qx> how long will a Poet device last?

well, this is speculation of course, but I can't see a reason for something consumable to be in there ... it's not like it's going to need an oil change or new brake fluid every 100 petabits.

I'd be inclined to think that, like most other reputable electronics, the things would be expected to last their entire designed service life.

consider: Voyager2 has been floating around out there since 1977, and it's still working just fine.

however, that doesn't look at other things that might be generic, or otherwise present in the application though, like bathtub curve mortality or the ever-present market-planned obsolescence.

those kinds of "features" might actually be part of the end-user's design (glued-in iThing battery, battlefield weapon detonation, etc) -- but they're not something inherent to a POET device.

hth,

R.