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If you’re like me, the tablet PC has become your must-have device on the go. I go everywhere with it and definitely feel like something’s missing when I leave it at home. One question I get asked a lot is whether the tablet is about to replace the PC. The short answer is – not yet. While tablet technology is moving at a rapid pace, we are not at the point yet where tablets can deliver the same power, functionality and features offered by a conventional notebook PC. That’s why the most common use of the tablet is as a complement to the PC.
Some of the differences between tablets and notebooks are one reason we launched our new certification for tablets – TCO Certified Tablets.
The nature and use of tablets is reflected in the criteria of TCO Certified Tablets: high brightness (great for outdoor readability), efficient battery charging, outstanding image quality for example. Along with criteria for social responsibility and environmental design, a TCO Certified tablet offers a sustainable choice.
Tags: Green AV, Sustainable AV
Just back from the inaugural GovComm event in Washington, DC. Focusing on communications systems and AV for government, GovComm also marked the official launch of the InfoComm STEP program for sustainable AV systems. STEP is a great complement to Sustainable Building efforts and ensures that not only the building itself is built in a sustainable way, but that the IT and AV systems installed are integrated into the facility’s sustainability objectives. TCO Certified is proud to be recommended for all display and projector purchases in STEP. The Step Foundation is also actively seeking pilot projects where the STEP rating system will be used. Funding is available -more information available from The STEP Foundation.
Here’s a snapshop video of TCO Certified at GovComm, by rAVe publications
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Today we go live with TCO Certified Tablets – our first certification for Tablet PCs ! We’re also proud to announce that the Samsung Series 7 Slate is the first tablet to achieve the certification. You can check out full details about the launch and the program in our press room.
Tags: computer display, computers, e-waste, Green IT, Recycled plastic, TCO Certified Edge
Imagine if all computer monitors contained 65% post consumer recycled plastic. Five years from now, the industry would have reduced carbon emissions by approximately 860 million kg and saved energy corresponding to that used to fuel 280 000 cars a year. Not to mention the prevention of toxic e-waste !
Judging by some of the products we’ve been certifying in recent weeks, we may be making some moves toward that goal.
Incorporating recycled plastic content into ICT products has been a tough challenge for manufacturers. Despite good intentions, a lack of reliable sources of high quality materials at required volumes has been one of the major hurdles to including recycled content in our PC products. But this week we’ve been able to present several displays from Phillips and All in One computers by Lenovo with our TCO Certified Edge award for featuring a high percentage of post consumer recycled content. Check the newsletter or searchable database for full details.
Tags: Green IT, tablet, TCO Certified
If you already use a tablet, you know how convenient, easy to use and totally portable it is. If you’re like me, you don’t go anywhere without it ! But how sustainable are they ? We’ve got a lot of users asking about the usability, design and environmental issues associated with tablets over the last months. So we’re excited about today’s launch of our draft TCO Certified Tablets criteria – the world’s first eco-label criteria exclusively for tablets.
Tablet PCs are currently among the fastest growing trends in electronics. Growth estimates put the tablet market from an estimated 10.3 million consumers in 2010 to 208 million users by 2014.
Consumers and business users are moving to tablets for their ease of use, portability and flexibility of use through a rapidly developing “app” environment. While tablets have been primarily marketed to consumers, professional users or “prosumers” are expected to adopt tablet technology in greater numbers in the next few years, particularly in retail, health care, finance and education settings. In 2011 an estimated 25% of tablets will be purchased for business use, double the amount seen in 2010. This number is expected to rise dramatically along with continued growth in the consumer segment.
We want to hear from you ! Our criteria draft is open for comment until October 17, so send us your comments as a manufacturer, user or sustainability professional. After the comment period we will go live with the final specifications and be open for testing and the first TCO Certified Tablets !
Tags: audiovisual, AV, Projectors, sustainability, TCO Certified Projectors 1.0
Sustainability is now making inroads in the Audio-Visual space – great news from an area where product performance has traditionally outweighed environmental issues. TCO Certified has now been recognized by InfoComm International’s new sustainability rating system for AV installations –STEP (Sustainability Technology Environments Program). As part of the program, TCO Certified projectors and monitors will be recommended for pro AV equipment purchases.
STEP will promote sustainable practices by the associations’ members and their customers. The rating system will be a tool for owners and technology providers to plan for and implement sustainable practices in their technology projects. By recommending TCO Certified products as part of STEP, buyers and installers can be assured they are choosing products designed for the environment, as well as high performance.
Soren Enholm, CEO of TCO Development, comments: “We are honored and excited to see TCO Certified as a recommendation in the STEP program. The TCO Certified eco-label offers the Pro AV community useful guidance in the selection of projection equipment designed for sustainability as well as optimal image quality. By choosing TCO Certified projectors and monitors, users can be assured of a product that delivers both high performance and sustainable design.”
