Gadgets Blog

Taiwanese laptop manufacturer, ASUS’s N51V notebook computer has become the world’s first notebook to receive both Environmental Product Declaration and carbon footprint certificates.

Asus claims that it made it possible by reducing its operational carbon emissions in materials, manufacturing, using, transportation, and disposal. Moreover the ASUS N51V is an EPEAT Gold registered product for its innovative energy-saving technology that Asus calls Super Hybrid Engine which not only improves energy performance by 53.75% as compared to merely following the Energy Star standard, but also extends the battery life from 35% to 53%. The reuse, recycle and recovery rate of the N51V is at least 90%, and the recycled content in the packaging achieves at least 80%. Asus says that the laptop comes with an Air Ioniser that promotes a fresher environment for the user by helping to clean the air of allergens and germs.

The trim looking notebook is shiny black, sports a silver Asus logo in the middle and has a standard 15.6-inch, 1366×768 screen. It comes with all the features that you would expect from a medium sized laptop including three USB ports, VGA and HDMI outputs, Express Card 54, SD card reader, microphone and headphone jacks. The N51V is stacked with Windows Vista Home Premium 32-bit, 2GB RAM, 802.11n, Bluetooth and gigabit Ethernet. A single button next to the power button is used to load Asus Express Gate the Splash-top based quick loading OS when you don’t need Windows in full blast.

All in all, Asus N51V is a pretty decent buy for the price and if environmental considerations figure high in your list of priorities while making a purchase, I think you will be a happy customer.

Are you in the market for a new note/netbook?  If so, why not go for a functional sleek model that also lets you do your piece for the environment? Keep your eye out for these three beauties:

1) iUnika GYY :

This solar powered ultra light notebook that weighs just 700 gms, is made from biodegradable plastics.  The GYY runs on a 400MHz processor and on Linux with128MB of RAM and has more than 5000 free applications.  It has a 64GB solid-state drive and an 8-inch display that’s WVGA with an 800 x 480 resolution.  IUnika GYY will be available for purchase world wide next month at just 160 euros.  Gotta love the price!  Watch for it to hit the stores next month.

2) Asus Bamboo Eco Book Computer:

Asus calls it a fusion of aesthetics and engineering.  It looks so organic and clean that if one can pictorize oneself getting away from it all and sipping green tea in a remote serene Buddhist retreat, this would be the laptop that would be a perfect match for the setting.  But don’t let it’s sedate appearance fool you!  It packs quite a punch in design and performance.  Made of biodegradable and rapidly renewable bamboo (which by the way has very high tensile strength) it comes in 11.1- or 12.1-inch, 1,280 x 768 pixel displays and your choice of 3/6/9-cell batteries.  The 12.1-incher lets you have your pick of Intel T9400/P8600/P8400 Core 2 Duo processors, 256MB of NVIDIA GeForce 9300M GS graphics, a 320GB hybrid hard drive sporting 256MB of flash, and Intel’s WiMAX / WiFi Link 5100 chipset.  It also features LED backlight for lower power consumption and Asus’ Super Hybrid Engine Technology that makes for more efficient power allocation.  Moreover i think it’s pretty neat that each piece is going to be different appearance wise thanks to varying naturally ingrained bamboo patterns lending them some personality that is a welcome relief from the generic plastic laptops most of us are used to.  It retails in the US for about $1899.

3) The Modulus:

The Modulus is another very promising eco-friendly laptop designed by industrial designer Ed Boaden targeted for schools, libraries and offices.  What makes this so unique is the way it has been created to assemble and disassemble the different parts including internal components, like a child’s building block if you will.  It is said to come with a map of all the components and full instructions for the removal of all the parts which makes for efficient repairing - we would only have to pull out the individual component requiring replacement.  Also the replacement parts can be sent back in postage paid returnable packages to be recycled or re-used to lessen the load on the land fills.  It’s shape has been structured for better natural air cooling and most of the processing is done on a central server for maximum energy efficiency.  It also features many other desirable features like a hand rest designed for comfort and a choice of fun colored caps to go on top of the snap fittings.  Watch for more information to emerge after its display at the Lakeside Arts Centre University Park Nottingham UK from May 30 to June 2.

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more laptops.
Discounts on eco-friendly laptop bags.

Here’s the thing, when shopping for your system, sometimes a cheap motherboard offers a great price but is otherwise low on performance and ability.  We know this.  Fortunately, Asus has another winner for us.  Known for performance, extras, and overclocking tweakability, the Asus P5Q3 Deluxe is based on the Intel P45 chipset, combining high performance with energy efficiency.  The reviews and forums we’ve seen on this 16GB mother are resoundingly positive.  While not a “cheap” motherboard, so to speak, it’s a nicely priced unit for your home gaming PC.

Asus P5Q3 Deluxe/WiFi-AP Motherboard: $151.01

From the manufacturer:  Supports DDR3 2000 (O.C.) dual-channel memory architecture and Dual PCI Express 2.0 x16 lanes for extreme graphics performance.  It also comes with the world’s first ASUS EPU-6 engine, allowing the CPU power supply to be digitally monitored and fine tuned with improved VRM efficiency in heavy or light loadings attaining the best possible power efficiency and energy savings to help save the environment. The P5Q3 Deluxe/WiFi-AP also supports 802.11n Wi-Fi specifications onboard for faster data transfers, and ASUS Express Gate optional Linux OS bootup for instant access to the Internet in 5 seconds.

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more affordable motherboards.