Dell driving transition to energy-efficient LED displays

US-based computer maker Dell says that it plans to transition all of its new laptop displays to LED backlights in the next 12 months. This, says the company, will be a major achievement in its commitment to become the "greenest" technology company on the planet.

Dell estimated that at least 80 percent of its total laptop volume will be delivered with LED as the standard display backlight by the end of 2009, and 100 percent in 2010.

Jeff Clarke, senior vice president, Dell Product Group said that Dell is committed to leading the transition to energy-efficient LED technology. "As an industry, we can shape the future of green innovation and significantly reduce the carbon footprint associated with mobile computing. Our customers have made it clear that they want the greenest technology possible."

Effective December 15 this year, two-thirds of Dell Latitude™ E-Family laptops will be shipped with mercury-free LED back lighting as a standard feature. This includes the Latitude E4200, E4300, E6400, E6400 ATG and E6500. Also shipping with LED backlighting as standard will be the Dell Precision™ M2400 and M4400 mobile workstations.

In addition to being mercury-free and highly recyclable, Dell says that LED displays deliver significant energy savings compared to cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) technology.

For example, Dell's 15-inch LED displays consume an average of 43 percent less power at maximum brightness, resulting in extraordinary cost and carbon savings. The company estimates customer savings of approximately $20 million and 220 million kilowatt-hours in 2010 and 2011 combined, the equivalent of annual CO₂ emissions resulting from energy use of more than 10,000 homes.