powered up and booted into Windows. Few minutes. However, I know this is an x86 system. When I asked if it ran Arm , there was a clear denial.
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It’s unclear if Luna was designed with independent repairs in mind, but the company definitely plans to return the laptop to the company. developed a robot that can determine if it is suitable for use on another device. For example, speakers may be reusable to reduce waste.
Glen Robson, CTO of Dell’s Client Solutions Group, wrote in a blog post: “Laptop keyboards and monitors are barely used even when the motherboard is ready to be replaced. Our Concept Luna Evolution equips and connects individual components with telemetry to You can optimize the lifespan, in the simplest terms, it’s like how we maintain our cars: we don’t throw out the whole car when we need new tires and brakes.”
A demonstration of a robot scanning a QR code, identifying salvageable or broken parts, opening a laptop and replacing parts. The robot wasn’t fast, but with the current design, it can take him an hour or more for a recycling partner to disassemble a PC, Dell said.
Of course, all this works only if Dell can get the computer back first. If Luna evolves beyond the concept, the company needs to step up its collection and recycling program to help people understand what to do with their computers when they’re done with them. You should also encourage them to do so, rather than just throwing them in the trash or taking them to your local recycling center.
Dell’s timing is interesting, to say the least. The Concept Luna first showed off the same year the Framework Laptop was released, and his second iteration, released this year, featured a new processor. However, Framework devices are more focused on user upgrades and repairs. Dell seems to focus primarily on enterprise-wide recycling and repair.
A lot of e-waste could be reduced if Luna exits the concept phase. But Dell also needs to realize that easily repairable laptops like this can last much longer than you’re used to simply replacing components with no tools. .
