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How the new MacBook Pros got EPEAT Gold rating
Apple's recent relationship with the EPEAT (Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool) environmental rating is getting even more interesting. First, we reported on Apple dropping its entire product line from the program upon realizing that the new Retina display MacBook Pro models wouldn't get the coveted Gold rating due to their almost-impossible-to-recycle glued-in batteries. Then retiring Apple VP Bob Mansfield kissed and made up with the group later in the week. Now we're finding that Apple gave the MacBook Pro with Retina display the EPEAT Gold rating ... although it doesn't merit it. Fortune's Philip Elmer-DeWitt reports that Apple put all eligible products back on the Green Electronic Council's registry, thus clearing the way for purchases by schools and governments that are required to purchase EPEAT-approved computers. However, Apple also added the Gold label to all four models of the new MacBook Pro with Retina display. Almost immediately, the Electronics TakeBack Coalition took offense with what had happened. Barbara Kyle, the National Coordinator for the ETBC said "We seriously doubt that these MacBooks should qualify for EPEAT at any level because we think they flunk two required criteria in the 'Design for End of Life' section of the standard." Those criteria include 4.3.1.3, which states that "External enclosures shall be easily removable by one person alone with commonly available tools" and 4.3.1.5, regarding "Identification and removal of components containing hazardous materials." Basically, Apple just gave itself the rating against the EPEAT criteria. An EPEAT review has not yet happened, and the group could require Apple to remove the Gold label from the MacBook Pro models in question. Elmer-DeWitt also commented on the timing of Apple's withdrawal from EPEAT, noting that the AAPL Sanity board (membership required) pointed out that the annual fee for getting on the registry and fees for all listed products -- which can be in the millions of dollars -- came due on July 1. [via The Loop]
Bob Mansfield: 'all eligible Apple products are back on EPEAT'
Here's something you don't want happening when you're trying to wrap up a career, plan a jaunt to Moorea and generally goof off while waiting for the final checks to clear: large numbers of people demanding that you change something. That's probably what one Bob Mansfield is dealing with, just weeks before he'll turn in his Apple employee badge and do... well, whatever he wants. Just six days after the company yanked its products out of EPEAT's green registry, all eligible Apple products are back. Why? Well, many cities, entities and organizations (San Francisco, we're glaring at you) won't purchase products that aren't on the list, and according to a letter from Bob (embedded in full after the break), the removal "was a mistake." He also notes that "Apple makes the most environmentally responsible products in our industry," and that no other company in this industry can say that its entire product line "exceeds the stringent ENERGY STAR 5.2 government standard." Curiously, he also states that Apple's relationship with EPEAT "has become stronger as a result of this experience," which sure makes one wonder what went down to begin with. Now, Bob -- retirement. No more emails. Focus.
Apple pulls out of EPEAT green registration, may not be able to sell computers to federal agencies
Apple has withdrawn all its laptop and desktop computers from the EPEAT environmental rating system, including older MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models. According to iFixit, who recently tore down a MacBook Pro and its retina screen, that's likely related to a design direction favoring smaller, lighter notebooks and longer battery life. Doing so required them to glue the cells to the aluminum shell, making it impossible to recycle the case and other parts -- iFixit couldn't pull the batteries out without spilling the (highly toxic) battery guts all over. Cupertino's decision means that many federal agencies might not be able to buy those products, since 95 percent of its electronics purchasing must conform to the EPEAT standard. On top of that, many educational institutions that require the certification would also need to opt out of Mac purchases, as well as large corporations like HSBC and Ford. Currently, iPhones and iPads are exempt from that certification, but considering recent ads from Apple specifically touting its conformance to EPEAT, the company might have some 'splaining to do. [Image credit: iFixit]
Dell rolls out budget, eco-minded P2210, E190S, E170S monitors
We just caught sight of one low-cost Dell monitor headed for Hong Kong a few days ago, and it looks like the company has now rolled out another three for folks over here, including the widescreen P2210 model, and the old school E190S and E170S 4:3 models. Each of those meet the usual EPEAT Gold and Energy Star requirements, and Dell also goes one step further by using halogen-free laminates and a chassis composed of 25% post-consumer recycled plastics. Of course, they'll also get the job done spec-wise, with the 22-inch widescreen model boasting a 1,680 by 1,050 resolution along with VGA, DVI and DisplayPort connections, while the 17 and 19-inch 4:3 models dial things back to 1,280 x 1,024 and VGA only. Good enough? Then you can grab any one right now for $110, $130 or $240.
Dell Vostro 410 desktop isn't ashamed of its greenness
Dell's been squarely situated on the green bandwagon for years now, and just as it did with the OptiPlex 755, Round Rock is making quite a fuss about the all new Vostro 410 desktop. The mini-tower features Intel's Core 2 Quad processors, an optional 512MB NVIDIA GeForce 8800GT, room for four internal hard drives / six PCIe or PCI cards, gigabit Ethernet, up to 4GB of RAM, dual-layer DVD burner and a rather run-of-the-mill port assortment. Potentially best of all, however, isn't the 47-percent energy savings it's purported to deliver -- oh no, it's the complete absence of bloatware, as Dell looks to fit the machine "with only the software you want" for your business. Check it out now in North / South America and the UK starting at $599, while Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa will have access before the end of next week.
Lenovo rolls out five new ThinkVision LCDs
It looks like five is the magic number today, with now Lenovo now following up Viewsonic's latest batch of projectors with five new ThinkVision LCD monitors. Leading the pack is the 19-inch L190x, which is apparently the first monitor to be rated EPEAT Gold. That rating is based on 51 different environmental criteria, of which the L193p had to meet all 23 required criteria as well as at least 20 of EPEAT's 28 optional criteria. Apart from that notable bragging right, however, the monitor looks to be pretty standard fare, with it boasting a 1280 x 1024 resolution, an 800:1 contrast ratio, and 5 ms response time, among other common specs. The other stand-out model in the line-up is the 19-inch L190x which, according to Lenovo, features the "slimmest bezel in the industry at just 6.6 millimeters." Rounding out the lot are three entirely no-frills models, including the 15-inch L151, 17-inch L171, and the 19-inch L194. Look for all five to be available next month, with prices ranging from $199 to $379.[Via Pocket-lint]
