Emerging technology…who needs it?
So yeah, I know I go on kicks about putting existing green technology into products. It’s sort of one of my “things,” you could say. But seriously, why can’t I get a laptop with a pull start like EVERY CHILD IN NIUE. I mean sure, maybe I could track one down, but usually I like running Macs, and last time I checked (this morning in fact), pull starts still were not an option on their MacBookPros.
Pull-starts for all!
And to think, I though Macs were on the cutting edge and they can’t even capture a technology that’s been helping to cut grass for years.
For you negative Nellies out there, I am aware that those laptops have a much less significant power requirement than a MacBookPro, or even my MacBook, but seriously, I could just pull it more times, right?
Sure it’s funny, in an abstract sort of way, but I know I’m not the only person who thinks this could actually be not only much more energy-friendly, but useful on a day-to-day basis. I can’t count the number of times I’ve been in an airport and drained my battery working while waiting for a delayed flight, only to have to go sit by a random post, because it had the closest outlet. And ok, my computing tends to drain batteries quickly, and the laptops handed out in Nieu wouldn’t be useful to me, but there have got to be thousands of business out there who’s computing (and therefore energy) necessity does not exceed that which is provided on those laptops; email, web-conferencing, and word processing.
Incidentally, I’ve checked around (and by I, I mean TreeHugger.com), and nothing comes close to the XO Laptop in terms of energy use, and it’s mostly because there is very little processing power. But it looks awesome, (even the edges are appropriately green), has decent functionality for non power-users, and should be the paradigm that companies buy into when they look to buy their next en masse purchase of computers.
Oh yeah, did I mention they’re only $200 a pop (when you buy one get one for a child in a developing country)?
So anyway, just to clear up any confusion, my suggestion has to do with the paradigm, not the product. The technologies involved in creating the XO Laptop and making it so efficient are not applicable only in a small island nation. They could be utilized in laptop computers that I and other heavy-duty users use (the pull-start thing), or in mass lease deals with computer manufactures done by large companies. It really yanks my chain (pulls my cord?) that we don’t do the easy things that can really help.
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Comments
Katie, thanks for the link.
Josh, I would certainly agree that in the developed world there is enourmous potential in greening existing ’stuff’. However, on a global scale, I would argue (as you already know) that it is much cheaper for emerging countries to developer cleaner technology from the beginning. This is much cheaper and, under the right circumstances can actually make the countries better off.
[...] an actual yo-yo, and yes, it looks awesome. Additionally, it links back to what I was saying about utilizing existing technologies in new [...]
Hi Josh
Sounds like you’ve got your mind on green tech at the moment so I wanted to pass along this link about Sharp’s latest green efforts: http://sharpgreen.smnr.us/. I know its not really on topic with the energy efficient laptops but Sharp is striving to make all their products run on less energy and is also a company focuses on alternative energy sources. Let me know if you have any questions because I work on behalf of the company.