I was just thinking in the back of my head about how cheap LEDs have made types of lighting that would’ve cost way too much (both to install, and in electricity usage) no longer stupidly expensive.

For example, I noticed on Amazon some cheap furniture that has LEDs/power outlets sort of integrated right into them. Looks pretty cyberpunk-ish to my eyes. And I know years ago that sort of thing would’ve been marked up to high heavens.

Fancy lighting in general has changed drastically in price/design.

So…what are some things, due to changes in demand or changes in tech or changes in anything…that would’ve been really expensive back in the day, but which no longer seem to be, making them more frugal than they used to be?

  • Trainguyrom@reddthat.comEnglish
    1·
    9 months ago

    It’s often things made with exactly the same machines and materials as all the others on the market

    It’s worth noting that for items where quality can vary factories will typically bin the output products. Better quality into the bin going to this expensive brand, worst quality goes straight to Temu, lowest quality that meets Walmart’s standards goes in this bin, etc.

    For anything where the silicon quality really matters you want to bear this in mind. TVs, and LEDs are the biggest ones where the silicon part makes light for you to look at and the quality can make a big difference

    Edit to add: cheap no name chargers are a great way to spend several hundred dollars replacing your phone because you wanted to save $5 on a charger/cable. Personally I don’t gamble with phone chargers, and you can get a good, high speed USB-PD charger for $20 now so it’s really not worth the risk. Heck I got my 3 port name brand GaN USB-PD charger for $35 so the bottom is really not worth racing for now