Asus shows off bamboo-clad 'eco' laptop
Wood-n't you want one too?
Now, laptop maker Asus is well known for its willingness to bring all sorts of hi-tech compounds into the manufacture of its notebook computers, but it hasn't ignored more traditional materials. It's already released a leather-clad laptop and has now begun touting what it claims is the world's first bamboo computer.
Asus' EcoBook: wood-n't you want one?
Called the EcoBook, this concept notebook is clearly pitched at the greener consumer and all those folk who fancy a wind-powered mobile phone charger to pitch on top of their teepees.
Like the leather machine, the EcoBook is built out of all the usual plastic and metal materials - all "environmentally friendly [and] recyclable", Asus pledged - but equipped with a bamboo veneer.
Asus calls this a "bionic design concept" - not, as we first thought, a reference to the Six Million Dollar Man, but the laptop's use of "bio-degradable materials for the outer shell", which later "decomposes and becomes part of life's endless cycle".
Asus' EcoBook: peddling life's endless cycle
Florid hyperbole aside, we think the bamboo EcoBook looks rather good. In fact, we can't wait to get our hands on one. But we're not sure we can quite sat the same for Asus' other bio concept: a paper-covered laptop. Specifically, recycled paper, giving it the distinct impression it's been made out of old eggboxes...
Asus' eggbox EcoBook: worth shelling out for?
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More picture of the Asus EcoBook on the next page
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COMMENTS
You can judge an eco-computer by its cover... but that comes into it as well!
Your reader's comments are a mixed bag of truths and misconceptions..
A woode laptop case and mouse as long as it made from certified, renewable forsts is definitely more ecological than plastic or metal alternatives... This can be measured in a number of ways, such as energy consumption in production, brominated flame retardants used in plastic, PVC's that are toxic, and so on.
However, no computer can claim to ecological unless the insides can be subject to the same or equivalent evaluation. The problem is that there are bery few ways of establishing overall econological performance. There are evaluation programmes (labels) that meadure energy preformace only (energy star) but leave out toxic substances, electromagnetic emmissions, noise, and life-extension (PC's thata re obsolete n three years can hardly be called ecological).
The only standard we have been able to identify which has overall coverage and independent (not industry-based) assessment if the European Eco-Label for PC's. This label which carried the authoritity of EC commissioned expersts has been treated with contempt by most commercial PC manufactures, who have ignored it.
MicroPro, an SME based in Dubin, committed to genuine ecological standards, has form some eays been involved in the development of a PC that meets thse standards. It is called the iameco (www.iameco.com) and is currently being tested for the comprehensive Eco-Label. When it secures it it will be the 1st computer to achieve this comprehensive standard, a true eco-computer.
Fire proof!
Bamboo doesn't combust as easily, so you're bound to get a few more hours battery life out of the laptops before they explode violently.
Oh hang on, that's bad. . . . .
dont judge the notebook by its cover
... if they were promoting this by its design/look good on them, they do look fairly smart) --- but to claim environmental responsibility is ridiculous (as has been proven by all the comments above!)
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