Technology

Reports suggest that Apple is using defective chips originally destined for high-end devices to create its latest affordable laptop. Reusing partially broken chips is common practice for all device makers and produces less waste

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Manufacturing computer chips is never a perfect process

Apple

Apple may be ramping up its use of defective chips to manufacture its new low-cost laptop. That may sound bad, but it is actually an example of a common practice called “binning”, which reduces the cost and environmental impact of our smartphones and laptops.

The name originated in farming, where premium fruit and vegetables are sold to one type of customer, misshapen ones are set aside for others and the worst, perhaps even rotten, produce is used as animal feed. Everything has its purpose, separated into bins of different grades, with no waste.…