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The iameco DR4 Laptop (image owned and provided by iameco)
Ireland based company, iameco (read as I Am Eco), is best known for the efforts in manufacturing energy efficient, sustainable and eco-friendly computers and accessories. Their latest device, the iameco DR4 laptop, is the first genuine eco-friendly, touchscreen computer built with zero-toxic materials and is configured with impressive high-performing machinery.
In collaboration with the Fraunhofer Institute in Berlin, Taiwan’s GAIA in the Basque Country, AUO Optronics and the University of Limerick in Ireland, the eco-friendly device was developed.
While developing the new laptop, the design team kept in mind the following goals:
- achieve a decrease of at least 30 percent in greenhouse gas emissions
- at least 70 percent of overall re-use and recycling of waste
- a reduction of at least 75 percent of fresh water utilization
The team was able to achieve all of these goals by using recycled wood for the casing, recycled paper and cardboard for packaging and reusable OEM electronic components such as motherboards, cables, RAM modules and power supplies.
While a truly ‘green’ laptop sounds ideal, many are wondering how practical such a device really is. When it comes to longevity and lifecycle, iameco claims the device can last three times longer than the traditional setup, counting up to ten years.
The laptop is encased in boxes made of natural timber including maple, beech and ash. The company added that as the wood matures with age, the appearance will also refine.
The design team created the device’s modular design so that over the course of time if any of the components wear out, they can easy be replaced. In addition, the company eliminated all toxic materials used in the usual computer production process like heavy metals including lead, mercury and cadmium and harmful chemicals like brominated flame retardants and PVCs. The goal was to create a device that could help in the fight against rising e-waste amounts, an issue that is quickly becoming a global crisis. Additionally, the iameco laptop utilizes one-third energy than the standard computer design, though featuring similar high-performance capacities.
Internally, the laptop is equipped with a Universal Motherboard that supports Intel Core Duo Processor – Intel i3, Intel i5 and Intel i7. It runs on either Windows 7 or Windows 8 operating system.
Integrating a 15.6-inch LCD screen and 256 MB PCI Express graphics card, the eco-friendly computer is powerful enough for 3D gameplay. It also embeds 2+ GB Green DDR 30nm memory and supports SSD hard drive of size 400+ GB.
The wooden laptop also has a dual-layered DVD Re/Writer, one USB 3 port, three USB 2 ports, a web camera and features HDMI connection. At the same time, the in-house Lithium-ion battery features an elongated life cycle of more than 900 charges.
Meanwhile, iameco’s v.3 touchscreen computer is the first electronic device to obtain “the EU Eco Flower certification,” the rigorous environmental standard. The company also designs other computer accessories such as keyboards and mouse, made out of sustainable timber.
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