24-05-2014, 10:12 AM
Seven sustainable computer concepts for green computing
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1. Compaq EOS sustainable desktop
This compact desktop PC, designed by Cody Stonerock, seems to finally allude to its name “Compaq”! Completely made from recycled aluminum and bio degradable resins by HP, the PC has been made specially for the low cost desktop market. All the components fit in as modules. There are no screws or fasteners in this system. All the modules just snap fit into each other. Though the PC features a few components and only a basic computing power, it is really high on the ‘green’ level and has an almost nil carbon footprint. The modular design also makes it very easy for the user to separate the defective component and ship it back to the company. These components are then recycled by the company. The keyboard attaches magnetically behind the monitor for easy storage.
2. Igglu modular PC concept
This concept looks like a modern book rack. Though it is actually a PC, updating it is as easy as replacing books in a shelf! Surprised? Here, the hard drives, optical drives, PCl drives, graphics cards and the RAM are all located as ‘books’ on this ‘bookshelf’ PC. Whenever you want to modernize or upgrade a component, simply take it off the ‘shelf’ and add the new one. The old component is sent back to the company for recycling. The Igglu, thus, is an improvement over the previous concept in the fact that, it can be upgraded into an advanced PC also. The PC has been color coded for ease of replacements. It is also designed for maximum energy efficiency and resource usage.
3. ‘Bento’ solar-powered concept computing system
With synergy, seamlessness and sustainability as the watchwords, a US-based product designer has come up with the new concept for a computing system. What you see is the 15-inch OLED screen display and docking space for a notebook, a smartphone and a tablet PC. Each of these are run by Li ion batteries which get recharged by solar power. The computing systems come integrated with solar panels and a 1TB hard drive. Like the previous concept, it is built in the modular form and can be easily upgraded. The solar charging is an added advantage. The stored content can be transferred by simply docking two storage units together.
Sustainable computer ‘Froot’
The Froot was submitted as an entry by designer Paulina Carlos for the DELL Regeneration Green Computing Technology Contest. This concept goes one more notch above all the previous concepts examined till now. Bio degradable starch-based polymers constitute the ‘main frame’ and can be recycled along with the electrical components that are part of it. But here is the unique aspect; the Froot uses high-end laser and projecting technology to beam a screen on the wall and a keyboard in front of you! The ‘light’ keyboard acts like a normal keyboard and the screen can be projected on any material. Thus, the need for a separate screen and keyboard is also eliminated while the ergonomics of the same are not.