Dell unveils green PC

Dell has introduced two new energy-efficient series of desktop PCs for the corporate environment, states PC Mag.

The Optiplex 960 series is a business-performance line of desktop PCs for enterprise customers, and the Optiplex FX160 series is a new line of thin clients with flexible configurations for the corporate shop.

The 960 and FX160 series computers benefit from an 88% efficient power supply, recycling efforts, Dell QuietKit and carbon offset programmes.

Responding to what they see as customer demand for environmentally friendly products, American Express and US Bank have introduced payment cards that aim to help the planet, says Creditcards.com.

AmEx has partnered with retail property firm Macerich for the Give Green gift card. For each gift card purchased, Macerich will donate $0.70 of the $2.95 purchase fee to American Forests, the oldest non-profit citizen conservation organisation in the US.

Meanwhile, US Bank has introduced a biodegradable PVC Voyager commercial fleet card. Fleet cards are used by corporations and other groups managing multiple vehicles. The biodegradable PVC product decomposes within five years when placed in soil, water or compost. In addition, the product performs within all standard card parameters and has a standard shelf life, says the bank.

The Consortium for School Networking (COSN) will provide tools to help US schools reduce their carbon footprint by conserving energy and reducing waste, while at the same time saving money, according to eSchool News.

The organisation's IT Crisis Preparedness Initiative will help school technology leaders ready their schools and districts for a potential crisis and will feature solutions for dealing with a disaster and protecting valuable data and IT infrastructure.

COSN believes growing concerns over the effects of greenhouse gases, the safe disposal of electronic waste, and the need to conserve funding are forcing schools to address green computing issues as a matter of conscience, budget, and political values.