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Choosing a computer

Some computer manufacturers are designing their computers to be easily dissembled, or are taking responsibility of the end of life cycle of computers, and looking at issues concerning recycling or the reusing the equipment.

Ensure that your system has EnergyStar features, and that you learn how to enable them.

Specify What you Want

Buy a system that suits your needs – don’t buy features that you won’t use. {Contact the Consumers Institute for more information}.

Make sure you can UPGRADE your Computer

To avoid waste and get the most from your outlay, make sure you know:

  • Which parts can be upgraded or expanded, memory, disk space etc?
  • How easy is it to access the components for repair or an upgrade?
  • Compact computers e.g. laptops often have limited upgrade options and can be costly to repair than desktop models. However they do use a lot less energy, and produce a lot less heat, which means less energy for cooling.
  • If the rechargeable battery in laptop computer no longer holds its charge, it may benefit from a rejuvenation process developed by Millennium Batteries.

Check Warranties and Service Support

Check out warranty and service support offers and also find out about charges on replacement parts after the warranty has expired. An extended warranty, if available, can be a sound investment.

Which Manufacturer?

The Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition conducts an annual survey of computer manufacturers and publishes a report card. The report card analyses the information on the web-sites of computer companies to compare and measure the environmental qualities of electronic equipment and the environmental performance of companies. Grading environmental performance is also intended to encourage brand-name firms to place information concerning various attributes of corporate "clean and green" responsibility on their web-sites, thereby allowing consumers to make more informed decisions.

In the 2001 Report Card the top manufacturers, based on their activities in the United States, were:

1. Canon

2. Toshiba

3. IBM

4. Fujitsu

5. Sony

6. NEC

7. Hewlett - Packard

8. Brother

9. Apple

For more information on the issues and evaluation criteria used visit www.svtc.org.

Buying Second-hand computers

You may be able to buy what you want for half the price. But once again, do your homework.

Reusing Disks and CDs

Old floppy disks, which otherwise might be called waste can be wiped and reformatted for reuse.


Last updated at 7:45pm on 12 June 2002

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