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| Green Laptops |
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Unwired June 2007 • Vol.5 Issue 6 Page(s) 22-23 in print issue |
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Green Laptops Choose A Notebook That Is Environmentally Friendly & Long On Charge |
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 What if you could help the environment just by making one simple decision? If you buy a notebook computer instead of a desktop PC, you’re well on your way to helping save the planet. For starters, a notebook is smaller than a desktop, so it has less environmental impact at disposal. In fact, the trim size of a notebook means it only uses the bare minimum in computer components, such as one hard drive, one CD/DVD drive, and one graphics adapter. By contrast, a desktop might have two graphics cores (including one on the motherboard and one external core), extra hard drives, more than one CD or DVD drive, and other components, such as a flash card reader, USB hub, and extra video input ports. The proliferation of notebook computers is also less harmful to the atmosphere, as manufacturing plants dedicated to producing smaller computers with fewer parts release fewer emissions. Just as importantly, mobile processors are designed for long battery life, which means they are state of the art in terms of power management. Laptops don’t use as much power as a desktop, mostly because the processor is only drawing about 30 to 35W or less, compared to about 65W or more for a desktop CPU. (The ancillary benefit is that your electrical bill won’t be quite as high if you use a laptop.) In most cases, a laptop also complies with European regulations on lead-free computing, such as the RoHS (Restrictions of Hazardous Substances) and WEEE (Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment), which is a mandated disposal code in Europe. Lead is used primarily in soldering parts together on a computer, but RoHS and WEEE encourage companies to use other means for building a PC.
Additionally, similar programs in the United States are being established. These initiatives will mandate how computers are made, how they are recycled, and whether they meet environmental standards. “One of the latest developments across the industry is new standards that regulate procurement,” says John Frey, the HP manager for corporate environmental strategies. “For example, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently established new standards for public sector procurement, known as the Electronic Products Environmental Assessment Tool [EPEAT]. Currently, more than 47 HP business PCs, notebooks, workstations, and monitors are registered with EPEAT.”
“Product footprint and weight are key drivers of life cycle environmental impact of PC products,” says David Hallisey, a Gateway representative. “That being the case, smaller-footprint, lighter-weight notebooks are inherently ‘greener’ than heavier, larger-footprint products because they are designed to deliver the desired performance while consuming fewer materials for manufacturing and less energy for shipment and distribution. Packaging requirements are also reduced, saving materials and energy.”
 The Greenest Notebooks We found four green notebooks, the Sony Vaio TXN, the Apple MacBook, the Gateway SX100, and the HP NC2400, which their respective manufacturers recommended as their most environment friendly. Each of these systems have a smaller-than-normal footprint, four hours or more of battery life, and a processor designed for better power management than a standard notebook. The main trade-off with these systems is that you might find the keyboard more cramped than usual. The Apple MacBook was a notable exception; it was spacious enough that we found we could type as quickly and comfortably as we would with a full-size keyboard. Another drawback is that processing power is not adequate for video-editing or even image-editing. These types of applications, as well as graphic-intense 3D games, require considerably more power than the models we observed provide. The Sony Vaio TXN laptop was the longest lasting system by far. Running for about 10 hours straight, the notebook is perhaps more like a UMPC (Ultra Mobile PC) than a notebook. Yet it still includes a DVD drive, MemoryStick reader, and good graphics performance for games. Each of the other test units lasted about four hours, which is still about twice as long as most standard notebooks. Of course, a green notebook is only one part of the puzzle. Most PC makers will encourage end users to be environmentally conscious: Instead of using a screensaver (which still causes a computer to consume power) when your machine is idle, shut down your laptop when not in use. Also, plug your notebook into an LCD monitor at home instead of a CRT monitor, which can consume twice as much energy as the former. Any way you slice it, green computing is here to stay. 2007 may just be the first year that it takes hold with consumers. Laptops will get more efficient, smaller, and safer for the planet. Also, as you shop, keep your eyes open for manufacturer disposal programs, such as the Gateway recycling initiative at www.gateway.com/about/corp_responsibility /env_options.php, which can assist you in legally disposing of your current system when you upgrade.  by John Brandon |
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