Radiator will be 'world's greenest PC'

 

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By Barry Collins

Posted on 14 Jun 2007 at 09:50

PC World has unveiled the first details of the systems it claims will earn it the 'world's greenest PC' crown.

The retail chain will produce two carbon-neutral systems: a standalone PC with a unique radiator-style chassis and an all-in-one PC with integrated screen.

The standalone PC's casing is made of recycled aluminium, steel and plastic. It will be sold with monitors cased in recycled plastic or wood, or separately without a screen.

The company says the PC's unusual design will allow the system to dissipate heat without the need for a power-hungry fan. 'The casing will look like a radiator from a central heating system and will have the same function,' says PC World's international buying director, Jean-Pierre van Tiel. 'It is a completely re-engineered type of chassis - the heat is being radiated by the chassis itself. You're certainly not going to burn your fingers, but it will be a little hotter than the PC today.'

To help cut down on transport emissions, the PC will be assembled in the UK - although all the components will have to be imported from Asia. However, PC World claims it will fully compensate for the environmental impact of the system's manufacture. 'We'll offset the costs of producing the PC by using a carbon offset, which would be a clean development mechanism in a non-Kyoto country,' says Peter Lyons, buying director of own brand products at PC World. 'Instead of based on planting trees, it would be on a robust alternative energy programme that qualified for a proper carbon credit under the Kyoto agreement.'

PC World even took a swipe at companies such as Dell, which allow customers to pay for trees to be planted to counter their products' carbon footprint. 'It's comparative to giving money to the homeless in the street. They are not really being helped by it, but you feel a little better. Trees have to live for 99 years to offset the CO2 emissions,' he claims.

Power cuts

The radiator PC will boast a modest power consumption of just 40-55 watts, even with a screen. 'A typical PC will use between 200-300 Watts. That's already quite a saving,' says van Tiel. 'A typical PC will use, in a year, around £40 of electricity. This PC will be between £12-£15.'

There are fewer details on the all-in-one PC, but it will also be made from the same materials, will use low-powered notebook components and an external power adaptor.

PC World claims it will throw its full marketing weight behind both products, which it aims to have in stores by the end of the year. 'We're going to make a big play of this. It's going to be a green Christmas as far as we're concerned,' van Tiel adds.

The standalone PC will sell for £599 with monitor, or £499 without. Pricing is still to be decided for the all-in-one.