HOBI Weekly Blog Recap (9/18-9/21)
Change is in the air for IT asset management and disposition. ISRI’s Project Reboot for holiday driven electronics recycling and now the proposal of a universal laptop charger have been making waves.
Why the need for a universal laptop charger?
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) estimates that e-waste from computers and other electronics devices comes to more than 500,000 tons each year.
Unlike smartphones and tablets, nearly every laptop charger has some sort of variation. With the decline in PC and laptop sales due to tablets and other mobile devices, laptops are becoming more of an expendable electronic. The hope with a universal laptop charger is that consumers will be less likely to toss away used laptops just because the charger stopped working. Universal chargers will cut the hassle for consumers while significantly reducing the amount of e-waste related to power supplies.
The hold-up?
Don’t jump the gun just yet, not everyone is on board with this idea. Charger design is a selling point for some manufactures, making the switch to a universal version unappealing. Also, for the obvious fact that not all laptops and notebooks are built the same, the technical realities make this dream a long way from being attainable.
The image below displays a few different models of laptop chargers, but certainly doesn’t do much justice to the spectrum of design variation.
As an IT asset management and disposition provider, HOBI International certainly hopes this idea comes to life. A universal laptop charger is just another major stepping stone in the war on e-waste.
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