In New Zealand, you could claim that since the manufacturer will sell a 3 year warranty that the item should last for at least that long. The Consumer Guarantees Act overrules whatever the manufacturer says and states that a device should last for a reasonable amount of time. If it is more expensive, then it should last longer. If they won't repair or replace it, you can take them to the Disputes Tribunal where they aren't allowed to send a lawyer. It generally works quite well.

I don't understand why you'd charge extra money for a 1k device to last 3 years. That should be table stakes!

Also, a bad USB charger should not kill a device.

  > Also, a bad USB charger should not kill a device.

Then you've not seen bad USB chargers. Of course a device that by design is pumping voltage could ruin whatever it is connected to - especially if the connected device is sensitive equipment.

I've seen a USB charger pumping -1 to 11 volts AC out the USB connector - it was fluctuating 6 volts in either direction. Of course, you need an oscolliscope to detect that as it's at 50 hertz (C plug) - on a regular voltmeter it looked like 5 v steady.

> I don't understand why you'd charge extra money for a 1k device to last 3 years

A question to the lawmakers.

I just don't buy overpriced, overpowered brand new shit.

Can't be an alpha or beta tester for a multibillion dollar corp if you're the second owner, and already have heard any and all gripes about a model.

Buying an iPad hardly makes you a beta tester for brand new shit. They've been around for a while.

Not when you buy the latest model without doing comparisons of complaints with the last three models.

Funny how nobody has time for that, but plenty of time to

1) be without a device

2) complain

etc

Agree. Plus you don't sponsor the throwaway culture.