Green computers

Is that a tree on your desk, or a computer? 

MicroPro Computers have a biodegradable PC named iameco, pronounced “I am eco”.  With bodies, keyboard casings and mice out of recycled wood, the computers are praised for their environmental friendliness.  The company also designs the zero-waste computers so that they can be easily upgraded rather than replaced.

The popular iMac desktop is another good example. It supplies the same service using one-tenth of the materials and energy required. The current iMacs weigh half as much as their colourful originals and use one-sixteenth of the power of the first model, just 2.2 watts when asleep. Happily, it contains only 0.6 grams of lead as opposed to the 484 grams of the bulky original.

Apple’s new line of Macbooks are also one of the most energy efficient models on the market. In all, it now uses one-quarter the power of a single light bulb. The computer is free from mercury, arsenic, PVC and brominated flame retardant and almost completely recyclable.

Not to be out-done by Apple, Dell has unveiled a bamboo computer. The Dell is around 80 percent smaller than a standard mini-tower desktop, and consumes 70 percent less energy.

Want to know if your computer measures up? Check out EPEAT’s online assessment tool. EPEAT (short for Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool) allows consumers to compare computers based on their environmental friendliness.