HP updates environmental credentials for new desktops, printer

There is a spate of new products out of Hewlett-Packard this past week that ups the game when it comes to energy-efficiency and the elimination of toxic materials. Here's a quick snapshot:

• The HP All-In-One 200t series is a dual-core integrated computer (lots of different chip choices) that eliminates mercury from its 21.5-inch diagonal WLED screen and consumes less power than previous generation of this product line. It carries an EPEAT Silver certification and HP calls it the first consumer desktop design to include brominated flame retardant (BFR)/polyvinyl chloride (PVC)-free components.
• Intended for commercial customers, the HP Compaq 6005 Pro Ultra Slim system comes with an 87 percent efficient power supply, and HP describes it as the first AMD-based computer to be "BFR-PVC free from the wall to the mouse." The system makes use of AMD's Cool'n'Quiet design for improved energy efficiency.

Both of these systems come with Windows 7.

HP also has introduced a new series of LaserJet Pro P1100 printers (retail-priced from $129 to $149) that feature its Auto-On Technology. That is, the printer will be awakened from an "Off" state whenever a print job is sent. HP also has an Auto-Off technology that senses when the printer is idle and turns it off when it's not doing anything. The company figures that these two features can help up to 72 percent of the energy costs associated with using the printer, compared with the power needed to run previous generations.