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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Tags: e-waste, environment, hazardous substances
For years now many of us have worked to alleviate the problem of E-Waste – the growing piles of electronic junk that either lands in our wastestream or is exported to developing countries, where improper disposal frequently exposes the local population to health and environmental risks.
But consider this – the developing world also represents a large growth market for PCs and other consumer electronics. What happens to all those products at the end of their use ? In a new study published this week in the American Chemical Society’s semi-monthly journal Environmental Science & Technology, the authors claim that developing countries will produce at least twice as much electronic waste, or e-waste, as developed countries by 2030.
Go to the study here
Tags: Green IT, TCO Certified, Third party certification
Over the past months we’ve seen several media reports of quality control problems with so-called “self certification” or “self-registration” environmental programs for electronics and appliances. In some cases products were assigned an energy rating or environmental registration without actually meeting the requirements of the programs in question. In other cases reported earlier this month, non-existent products were deliberately put through the system to test its quality control and product verification. The concerning outcome was - they passed !
As a third party certification program, we at TCO Certified have received many requests to comment on the current situation of false approvals in self-registration programs. Our opinion is that these quality assurance problems are to be expected in a system where approval relies solely on information submitted by the manufacturers themselves . For an eco-label to be a credible assurance to buyers, independent verification of product features and claims is vital. This is how the TCO certification system has worked for almost 20 years.
TCO Certified is a third party certification (Type 1), as defined by the International Standards Organization. This means that all products bearing the label have been rigorously tested by an independent lab, according to internationally accredited test methods. Savvy buyers around the world acknowledge that a Type 1 eco-label is the best possible assurance that an IT product actually meets the requirements set forth by the label and lives up to claims made by the manufacturer.
As our society focuses more on being “green”, so do product vendors and manufacturers. In almost every product or service sector, there are environmental messages and claims put forth to attract buyers. The result is confusion for buyers as they try and decide who to trust, which product claims to believe. This is another reason why third party, Type 1 eco-labels are more important than ever – providing an objective voice in making a green product choice easier.
Tags: desktop, energy saving, Green IT, IT products, TCO Certified
Today we launch the new TCO certification for desktop computers: TCO Certified Desktops 3.0. Dell’s OptiPlex 980 is the first desktop in the world to be awarded with the new TCO Certified designation for environmental and high performance design. TCO Certified Desktops 3.0 is the third and the latest TCO criteria document for desktop computers. The environmental requirements are much tougher in TCO Certified compared with the former TCO’05 Desktops. All TCO Certified products are rigorously tested by an independent laboratory for low levels of energy consumption, noise and electromagnetic emissions as well as minimal environmental impact. These high performance products are also intended to reduce the global E-waste problem as they are designed for longer life and for recycling at end of life. Dell’s achievement of TCO Certified is also a validation of their ongoing, active commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility, a key aspect of the TCO Certification.
Go to the full announcement here.
Tags: Green IT, iPad, IT products, sustainable IT
A lot of talk the past weeks has been about the iPad – the latest in Apple’s series of highly anticipated devices designed to change the way we use and interact with technology. At the recent Display Search US Flat Panel Display conference, industry leaders and analysts were labeling the iPad a success, failure and game changer – opinion really depended on who you were talking to !
People have begun asking me – “is the iPad green?”. My answer – “Compared to what ?”
Here is a product that seems to create a middle category between smart phone and Notebook PC. So, the green question can be seen in a couple of ways:
- what green attributes does the device itself feature ? In itself, energy efficiency and recyclable materials can make for an environmentally preferable product.
- Will people buy the iPad in addition to a smart phone and Notebook PC? If we are adding more products to our already extensive electronics portfolios, how sustainable is that ?
Scheduled for an April 3 launch in the US, it will be interesting to see how the iPad takes off in the market – and whether it can be part of a green ICT solution. 
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In the past week I’ve heard more about 3D than ever before. In fact, if you listen to the electronics industry experts, they will tell you that 3D is going to change the way we experience all visual media – movies, games, TV and even in-store shopping !
Last week I attended the US Flat Panel Display conference and much of the talk from industry leaders was how fast 3D will arrive on our doorsteps, in our stores an on our PCs. Add to this the blockbuster success of Avatar in 3D and the excitement is obvious. How about watching sports in 3D so it feels like you could reach out and grab the ball ? Or how about home shopping where you can almost feel the texture of the product you’re buying ? The core issue now is to make sure that quality content is available. But what about the total user experience – beyond the “reach out and touch” feeling ?
It’s those glasses ! I’ve been thinking more about this, and to me it seems like for 3D to truly make an impact in a home TV environment, we need to look at the glasses issue. Think about watching a 3D movie in a theater – it’s dark, glasses are on and you’re in the “bubble”- huge screen, no outside distractions – let’s be quiet and watch the movie. It’s actually a very personal, individual experience. TV is different. Many times when people are watching TV it’s with family or friends, it’s more interactive and it’s usually OK to have a conversation or other activities going on at the same time (well, at least it is in my house !!!) I can’t really imagine watching Wimbledon with my friends, with everyone in their private world of 3D glasses.
The good news is there are some technologies in the works that just might solve the problem, including display and TV solutions that alleviate the need for glasses all together.
Let’s see how this all develops. This is fast moving technology, so let’s see where we are in a few months.
In the meantime, send me your comments – just make them in 2D so I dont have to find the glasses 
Tags: Green IT, IT products, LCD display, USA
The annual “meeting of the minds” in the display industry will meet next week to discuss industry trends, analyze market opportunities and forecast the future of the display and TV business around the world. The annual Display Search US Flat Panel Display Conference offers manufacturers, channel partners and industry analysts the chance to explore current and future markets for display products. TCO will be there and be assured, there will be plenty of talk about Green IT solutions. Look for my blog posts direct from the conference. For more information log onto www.displaysearch.com
Tags: Government, Green IT
I noticed this video from the Local Government Channel in the UK, with a good example of how local government is making smart choices in Green ICT and how working closely together with a vendor can streamline the process. Click here to view the video.
Tags: computer display, display, Green IT, IT products, monitor
January LCD monitor production for top PC and monitor brands about 85% of the market was 12.5 M, the highest level in more than a year, as noted in the newly announced DisplaySearch Monthly Desktop Monitor Brand and OEM Production Report. Additionally, near-term production build-plans show that March could be the highest monthly production of LCD monitors on record, reaching over 12.9M.
Read the article here
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Of all the major brands launching new products during CES this year, Lenovo was clearly a standout with a range of new products, like the new Ideapad hybrid Notebook / Tablet PC and their company-wide focus on the ”reduce, reuse, recycle” theme. Check here for some interesting insights from Lenovo President Rory Read.
