http://green.itweek.co.uk/2007/01/vista_could_cau.html

Microsoft’s long anticipated launch of Windows Vista was somewhat overshadowed today by accusations the new operating system could result in “massive” environmental damage.

The accusations were led by Tony Roberts, chief executive of UK charity Computer Aid International, which provides refurbished second hand computers to education and social projects in the UK and developing world economies. He argued that the stiff hardware requirements needed to run Vista will force many users to upgrade or replace existing PCs that are still perfectly effective.

Excellent article discussing how Vista has made a large number of computers ‘below’ the Microsoft recommended system requirements.

What remains a challenge though is the used computer market, as long as people feel they can get some economic value out of their computer they will. Maybe if the charities took ownership, published the issues, they might get people rather than sell that 6 year old pc on ebay for £35 to give it away free.

What’s key is that the pcs are re-used or recycled environmentally, you can see online the problems that developing economies are having with our computer waste.