Technology is there, but it is not exactly as he described. I don't think it is true in general but it could be on certain exports. Especially military hi tech stuff.
Totally BS! IBM was the most reliable notebook my family used(That was before it sold to Lenovo). My father used the same T41 for 6 years, and without any problem. He replace his notebook because the battery problem.
I did the some IC chips design many years ago. Those weren't for the printer. Most of them for the Apple's products. When we design it, we have to follow design rules. Those design rules from other semiconductor companies. Those companies have very good idea how long this metal can last, we knew that as well. Mostly IC chips work for at least 5 to 6 years or little bit longer.
We don't have to set the IC to count how long it work. The metal inside IC chips will oxides after some time, others parts as well. We just sit and wait for it out of function, and customer will buy a new replacement.