Dell Inspiron 14Z-5423

This page reflects the research I conducted for the Digital Archaeology Project [DGST-101, Spring 2019 UMW]. During this research, I worked with my team to take apart and identify the parts of a Dell Inspiron 14Z-5423 laptop. The three parts I was tasked with identifying were the speakers, battery, and SSD Chip.  Starting with the information written on each item, I was able to research and discover their countries, companies, and factories of origin.

                 More information regarding each item, including their part numbers, physical addresses, and unique identification numbers are linked below. 

Class: Physical Object
Title: Battery
Description: Black device, length four times it's width, all in once piece
Provenance: The battery was made in China, but the whole device was assembled in Taiwan
Function: Stores battery
Identifier: JP-0TPCF-48630-2AA-H0K5-A01
Country of Origin: China
Part Number: DP/N 0TPMCF
Date Created: October 2012
Manufacturer: Dell Inc, Interplex Holdings, LTD (Amtek). 
No. 36, Xing Ming Street, CSS Industrial Park, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, 215021, Peoples Republic of China
Evidence: I translated the Chineese symbols at the base of the battery, revealing the words "co. ltd" These words were compared to a list of Dell manufacturing plants. One of the plants listed in China was also listed as a "co. LTD" plant. From this we were able to find the address.
Sources: List of Dell manufacturing plants
Curator: Abigail Buchholz

The story behind the battery: Interplex Holdings states on their website that the, "promote environment protection activities in all our respective fields: Tool & product design, production and service. " They claim to...

• Conservation of natural resources

• Reduction of waste and recycled waste, and only executing proper disposal when absolutely necessary

• Minimization of potential environmental accidents

• Appropriate training for employees, subcontract workers, vendors & facility subcontractors of Interplex on related environmental requirements. Ensure complete understanding and incorporation of above-mentioned knowledge into daily work processes

Based on the information provided by the Interplex website it would appear that the company is an amazing place to work, but more objective reports tell a different story. In 2013, right after our device was made, China Labor Watch released a report saying that they found  infractions with working hours, overtime, insufficient wages, as well as poor working and living conditions and a high level of employee dissatisfaction in manufacturing plants in Jiangsu. 

• Class: Physical Object
• Title: Speakers
• Description: Two speakers attached by a cord
• Function: Makes noise
• Identifier:CN-0R6JWX-70166-29R-4526-A01
• Country of Origin: China
• Part Number:DP/N 0R6JWX
• Date Created: 12/10/08
• Manufacturer: Dell Inc. No. 2366, Jinshang Road, Information Industrial Park Guangdian, Xiamen, Fujian, People's Republic of China
• Evidence: A sticker on the speakers reveals that they were made in China and are the official Dell brand, meaning, in this case, they were made in a Dell factory. From a list of part manufacturers that Dell uses there were only two factories that were both Dell and China. Of the two listed factories only one made parts for Inspiron Desktop computer, which is the type of computer we had.
• Sources: List of Dell manufacturers 
• Curator:Abigail Buchholz

Humanitarian Impact: 

According to the Dell Technologies website, "Dell is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. " In Xiamen they have started a Finance Development Program in order to benefit the region by offering, "Highly competitive salaries, bonus programs, world-class benefits, and unparalleled growth and development opportunities — all to create a compelling and rewarding work environment." 

• Class: Physical Object
• Title: 32GM SSD Chip
• Description: Stores Data
• Identifier: TW-04NG44-55085-29P-0482-A00
• Country of Origin: Taiwan
• Part Number: DP/N 04NG44
• Date Created: September 2012
• Manufacturer: Lite-On It Corp. No.8 Dusing Road, Hsinchu Science Park, Hsinchu, Taiwan
• Evidence: Both the address and manufacturing date were on the chip itself.
• Curator: Abigail Buchholz

Humanitarian Impact:

Compared to the other manufacturers I looked at Lite-On It Corp had, by far, the most comprehensive data about their employees. On their website they had listings of their employees broken down by age, gender, nationality, and whether or not they were on disability. They also reported their turnover rates, levels of education, and amount of child rearing assistance they received. Lite-On It Crop was also the only manufacturer of whom I struggled to find any reports of malpractice in their factories.