Dell teamed up with Intel and created a new laptop Concept Luna. The key objective is to make future PCs easier to repair, reuse, and recycle. The company said it could reduce a computer’s carbon footprint by up to 50% compared to current laptop models if it incorporated all the design ideas. A key feature of Concept Luna is the redesigned components and a new, more efficient layout. The motherboard is 75% smaller at just 5,580 square millimeters and has a 20% lower component count. So, everything is rearranged with the motherboard close to the top cover to expose it to a larger cooling area. It’s also separated from the battery charging unit in the base to allow better passive cooling to eliminate the need for a fan.
Dell issued a statement and said, “Extra efficiencies have the ability to reduce power requirements to allow the designers to use a smaller battery with deep-cycle cells that offer a long charge that can be maintained across many years of use. It would increase refurbishment and reuse beyond the first product life it services”. Dell designers used less energy-intensive materials on top of making the design more power-efficient that are easier to recycle. The aluminum body was processed using hydropower and a more efficient stamped construction. The company also reduced the number of screws by tenfold, with just four needed to access internal components. It not just reduces material count, but repair time to disassemble, repair, and reassemble key components by around 1.5 hours.
Other features of Concept Luna include a palm rest that’s easy to repair and reuse, a keyboard mechanism that can be easily separated for replacement & recycling, and a bio-based PCB (printed circuit board) made with flax fiber in the base and water-soluble polymer as glue. Dell also said that the flax fiber replaces traditional plastic laminates and the water-soluble polymer can dissolve, to make easier recycling. However, Concept Luna is far from the first green laptop concept. Framework recently demonstrated an easy-to-repair laptop with features like removable ports and components that are labeled so you can repair it yourself. Dell might not be the most-loved PC manufacturer in terms of customer service, but it frequently tops corporate charts for environmentally-friendly initiatives. The company is creating a concept for easy-to-fix and more recyclable PCs is a solid step toward reducing plastic waste and pollution in the PC industry.
