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Control-Alt-Recycle

Posted by michael on from the computers-go-out-tuesdays-in-the-blue-bags dept.

klevin writes "Grist magazine's running an article on what to look for when the old PC's running out of gas and you want to avoid trashing the environment even further. Their suggestions include: upgrade instead of replacing, go for LCD monitors instead of CRTs and, if replacing, reuse the old one as an MP3 server on your home network."

3 of 334 comments (clear)

  1. sheesh by Quasar1999 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Donate them to a charity. An MP3 server is really a waste of energy. I mean, come on... why not simply donate the pc to some charity that can give them to those less fortunate folks who could use them, and who don't need a P4 3.4ghz system to use email, do homework, and balance their checkbook...

    --

    ---
    Programming is like sex... Make one mistake and support it the rest of your life.
  2. CRTs vs. LCDs, Lifespan by phishtrader · · Score: 5, Insightful

    One issue I see with choosing LCD panels over CRT displays is that of lifespan. It's not uncommon for a CRT to outlive it's "useful" lifespan. I've acquired several older CRTs this way from my previous employer.

    15" CRTs that were deemed too small for desktop use, old-skool 21" CRTs that had too much screen curvature and were simply too big compared to newer 19" and 21" CRTs (that were also a fraction of the cost). All of these CRTs are four to eight years old and still functioning.

    Comparing this with what my experience has been with LCD panels is that they have failure rates higher than that of CRTs. I've seen this mostly with notebook screens. This comparision isn't entirely fair, as notebooks receive considerablly more abuse than a desktop+CRT. However, LCD panels have backlights (usually a miniature florescent bulb) that will burn out eventually. On notebooks, these backlights are integrated into the panel itself and are not replaceable parts by themselves. I don't know if this is the case with desktop LCD panels, but I suspect it is.

    So the question is, how does using LCD panels vs. CRTs really impact the environment considering failure rates and manufacturing defects?

  3. Re:LCDs have a fatal flaw though by csirac · · Score: 5, Insightful
    Working as tech in a PC shop that sells LCDs, I have to say I've only seen three LCDs returned in the last 12 months. One developed a faulty PSU (repaired) and the other two were for pixel defects, shortly after original sale.

    And these LCDs aren't exactly Llyama or Sony displays either - try cheap Acer/BenQ/LGe.

    Then again, I'm not on the sales/warranty returns and LCD sales have only picked up in the last 18 months in my area so I may have yet to see all the caveats.

    As far as developing faults are concerned, LCDs seem to either work fine or not work at all.

    Cheap CRTs, on the other hand, especially large ones, love to get cracked PCBs or imploded tubes when moving house. Also, they run hotter with higher voltages, and the repairs seem to be more involved; HV circuitry collapses, power supplies die, OSDs go crazy, HO transistor dies, caps dry up, diodes go open circuit, dry joints cause intermittent faults, temperature related problems, picture becomes distorted/washed out/unfocused...

    Cheap LCDs are a lot nicer to pack up and send back for repair. Packing up a cheap 19" CRT is quite costly compared to sending back a LCD, or motherboard or HDD...

    As far as useability is concerned, it seems most offices we're fitting out would disagree with you. A cheap LCD is much better on the eyes IMHO than a cheap CRT. Cheap, nasty, half-working CRTs that some employess put up with are particulary worse than any LCD.

    - Paul