Yanko Design and designers Seunggi Baek and Hyerim Kim created a PC which really captured our earth-loving attention. (After all, we really love eco-friendly technology).

Unlike standard computers which need to be charged from an adapter and plugging into the wall, this one absorbs energy by being soaked in water. That’s right, just a slosh of water gets your computer back into charging mode.

It’s developed similarly to a regular PC once it is open, but basically has a cylindrical contruction fitted into a pair of rollout screens. One of these screens is meant for the keyboard, while the other screen stretches out into the monitor.

The PC charges then runs by soaking up water then using it to generate electrolysis. This occurs with the help of power that is stored in a solar heat plate installed on the top of the PC. Basically, the laptop runs on hydrogen, and, as a result, discharges oxygen in the process of charging up.

Other features include a leaf-shaped strap that is attached to one end of the Plantbook, which is made out of earth-friendly silicone. This does double duty as a hand ring, as well as a green LED, which indicates its battery life.

We think this is pretty cool, and although it isn’t available right now, we wouldn’t be surprised if it is coming available in the next couple years.

See the full design with many concept photos at Yanko Design.

Web design is no exception, and we love that more and more designers are choosing nature and eco-themes as their inspiration.

An example is CSS Nature (cssnature.org), highlighting the best in nature designs. So why are these environment designs becoming the next best in show?

I can assume its because the simple and rustic – yet flawless – designs have a homey and pleasant feel to them.

They are slick without being pretentious, and gorgeous without being over done.

What are your favourite eco-friendly websites? Any designs that you absolutely love? Post your favourites in our comments below.

The only rules? There have to be at least twenty-five pieces, it has to be done before the summer, and equipment must be packaged according to their outlined instructions.

The offer expires July 31st, and the packages must be collected by the end of August – but perfect timing, regardless, to make way for the new school year. A great offer from Apple; although only available in the US.

Check it out here to see if you’re eligible: Apple’s recycling program

Learn more about how Apple keeps it environmentally friendly here

LaserMonks, of course.

Fr. Bernard McCoy first created LaserMonks seven years ago to provide a lower-cost alternative to ink supplies that were “sinfully high”, after discovering that mark-ups were teetering up to 2000%.

Their monastery needed a form of income, and because they dedicate themselves to charitable work, they were at a point where they were looking into various new forms to fuel their finances. After starting with ink and toner, they gradually expanded their goods to select, sustainable options.

Their newest addition is their Soy-Based toner, just adding to the positive results that have already surfaced from their growing success.

They describe the toners and inks as an environmental breakthrough. “Made from renewable, environmentally-friendly soybeans, SoyPrint™ toner allows you to print greener without sacrificing cost, quality or page yield,” they describe on their website. “Every conventional petroleum-based toner cartridge replaced with SoyPrint™ represents up to two liters of oil saved, and prevents the release of harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs).”

Soy-ink printed paper is also easier to be recycled, as the grinding process does not use as much energy, and therefore, costs (both to the economy, the individual, and the environment).

In addition, all proceeds from the sale of their products benefit the Global Releaf Project, a part of American Forest, which provides education and executes program that help individuals and organizations to improve the environment by planting and caring for trees.

Visit lasermonks.com for more info about their soy-based ink solutions, but also take a moment to explore their other sustainable options, all of which are a win-win-win situation: for you, for them, and for the planet.

Image and information courtesy of LaserMonks.com

A a leader in digital consumer electronics, it’s no surprise that Samsung’s newest innovation  stores a massive 1.5 terabytes (TB). The 3.5-inch Spinpoint F2 consists of three 500GB internal disks; smaller capacities (1TB and 500GB) are available.

The lower disk count means less power is needed to start the hard drive’s motor, which equals less power to continuously spin the motor. It also has means there is a lighter head-stack, which, in turn, also takes less power to seek. The fewer heads indicate that it has a lower probability of failures, and thus, more system-friendly. The minimal energy consumption is thanks to the low-power, low-heat, low-noise Eco-Triangle. This technology is an energy efficient solution for high capacity storage.

Each  Spinpoint has a 16MB/32MB buffer memory and and 3.0 gigabytes per second (GBps) Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) interface. Samsung notes it has a capability of delivering 8.9 ms average seek time, 5.52 ms average latency and 140MB/s media to buffer transfer speed.

With additional claims that its design and make-up is 40% lower in power consumption when idle, and 45% lower in reading/writing mode, compared to their competition, this is undoubtedly the next step in preferred hard drives.

Samsung Spinpoint F2EG family of drives is currently being shipped to major OEM businesses. The 1.5TB hard disk drive is available at $149.00 MSRP.

Source: Samsung.com