# Upgradeable Tech Brands are launching tech products designed to be upgraded and repaired by users. By [Colin Smith](https://www.trendhunter.com/Colin96), Senior Insights Analyst | Published May 5, 2023 | Category: [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/modern-art-and-design-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/upgradable-tech ## Key Figures - Trend score: 4.3/10 - Evidence articles: 4 ## What is the Upgradeable Tech trend? **Upgradeable Tech:** Brands are launching technology products designed to be upgraded by the end-user. This includes laptops, smartphones, and gaming devices. This reduces manufacturing costs and consumer costs by allowing brands to sell single components at lower prices, instead of completely new devices to users who want upgrades. ## The consumer insight behind the Upgradeable Tech trend Consumers are increasingly familiar with technology due to the pandemic and the younger generations growing up surrounded by devices. These consumers often repair and upgrade their own products rather than seek help from repair businesses as a cost-saving measure. As a direct result of this, these consumers are drawn to products designed to be opened and repaired. This creates a demand for businesses to sell individual components and products designed to be opened and modified, with a focus on products not as commonly designed to be repairable and upgradable, such as phones or laptops. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 4 featured examples - Articles from: May 19, 2022 to Apr 11, 2023 - Published: May 5, 2023 - Patterns: [Divergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/divergence), [Acceleration](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/acceleration) - Megatrends: [Simplicity](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/simplicity), [Personalization](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/personalization), [Many to Many](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/many-to-many) ## Audience - Gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Upgradeable Tech trend ### Upgradable tech Brands are launching technology products designed to be upgraded by the end-user, leading to a demand for products designed to be opened and modified with a focus on not commonly repairable devices such as phones or laptops. ### User-upgradable parts Users increasingly seek products with user-upgradable components such as RAM and storage, driving innovation in products like modular laptops and mini PCs. ### Dual Ethernet ports The demand for faster internet speeds and higher network reliability has led to an increase in mini PCs featuring dual Ethernet ports. ## What the Upgradeable Tech trend means for industry ### For Consumer electronics Companies producing consumer electronics can utilize upgradable tech to reduce manufacturing costs and consumer costs. ### For Computer hardware The computer hardware industry can take advantage of the desire for user-upgradable components in products like modular laptops and mini PCs. ### For Networking The networking industry can explore the demand for faster internet speeds and higher network reliability by producing products like mini PCs with dual Ethernet ports. ## Workshop question How can your brand reduce costs by creating product for the younger tech-familiar generations that can be easily upgraded and modified? ## Trend signals for Upgradeable Tech Trend score 4.3 out of 10, from popularity 61%, activity 53%, freshness 15%. - Popularity: 61% - Activity: 53% - Freshness: 15% ## Examples of the Upgradeable Tech trend 4 featured examples from May 19, 2022 to Apr 11, 2023. - [Compact Upgradable PCs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/elitemini-hx90): MInisforum's EliteMini HX90 Boasts User-Upgradable RAM and Storage (Category: Tech) Implication: Providing gamers with convenient user-upgradable storage and memory in a compact form factor. - [Accessible Modular Laptops](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/second-generation-laptop): Framework Announced its Improved Second-Generation Modular Laptop (Category: Art & Design) Implication: Consumer electronics companies can benefit from incorporating sustainable and customizable features in their products to appeal to environmentally conscious customers and offer a… - [Dual-Ethernet Mini PCs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/minisforum-nab6): The Minisforum NAB6 Has a 12th-Gen Intel Processor and Upgradable Parts (Category: Tech) Implication: Companies in the computer hardware industry can explore developing high-performance user-upgradeable mini-PCs. - [User-Upgradable Modular Laptops](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/framework-laptops): Framework Announced its 2023 Laptops with Upgradable GPUs (Category: Tech) Implication: Computer hardware manufacturing industry may adopt user-upgradable and modular designs to create laptops that last longer, reduce electronic waste, and provide customized computin… ## Recent trend clusters - [Delegated Interfaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/delegated-interfaces) (Tech) - [Sneaker Theater](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/sneaker-theater) (Fashion) - [Functional Indulgence](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/functional-indulgence1) (Lifestyle) - [Ritual Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/ritual-systems) (Fashion) ## Trending in Art & Design - [Recycled Neon Light Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/encore-encore) - [Handmade Craft Tradeshow Initiatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ny-now-handmade-division) - [Branded Luxury Residential Spaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/branded-luxury-residential-spaces) - [Self-Cleaning Smart Vacuums](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tinecos-pure-one-station-5) All articles: [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign)