Any advantage to a new microwave?
 

We've been using this thing that is (quite honestly) from the early 70s.

Gimme some reasons to buy my mom a new microwave for her birthday?

Newer models are probably more efficient with the power it uses, or may even use less energy (some, not all) plus might have more advanced features that may be useful and non-existent in the older model.

But to quote that old addage -- "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" :D

I agree, but I feel like this thing gives me cancer.

I remember the first microwave my father bought : it had a temperature sensor and then you just configured the temperature you wanted your drink :)

After several temperature sensor replacement, they broke every couple of years, the new microwave didn't had this feature but was quicker and consumed less, but I don't remember the figures as I was too young to care about...

About the leaking problem, I don't think it is a reality, but the first microwaves in France were in the 80's. You may test with a wireless network as they use the same wavelength.

Since several times I searched a microwave with temperature sensor for drinks but never found any :(

Denis.

In japan they have microwaves that autosense the weight of foods or the temperature or something and have one-button auto heating...That's what I really want, but they were too big to carry back on the plane, :)

Newer models IME use more energy when idle, but iono about when in use.

Actually I expected to see that, but our newish m-wave doesn't hardly use anything when it is off (barely registered on the kill-a-watt). The printer and vcr on the otherhand are sucking a suprising amount of wattage for just sitting there doing nothing.

And heating without a temp sensor is like driving a stick without a tach, no problem. You learn quick enough :)

Older microwaves specially can emit frequencies well out of their designed range and they can escape but usually only if the barrier has been damaged. Back in HS when I was doing first robotics, our sponsor BAE had a microwave from the mid 80's that they warned us not stand by while it was cooking because it did actually leak out microwaves - and they even proved it. It can happen but I'm not sure how common it is. Your best bet in replacing your current one is to measure the electricity usage and compare it to newer ones ratings. A big part of being eco-friendly isn't just reducing power consumed but also reducing new goods being consumed because they use a lot of power to get the materials (recycle or mining/drilling), construction, and transportation, and the power used to get rid of the old one properly.

Seals and hinges and safety locks are also better on the newer models.
The early units were generally less efficient in the casings and housing than the later units but the part making the microwaves hasn't changed much apart from now being a little smaller.
Most now have built in recipe files and other convenience features.

Spoil you Mom and buy her something decent...and wish her a happy birthday from us all here as well.

By the way some SANYO models have the weigh feature and single button cooking.
The "RICE" setting has all this.
Place rice and water into container and put in oven. Press RICE on the keypad and it does the rest including calling you when it needs to be stirred and wishing you to "enjoy your meal"
It doesn't say "Have a nice day" but then I am sure this will be on the a model sometime i the near future !

Cheers , Pete

Both are pretty low, but my Grandpa's newer microwave used ~6W compared to ~2W for the 1980's version I have. Not sure about the power use when it's on, but now that mine doesn't heat anything I suppose it's pulled decisively into the lead. :D