'Green machine' in the works from PC World

Retailer PC World claims it is working on the world's most energy-efficient and environmentally friendly PC, based partly on recycled components.

The high street chain has announced it is planning to develop a PC that would make use of recycled and energy efficient components. It said: "Components will be selected for their efficiency and low energy consumption."

However, details of how the machine will be manufactured are scant. One of the few facts to emerge is that the PC's operating system will apparently be the recently released Windows Vista.

Vista has been roundly criticised by technologists and environmental campaigners alike for the fact it will require more expensive and powerful hardware to run optimally.

A spokesman for the Green Party suggested the choice of Vista for a so-called 'green machine' could be a mistake, and called on retailers to offer more PCs without Windows pre-installed.

The Green Party spokesman said: "It would be a good thing if PC World was to offer operating systems other than Vista. XP, or no operating system pre-installed at all would be ideal."

PC World did not respond in time for this article but Microsoft recently defended the environmental impact of Vista, claiming it takes green issues extremely seriously.

Microsoft director of government affairs, Matt Lambert, said the company was doing its best to improve its environmental standing. "Environmental issues are important to us all and we believe we are making important steps towards reducing the environmental footprint of our products and the hardware on which they run," he said.

Lambert added that Microsoft is happy to meet with the Green Party to discuss its environmental record.

Andrew Donoghue writes for ZDNet UK