Going for the Green: Gifts that Give Back

Nov. 2, 2007 — -- Technology typically makes a positive impact on our lives; it saves us time and energy and keeps us well entertained. Unfortunately, the gadgets we love often have a negative impact on our environment. But it doesn't have to be that way. Here are some green gift ideas that you can feel good about giving this holiday season.

Click here to read about more cool gifts for the holidays.

Apple has responded to the public's demand for environmental responsibility and designed their latest signature all-in-one iMac (20-inch starts at $1199; 24-inch starts at $1799) with the planet's future in mind.

Besides being ultra powerful (it has the latest Intel Core 2 Duo chips) and looking ultra sleek, the iMac features recyclable and highly durable materials, including scratch-resistant glass and an anodized aluminum shell. The screen's trim one-inch profile is achieved by using flat-panel displays that eliminate two pounds of lead and consume 80 percent less energy than traditional CRT monitors.

Every iMac comes with a built in Web cam, which allows users to have more long distance face time without the need for gas-guzzling travel. The power-efficient and highly recyclable iMac also meets the stringent new Energy Star 4.0 requirements.

What else would you expect from a company that counts Al Gore as one of their board members?

More than a desk lamp, energy-efficient"leaf' ($500), which is built from recyclable parts, is a work of art. When people see it they can't keep their hands off it, so it's a good thing that the 20 LEDs that produce the light sit below an intelligent heat sink that keeps the aluminum outer skin touchable.

The bulbs use eight watts of energy (40 percent less than fluorescent desk bulbs) and run for 100,000 hours, or eight times longer than the lifespan of conventional bulbs.

The base of the lamp is cool, not just to the touch but stylistically. The subtle backlit Herman Miller logo gently powers the lamp on and off. A series of invisible sliders built beneath the cover control the light's brightness and temperature.