The New Green Apple Notebooks

The following is taken from Apple's website. Many of you ask what machines are the best. I have worked on PCs using Windows servers for many years, networking, IT and everything in between. But I stand firm behind Apple products. They are fantastic. Apple offers great software that is user friendly and attractive. As well as productive and cutting edge. So when you are looking to purchase your next machine, think Apple.

When we designed the new MacBook, our designers and engineers set a goal of making not only the greenest notebook Apple ever produced, but the greenest family of notebooks. So every new MacBook has been built using materials that are highly recyclable and free of many of the harmful substances present in other computers. Apple engineers also designed the software and hardware to work together, in order to maximize energy efficiency and minimize the carbon footprint of the MacBook. Even the packaging was reconsidered and reduced, producing smaller boxes to ship and less material to recycle. The result is exactly what we hoped for: the greenest family of notebooks ever made.

Many harmful toxins eliminated.

Apple has worked hard to eliminate many of the toxins that are a common part of notebook manufacturing. Take, for example, the mercury used in CCFL backlights and the arsenic contained in the glass of traditional LCD displays. Apple engineers removed both by choosing mercury-free LED technology and arsenic-free glass. They also removed brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) from circuit boards, internal cables, connectors, insulators, shock mounts, adhesives, and more. Apple has removed these toxins from MacBook computers, and we’ve done the same for the Apple LED Cinema Display, iPod touch, iPod classic, iPod nano, and iPhone 3G.

Highly recyclable.

The MacBook precision unibody enclosure is formed from a single piece of solid, recyclable aluminum, replacing dozens of extraneous parts. The display is made of recyclable glass. Both materials are very desirable to recyclers, which means the raw materials used in the new MacBook computers can be reused in other products.

More energy efficient.

Because Apple makes both the hardware and the software for the MacBook, we are able to design them to work together. This allows us to make a smarter product that uses less electricity, earning it ENERGY STAR certification. For instance, to reduce energy consumption, the MacBook hard drive spins down automatically when inactive. The MacBook also decides which processor — CPU or GPU — is best suited to efficiently perform a task. The processor even throttles down to save power between keystrokes as you type. The LED-backlit display in the MacBook is another feature that plays an important part in conserving energy, consuming 30 percent less power than conventional LCD displays. And the display is designed to dim when you enter a darkened room. Together, these adjustments make the MacBook family much more energy efficient. In fact, our most popular notebook, the MacBook, can run on just one-quarter the power of a single lightbulb.

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Spring Flinging 2009

Spring is upon us, and soon we will be seeing an ocean of color splashed across our region in the form of blooms. Flowers are used for many things from a simple arrangement in a jar on your kitchen table for a bit of color, to weddings celebrating the love between two embarking on their new life journey.

Every year brings new trends with it, and of course 2009 holds no exception. For those of us who believe minimal is more and take inspiration from nature, this is our year! This years’ floral theme is “Go Green”, following suit with the rest of the industries out there. But this doesn’t mean all arrangements have to be green per-se, it really means just not going over board, try not to put so many different things in each piece, and really just keep designs simple!

Everyone has an artistic side, and fresh-cut-flowers are an easy and fun way to start exploring it, especially with the trends of this season. One of the styles is going monochromatic, using subtle colors like shades of greens, tranquil creams, and shades of light blues with muted purples. You can also do bolder designs if that better suits your personality, with fuchsias, pinks, plums and oranges.

If you like a natural look, groupings of green Kermit poms with green spider mums and jade roses or green antherium is a great look. Adding mossy branches or curly willow for height stays in that natural realm. You could even go with birds nests, vines or mushrooms down low for added interest. Adding a combination of different kinds of greenery such as lemon leaf, tree fern or safari sunset adds texture. A wonderful way to build this arrangement is in your hand like a bouquet before placing it in a container. Hold the flowers, varying the heights and mixing the blooms, until it is pleasing to your eye, then cut the bottom of the stems even so that when it is placed in your holder it is already arranged. You don’t need a fancy vase for this. An old mason jar, pitcher, watering can, or even a terra cotta pot dotted with moss will look great and earthy!

If you like the minimal look, but your personality is a little bolder, I suggest going with the brighter flowers. Pairing together fuchsia gerbera daisies with orange tulips and mini calla lilies in light pink or plum is a dramatic statement. You wouldn’t even need to add any greenery to an arrangement like this because the flowers speak for themselves! You can place these in an old vase you have lying around the house and then drape it with a piece of bright sheer fabric or a colorful cloth napkin to jazz it up!

I hope these ideas help bring out your artistic side and sprinkle a bit of color into your life and home! It’s fun and everyone can be an artist. If you have any questions, comments, or would like to consult with me, feel free to leave me a comment with your contact information, and I will gladly be back in touch with you soon. Happy designing!