Allen Weidman, sustainability officer, InfoComm International and executive director of the STEP Foundation comments: “InfoComm is delighted to include the TCO Certified designation as a tool for identifying sustainable technology products. The STEP program is dedicated to promoting existing sustainability designations that have been vetted and accepted by consumers.”
Tags: environment, Green IT, sustainability
So we’re all reading about companies, communities and households becoming “greener” – which is a good thing of course, right ? But after attending last weeks State of Green Business Forum hosted by GreenBiz, it seems like more companies and governments are now taking a step further to incorporate “green” into every element of their core business and bottom line results. The idea of “green” or “environment” as a stand-alone entity is fading while each aspect of the business works to implement more sustainable practices in their everyday operations.
We heard from Nike’s Lorrie Vogel on how a design initiative based on PET bottles resulted in Nike’s best ever soccer jersey. Bob Langert of McDonalds discussed how minor reductions in materials use in napkins and straws led to huge savings on transport and distribution costs. City of Chicago’s Commissioner for Environment, Suzanne Malec-McKenna was also a passionate advocate for how “green” is now one aspect contributing to the overall success of every city-wide initiative: housing, office energy consumption and education for example. It seems like the concept of “Green Business” is evolving to where sustainable practices are determining bottom line results.
Tags: 3D, Adroid, CES, Consumer Electronics Show, cross talk, digital signage, glasses-free 3D, high performance, iPad, sweet spot, tablet, Viewsonic Veiwpad, visual experience
January each year brings with it the customary glimpse into the future of consumer electronics at the annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. As in recent years, the focus at CES2011 was on handheld devices, connectivity and the high performance visual experience. The most striking trend was the dominance of the tablet , with many PC and monitor brands now offering the handheld devices intended to rival the iPad. In fact you might even consider this year’s CES as the event about a product (the iPad) that wasn’t even there!
One brand entering this new space is Viewsonic– known for its high performance monitors and projectors – who launched the Viewsonic Viewpad at this year’s event. The Viewpad gained a lot of attention, especially in the smaller form factors that are proving particularly popular in Asia. Operating on the Android system, the Viewpad was one of several similar solutions intended to capture some of the growing tablet space. All in one PCs were also a strong category this year, with Lenovo showcasing it’s latest AIO offerings which are proving a success in education and finance markets in particular.
Attendees were also curious about 3D, especially considering the technology offerings haven’t come as far as expected in the past couple of years. Toshiba was one company who showed the possible future of glasses-free 3D at CES. The experience is great at a number of “sweet spots” in certain angles in front of the TV. If you move too much out of your viewing position you notice a shadow in the image known as “cross talk” and then, if you continue the move, you arrive in another “sweet spot” with good 3D picture. At the moment this is still very expensive products but it is the future of 3D and we can expect to see these products on the market during next year. Glasses-free 3D is necessary if this technology is to be used for digital signage.
Tags: ergonomics, sustainability, USA
At first glance, the annual North American ErgoExpo is a showcase for the latest in ergonomic office furniture: space age seating, curvy keyboards and mice that are basically an extension of your hand – all designed to help us feel good and be more productive. But this year, a trend topic was incorporating Ergonomics, Health & Safety into the broader concept of Sustainability. Leading edge companies that are already implementing green practices such as energy saving, recycling, and responsible purchasing as well as ergonomics are now asking “What about the bigger picture – combining these elements to create a Sustainable Enterprise?”
While the concept of Sustainability is well entrenched in parts of Europe, North American organizations are now beginning to engage in an effort to build truly sustainable organizations– combining areas of environment, health & safety, energy, social responsibility and financial goals into a single effort that goes beyond green. In the building sector, companies are looking at how the tenants of a building and their comfort, wellbeing and productivity are actually increasing the environmental performance of the building itself, which is why the LEED system for building design now offers credits for ergonomics as part of the overall design.
How is your company moving from Green to Sustainable?
Look for more posts from me on sustainability. In the meantime you can find more about ErgoExpo at www.ergoexpo.com
Tags: All in One, Lenovo, TCO Certified
Lenovo Pushes the Boundaries of Sustainable Design with TCO Certified Green IT Products – Leads PC Makers for Portfolio Breadth of TCO Certified Edge Products
With a growing portfolio of environmentally-responsible PCs, worldwide PC maker Lenovo is widely recognized as a leader in sustainable product design – without compromising user demands for performance and cutting edge features. As verification, Lenovo has chosen the TCO Certified label as an international third party assurance of achievements. Lenovo is now taking
- The Lenovo M90z all in one desktop
its environmental commitment a step further with the recent release of the ThinkCentre M90z all-in-one desktop. TCO awarded the M90z the prestigious new TCO Certified Edge designation for its cutting edge eco- design, particularly by incorporating high amounts of post consumer recycled materials. TCO Certified Edge awards leading products that are pushing the boundaries of sustainability and high performance.
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