Back Market Challenges Tech’s Throwaway Culture with “The Obsolete Laptop“
September 16, 2025 – Reconditioned tech marketplace Back Market is making a bold statement against planned obsolescence with the launch of “The Obsolete Laptop,” a limited-edition offering designed to spark a crucial conversation about the lifespan of our devices. The initiative comes as Microsoft prepares to end support for Windows 10 on October 14th, a move that threatens to render up to 400 million perfectly functional computers obsolete.
Rather than capitalizing on the situation with a typical upgrade promotion, back market is flipping the script. “The Obsolete Laptop” isn’t just a product; it’s a protest. The company is offering reconditioned laptops, in excellent working condition and backed by Back Market’s standard warranty and return policy, for just €99.
but here’s the key: these laptops will be pre-configured to bypass Microsoft’s forced update, allowing users to continue using them without disruption.Back Market is also providing free tutorials to empower users to reconfigure their own existing devices, extending the reach of the initiative far beyond those who purchase the special edition laptops.
“Programmed obsolescence causes countless devices, despite having perfectly good hardware, to end up in electronic waste landfills,” explains Marta Castillo, Marketing Director and Brand at Back market Spain. “With these limited laptops – which woudl be deemed obsolete by the new Windows update – we want to demonstrate that technology has a much longer life than large corporations would have us believe.”
A Growing E-Waste Crisis
The issue is significant. Windows powers over 1.4 billion computers globally,and an estimated 40-55% of those may not be compatible with Windows 11. This means hundreds of millions of usable devices are at risk of becoming e-waste, exacerbating the growing environmental crisis and potentially widening the digital divide.
Back Market’s move is a direct challenge to the industry’s cycle of constant upgrades and a powerful reminder that a enduring future for technology requires a shift in mindset. “The Obsolete Laptop” is currently available in Spain, France, Germany, and the United kingdom, and is poised to ignite a much-needed debate about the true cost of our throwaway tech culture.
Keywords: Back Market, Windows 10, Windows 11, e-waste, planned obsolescence, reconditioned laptops, refurbished, sustainability, technology, digital divide, Microsoft, environmental impact.
