Laptop Dance

Umbra on choosing a laptop 4

Dear Umbra,

I am buying a new laptop, and I was wondering if all computers are the same energy-wise, or if some brands are better for the environment?

Aviva Horrow
Philadelphia, Pa.

Dearest Aviva,

You're already off to a good start, as laptops consume far less energy than desktop machines -- we're talking over 50 percent less.

Thin is in.

Photo: iStockPhoto.

Computer manufacturers have three opportunities to earn their environmental stripes: during a machine's manufacture, use, and disposal. From what I've read, the worst environmental legacy of computers will be toxic waste, rather than energy consumption. (Not to sneer at energy consumption issues, natch.) What we want to be able to start looking for in our computer choices is responsible manufacture and responsible end-of-life stewardship. We don't quite seem to be there yet, but take heart: think about the time lag between onset of chemical agriculture and onset of the organics label.

I'll start with the easiest category, which is energy consumption during use. The gummint's Energy Star program includes computers. It's not the most cutting-edge program, but it is pretty good. Once you buy a machine, you can conserve by turning it completely off when you are not using it. Be sure to also use whatever "energy saver" settings are available so that it sleeps when you pause for a while. Do not use the incorrectly named "screen savers," and do not believe people who claim that restarting your computer uses more energy than leaving it on. It is not true.

Manufacture and disposal are a bit harder to suss. As previously discussed by yours truly, small electronic gizmos are built from useful but toxic materials. Lead solder, mercury switches, beryllium something-or-others, brominated flame retardants, PVC ... manufacturers set out to make an effective, economical machine, and these are the resultant materials which, unfortunately, surround us in our homes. Remember, we asked for it.

The future of computer fabrication from an environmental standpoint includes designing machines that can be upgraded by part replacement rather than wholesale junking, can be easily taken apart at reclamation sites, and, of course, contain less-toxic materials when possible. We need to be sure that these toxics do not end up in landfills, but are instead reclaimed. When you are shopping, you could decide to purposefully support a manufacturer with an end-of-life takeback policy, which is also starting to adjust production techniques. I had a hard time finding an easy ranking of manufacturers on this front. The best I can do for you is my previous column on computer recycling, and a report from the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition from a few years back. Better than nothing!

Remember, you are basically breaking new consumer ground here. When you make your choice, let the company know why you chose them, and send letters to a few other manufacturers to let them know why they lost out. Every letter makes a small dent in everyone's indifference to this issue.

Motherboardly,
Umbra

 

Yours is to wonder why, hers is to answer (or try). Send your green-living questions to Umbra.

Umbra Fisk is Grist Research Associate II, Hardcover and Periodicals Unit, floors 2B-4B.

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  1. ianf Posted 12:01 am
    19 Jan 2006

    buy only what you need, & battery powerIf you are looking for a good metric for an enviro friendly laptop, I recommend looking at battery life. This will encourage you to buy a less powerful processor, (which is rarely needed) and pay less for a laptop that will last longer without being plugged in. For most of us, computers are massively over-engineered for our needs, and use more energy as a result. (If you edit video, then maybe you should look at a desktop.)

    Personally I own a 2000 apple ibook, and if I was looking to buy now, I would recommend waiting for the upcoming ibook replacements from Apple/intel as an inexpensive, low power machine that will last a few years. If you must buy windows then look for a laptop that can take additional RAM memory (1-2GB ceiling), as this RAM Ceiling is quite likely to be the constraint that makes your laptop obsolete in the future, especially with a new version of Windows out next year.

    My 2c.

    Ian.

    Permalink

  2. LauraC Posted 3:02 am
    19 Jan 2006

    But wait, there's more!I also recommend buying a machine that does double, triple or quadruple duty. Your computer can take the place of your stereo, dvd player, slide projector, file cabinet, tivo and tv. It can even replace your shredder, since all good environmentalists pay their bills online and have opted out of paper junk mail lists. All this equipment really adds up the electricity usage. I've outlined some more hints on eco-electronics purchasing in a blog entry here:

    http://www.urbanecoinc.com/wordpress1/index.php/639
    It includes links to manufacturer's statements on the environment so you can determine who's naughty and who's nice.

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  3. MsChancy Posted 12:03 am
    20 Jan 2006

    shutting downI've heard from numerous electrical engineers (my husband is one of them) that powering on and off electronics wears out the components....kinda like a light bulb. They never pop when the lights on. They always pop when you first turn on the light. Anyways, so it's always been recommended to me to use the sleep feature on the computer....don't shut it down unless you're not using it for days at a time or you're going out of town. I think this would make more sense then always shutting it off since the shut down wears out the components and then you'd have to buy a new one sooner and create more toxic waste. Anyone heard anything similiar?

    Permalink

  4. Chris Schults Posted 12:36 am
    20 Jan 2006

    Just Ask UmbraMsChancy:
    Have you consulted Umbra? I believe she might have answered this question.

    Permalink

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