Hardware vendors can learn from eco-friendly OLPC laptop

As you may know, the goal of the OLPC project is to equip children in the developing world with rugged, low-cost laptop computers. Not only are they relatively inexpensive — around $190 a pop — but they’re quite green, partially out of necessity.

For starters, they’re highly power efficient, which they have to be, given that they’re targeted at users who don’t necessarily have ready access to an ample supply of energy. The system uses fewer than two watts, less than one tenth of what a regular laptop consumes. Adding to its power savings: The system selectively suspends operation of its CPU.

The systems also have two display modes, both of which are low-energy. There’s a transmissive, full-color mode that consumes about one watt — one seventh that of the average LCD monitor’s power consumption. The reflective, high-resolution mode, which makes it readable in direct sunlight, consumes just 0.2 watts.

Also nifty: These systems can be charged manually with a crank, a pedal, or a pull-cord. That, again, is a must for users who don’t have access to an electrical outlet.

In addition to not requiring a lot of juice, the systems are RoHS-compliant; they contain no hazardous materials. The XO’s NiMH batteries contain no toxic heavy metals, either, and they boast enhanced battery management for an extended recharge-cycle lifetime.

Finally, the systems are highly durable, designed to last five years. That’s a pretty good lifespan, another trait of a green piece of hardware.

So all in all, I’m impressed and encouraged by this system. It demonstrates that organizations can — if they put their mind to it — build inexpensive, eco-friendly systems if they’re willing to devote time and resources to them. Whereas I’m pleased the OLPC will make the systems available to students in America and Canada, I’m ambivalent for a couple of reasons. First, it’s for a limited time. Second, they’ll cost $400; part of the money will go to buying a second system for a needy student abroad.

The thing is, there are undoubtedly needy students in the U.S. and Canada who would benefit from having a computer like the XO but can’t readily afford a $400 price tag. Hopefully OLPC will give kids worldwide a chance to buy one of these systems — or perhaps other vendors out there will be inspired to do something similar.