Damaged Good - Computer Hardware

Computer Hardware

This product differentiation strategy has also been used in hardware products:

  • The Intel 486SX which was a 486DX with the FPU removed or in early versions present but disabled.
  • AMD disables defective cores on their quad-core Phenom and Phenom II X4 processor dies to make cheaper triple-core Phenom and Phenom II X3 and dual-core X2 models without the expense of designing new chips. Quad-core dies with one or two faulty cores can be used as triple- or dual-core processors rather than being discarded, increasing yield. Some users have managed to "unlock" these crippled cores, when not faulty.
  • Powerware has a line of UPS models that can be upgraded in the field (without replacing any components) to the top model (15 kVA). That is, all the models are equal, but the lower ones are sold with a power limit, which can be removed for a price.
  • Casio fx-82es scientific calculator has the same ROM as fx-991es, but some functions are disabled.

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