By Jaymi Heimbuch
Santa Maria, CA, USA | Tue Nov 04 11:10:00 EST 2008
Your old desktop computer is upgraded to the max and still processing at a snail's pace: time for a new, mean green machine. Technology is one place where sustainable design is growing by leaps and bounds. You may want to do your own research, as often the folks at the local big-box computer store don’t know much about the environmental features, other than what trims your electric bill: energy efficiency. While energy efficiency is certainly something to keep in mind, a green computer is the sum of its eco-friendly parts. Some desktops with excellent energy savings include the Fulwood from VeryPC, Shuttle's X27, and CherryPal's C114. However, there are manufacturers who are doing far more to make sure that their desktops have the smallest footprints possible. That includes packaging, materials, energy efficiency, and more.
It should also be noted that desktop computers, when compared to laptops, are generally cheaper with a longer shelf life.
We've taken the bigger picture into account with the five desktop computers listed here.
Why We Like It: The Studio Hybrid uses about 70% less energy than a standard desktop computer, meets Energy Star 4.0 standards, and is practically pocket-sized, at about 80% smaller than typical desktops. Packaging is made of 95% recycled materials and options include a sleek bamboo shell.
Nice Touch: With your purchase, you can plant a tree. Plus, Dell as a company has very high green standards.
Where: Dell Computers
How Much: Starts at $500
Read More: TreeHugger
Why We Like It: The power-sipping Mac Mini uses roughly 80% less energy than your average desktop, a feat that earned it a highly-coveted EPEAT Silver from the Green Electronics Council. It's also 90% recyclable.
Nice Touch: At only 6.5 inches square and 2 inches tall, it packs a powerful punch while taking up hardly any room.
Where: Apple, Inc
How Much: Starts at $600
Read More: TreeHugger
Why We Like It: Despite its cumbersome name, the ThinkCentre consumes roughly 60% less energy than the average desktop and has earned EPEAT Gold and Energy Star 4.0 ratings. Both packaging and the machine are made of 90% recyclable materials.
Nice Touch: Upgrading the internal hard drive (therefore extending the lifetime of the whole computer) is stress-free, thanks to its standard size.
Where: Lenovo
How Much: Starts at $844
Read More: TreeHugger
Why We Like It: The Zonbu Desktop Mini trades a hard drive for cloud computing, which stores data online. That means very little energy is required to run this quiet, fan-free computer. It has also earned EPEAT Gold and Energy star 4.0 ratings.
Nice Touch: Zonbu purchases carbon offsets so that your computer is essentially carbon neutral.
Where: Zonbu
How Much: Starts at $99, plus a $15 monthly subscription for the online network and storage
Read More: TreeHugger
Why We Like It: This small desktop PC is highly customizable, which means it won’t be outdated in two seconds. It has Energy Star and EPEAT Gold ratings, and 87% efficient power supply configurations are available.
Nice Touch: Hewlett-Packard gets a green star for clever packaging—here it is 90% recyclable—and the computer itself is made of 90% recyclable materials.
Where: HP Compaq
How Much: Starts at $719
Read More: EPEAT
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