Every little thing helps: how to choose the least environmentally hostile laptop

Labeling a laptop as sustainable, eco-friendly, or “green”is optimistic at best. The seemingly endless cycle of updates results in a lot of waste, no matter how many environmental certifications a device gets. We have a long way to go.

But while all laptops contribute to waste, some do more or less than others. A lot of people just need a laptop, so abstaining from all that is not an option. But there are a few small victories that can be won if you take some time to consider your options.

As we close April and near the end of Earth Day celebrations, let’s quickly go over the basics of how to make sustainability a part of our laptop buying decisions.

Upgradable and maintainable

The most important thing to consider when buying a laptop with these issues in mind is upgradeability and maintainability. The more ways to upgrade your device, the longer you can go without buying a new car and turning the old one into scrap.

There are several YouTube channels and websites like iFixit that mostly review products on that basis alone. The easier it is to repair them without special tools and unnecessary waste, the higher the score.

When all else fails, you can go to Reddit or internet forums to ask existing owners what is possible and what is not.

Responsible material selection

The sad reality is that every laptop will release hazardous waste into the environment when it reaches the end of its lifespan. But some do it better than others for two reasons.

First, some of them are made from more easily recyclable materials. Components can be made from materials that are already recycled, and these in turn can be recycled instead of going to the landfill when you throw away the laptop.

Notebook manufacturers are usually quick and loud about using recyclable materials or their reliance on suppliers that have good practices. You will probably see some wording about this when you visit a laptop product page.

And again, other sources on the internet can confirm some of these claims. There are also some certification labels that give you the ability to continue working, such as the TCO certification. You can also refer to the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) for the device you are about to purchase.

Long term support

Notebook manufacturers vary greatly in the degree of long-term support they provide to customers. You should stay away from companies that do not have a good reputation for providing customer, software, online or hardware support for their products over the years.

Steer clear of those who just ship the product and essentially forget about it increases your chances of being able to hold onto that device for longer, reducing waste. Besides, it’s good for your own profit and user experience.

Most companies offer details of their product support plans on their websites. Compare and contrast to make sure you get a device that will be supported for a while. Of course, it’s probably best to stay away from the brand if you can’t find those parts at all.

In addition, this aspect is sometimes mentioned in product reviews on tech websites, including many of the reviews we publish on Ars Technica for certain product categories.

Sustainability reports

These reports are sometimes subject to external review and may in fact be an accurate reflection of a company’s progress, or lack thereof – in other words, they are not necessarily just advertising. But to be sure, go to your preferred search engine to find out how journalists and observers reacted to the published report.