Bamboo Computer Monitors
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 04.27.06
What next? First it was the bamboo iPod case, followed by the bamboo keyboard, then came along the bamboo mouse. And now monitors have caught the grass fever too. Apparently due for release in the UK very soon, through www.playengine.co.uk, the monitors will come in 3 configurations: 15, 17 and 19 inch (£250, £275 and £330 respectively). Strangely the bamboo is treated for rot resistance, which might hinder its biodegradable properties, when it comes time to retire it. (Wholesale versions of a similar thing can be seen at Alibaba.) via Virgin Technology News.
I don't know... Maybe if they painted it... But in either case I'm all for the cause. I give props.
The Professor is going to be pretty pissed that someone stole his monitor.. "Gilligan!! where's the professors monitor, lil' buddy?"
sorrry, couldn't resis. but seriously. I would love to see alternative comparisons mayeb frmo mbdc or someone someday, where we can find out if this treated laminated bamboo has benefits from the manufacturing side, and frmo the biodegardeable side, cause petty soon we'll be looking at a row of PLA, hempPlastic, Bamboo... monitors, tower cases, et cetera.. so what to chose if you want ths lightest footprint and a small lifecycle? need help.
Any geek will tell you: A monitor that's not rot resistant is worthless. If my computer started to rot every time I spilled something on it, I'd go through about one a month.
It's worth mentioning that this appears to be just a bamboo bezel for the monitor. If you've ever taken an LCD apart, you'll realize that the environmental issues are not with the bezel, but with the process used to create the LCD screen itself. A little plastic for the bezel just isn't a big deal, compared to manufacturing what is essentially a microhip with 108+ square inches of surface area.
It's also worth mentioning, though, that this process seems to me to be a winner over CRTs - a CRT is a big vacuum tube, and (from the tinkering I've done from them) really hard and energy-intensive to manufacture. An LCD seems like it would be less energy-intensive to manufacture (not necessarily easier, though), and it *certainly* uses less energy and requires less air-conditioning in a computer-room. Don't forget that for any big computer-installation (more than about 15 computers in a room), and heat produced has to be carried away by air conditioning year-round (at least in the mid-atlantic climate). LCDs are clearly a winner, no matter what the bezel is made of.
It looks really cool and would make my home-office more pleasing to the eye. Too bad my existing LCD is in great shape and will continue to work fine for years to come!
"Any geek will tell you: A monitor that's not rot resistant is worthless."
Unless you are constantly dumping gallons of coffee or jolt or Dew per day on your monitor, rot-resistance is overkill. However, if you happen to surfing the net while in the Amazon, perhaps it is necessary.
What a breath of fresh air! Now these are for the girls, can't wait to get my hands on one. It's about time we had a choice from the plastic grey and black surround that sticks out like a sore thumb. Combining nature with technology - very cool!
Looks OK to me. I go through a computer every 3 years. I like the idea, but don't know much about bamboo or global warming. :)
Looks OK to me. I go through a computer every 3 years. I like the idea, but don't know much about bamboo or global warming. :)