Purchasing a laptop is a smart environmental decision when compared with purchasing a desktop pc. The main reason being that a notebook is smaller than a desktop so there is less of an environmental impact at the time of disposal. The slim size of the flat laptop means that there are smaller and less hazardous parts to be disposed of, such as hard drives, cd/dvd drives, flash card readers, usb ports, etc. The manufacturing of smaller and smaller laptop computers also has in indirect effect, in that the processing plants produce less harmful emissions into the environment. Another factor that makes laptops a better environmental decision is the fact that most laptops now comply with European regulations on lead-free computing, such as the WEEE (Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment) and RoHS (Restrictions of Hazardous Substances), which are mandated disposal codes in Europe. Lead is used primarily to solder parts together on a computer, but these regulations encourage companies to use other methods for building a PC.
There are current projects that support having environmentally friendly laptops and one of those projects is the One Laptop Per Child's project. The mission of this project is to be able to produce low cost laptops to help educate children around the world. The laptop is called "XO Laptop". Children in third world countries who do not have access to this kind of technology will be able to benefit from this project so they will be educated. Not only will these children benefit, but it also proves that laptops can be made at a low cost and be more eco-friendly.
But despite the advances in the world of green laptops, there are still many issues that need to be addressed in order to manufacture an even more eco-friendly laptop. In the 2009, sales of laptops worldwide are expected to surpass desktop pcs for the first time ever. The average person will keep a laptop for only three years before it is tossed in the closet or tossed in the garbage, which presses the issue for an even more recyclable laptop. Some issues that still need addressed and some possible solutions:
1. Problem: The use of petroleum-filled plastic. Solution: Instead of this material, laptops can be produced with bioplastic-polymers. This type of material is also heat-resistant enough to withstand the heat produced by laptops.
2. Problem: Like any other electronic devices a laptop is dependent on electric power. Solution: Harness the power from the sun. As of today we can already see electronic devices that are powered by solar energy. This will definitely be possible with laptops.
3. Problem: Lead products in the waste. Solution: As mentioned above, the European Union has enacted legal restrictions on lead. President Bush has also followed suit with standards for American lead use.
4. Problem: Spinning hard drives. Solution: Use of flash memory hard drives. With the use of this type of hard drive, there will be no excessive usage of watts due to the moving parts of the hard drive. This helps reduce energy usage to up to 10 percent. This year, Dell has introduced a laptop that offers a 32 GB solid-state hard drive.
There are now a number of laptops that have won awards for being the most environmentally friendly. These include the XO Laptop, Lenovo Thinkpad X300, Dell D360, HP 2710p, and the Toshiba Portege R500.
There are current projects that support having environmentally friendly laptops and one of those projects is the One Laptop Per Child's project. The mission of this project is to be able to produce low cost laptops to help educate children around the world. The laptop is called "XO Laptop". Children in third world countries who do not have access to this kind of technology will be able to benefit from this project so they will be educated. Not only will these children benefit, but it also proves that laptops can be made at a low cost and be more eco-friendly.
But despite the advances in the world of green laptops, there are still many issues that need to be addressed in order to manufacture an even more eco-friendly laptop. In the 2009, sales of laptops worldwide are expected to surpass desktop pcs for the first time ever. The average person will keep a laptop for only three years before it is tossed in the closet or tossed in the garbage, which presses the issue for an even more recyclable laptop. Some issues that still need addressed and some possible solutions:
1. Problem: The use of petroleum-filled plastic. Solution: Instead of this material, laptops can be produced with bioplastic-polymers. This type of material is also heat-resistant enough to withstand the heat produced by laptops.
2. Problem: Like any other electronic devices a laptop is dependent on electric power. Solution: Harness the power from the sun. As of today we can already see electronic devices that are powered by solar energy. This will definitely be possible with laptops.
3. Problem: Lead products in the waste. Solution: As mentioned above, the European Union has enacted legal restrictions on lead. President Bush has also followed suit with standards for American lead use.
4. Problem: Spinning hard drives. Solution: Use of flash memory hard drives. With the use of this type of hard drive, there will be no excessive usage of watts due to the moving parts of the hard drive. This helps reduce energy usage to up to 10 percent. This year, Dell has introduced a laptop that offers a 32 GB solid-state hard drive.
There are now a number of laptops that have won awards for being the most environmentally friendly. These include the XO Laptop, Lenovo Thinkpad X300, Dell D360, HP 2710p, and the Toshiba Portege R500.
About the Author:
Michael, the writer of this article is a part time blogger. He is a contributor to a laptop related blog that's constantly updated with articles about small laptops. If you find this article useful, visit his siteto find out more articles written by him. The latest laptop review on his blog currently is the Asus Eee PC 1005HA review.
0 comments:
Post a Comment