green computers

Cut Emissions 88% by Downloading Software

jplatt — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 08:00:00 -0400

I had to buy some new software recently, and when I did I found that I had two options: have the program shipped to me or download it directly to my computer. I chose to have it shipped. Boy, did that turn out to be the wrong decision.

According to a recent survey by Microsoft, in cooperation with Accenture and WSP Environment and Energy, downloading a single program saves the equivalent of a gallon of gas.

The savings comes not just from shipping costs, but also from the manufacture of software disks and packaging.

Microsoft initiated the study so it could visualize the impact of its Office 2007 suite. They found that 80% of their sales came from traditional retail outlets. If they could convince those 80% of buyers to download the program instead, it would be the same as taking 13,008 passenger cars off the road for one year.

The ultimate message: "Through electronic software distribution, technology companies, like Microsoft, are supporting the transition to a low-carbon economy."

So think about that the next time you need to order a program. Do you really need that CD-ROM to sit to on your shelf for the next five years, or will a simple download do the job? I'm guessing "Download Now" is going to be your best option.

Letting Your Computer Idle Costs You Money

jplatt — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 08:00:00 -0400

Do you shut your computer down when you walk away from it, or when you go home for the night? According to a new study, only half of American workers turn their computers off a night. In addition to burning electricity and adding more greenhouse gases to the atmosphere, it's estimated that this costs businesses $2.8 billion a year to power the 108 million unused machines left on every night.

Ouch.

So what are the lessons from this? First of all, turn your computer off at night or if you're going to be away from it for more than a few minutes. Anything else is wasteful.

Second, make sure your comptuer's sleep mode is activated. Most modern PCs use a lot less energy while they're "hibernating," but only if you don't turn these energy-saving features off first.

Third, if your company has a lot of computers, look into automated power-down software -- such as PC Power Down -- that will shut off all of your idle computers after the end of your business day.

Fourth, go commando! If you're leaving for the day, and you notice someone else left their computer off, turn it off for them! It could be the easiest act of environmental activism your have ever done.

Now, go turn off your PC and take a walk!

Dell to Cut 20 Million Pounds of Packaging

jplatt — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 09:00:00 -0500

I just ordered a new Dell laptop, and I was pleased to find that it came in a box barely bigger than the computer itself. This seems to tie in nicely with Dell Computers' recent announcement that it will cut its desktop and laptop packaging by 10% over the next four years, a move it says will save both 20 million pounds of packaging materials and more than $8 million.

In addition, Dell says it will increase the amount of "sustainable content" in its cushioning and corrugate packaging by 40%, and "ensure that 75% of packaging components are curbside recyclable by 2012."

Dell says its plan will help to save 150,000 trees over the next four years -- trees that that would otherwise have become cardboard packages -- and in 2009 recycle 33 million milk jugs to to become High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) thermal-formed cushions.

“We’re challenging every technology company to join us in implementing a global green packaging strategy,” said Tod Arbogast, director of Sustainable Business at Dell. “In doing so, we will drive extraordinary environmental and cost savings for our businesses and customers while setting a new efficiency model for other industries to follow.”

Let's hope they do!

HP Announces Long-Life Laptop Batteries

jplatt — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 09:47:28 -0500

HP will soon start offering a new laptop battery that will have a longer lifespan than just about any other laptop battery on the market.

The new Enviro Series batteries, manufactured by Boston-Power, can be recharged up to 1,000 times without degredation. Most rechargeable batteries lost a fraction of their capacity every time they are discharged and recharged. Boston-Power says their new batteries will stay as-new three times longer than other batteries on the market.

The lithium-ion batteries also boast a fast recharge time -- up to 80% capacity in just 30 minutes.

The batteries will be available as an upgrade on new laptops, or separately, starting in early 2009. They'll also come with a three-year warranty.

Green IT: Fujitsu Siemens Introduces Its Own Green Label

jplatt — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 09:00:00 -0500

Fujitsu Siemens Computers has unveiled a proprietary, three-star ranking system for its own computer hardware products.

The Green IT label looks at FSC's products and ranks them according to such criteria as energy efficiency, the use of toxic materials, and recyclability.

Says Fujitsu: "To achieve a green label, products must fulfill a number of crucial criteria related to production methods, materials, recycling and energy efficiency. The highest, three-star ranking is awarded only to products which fulfill extremely stringent requirements - far above and beyond what is required by law or by other current industry labels."

The labels take effect with the products Fujitsu Siemens had on the market as of last month, and already ranks 33 desktop, laptop and server products. So far, 10 products have earned one star, 16 have two stars, and seven have three stars.

Sure, this is just one more label to add to the mess of "green" labels adorning products, and it would be better for all consumers if labels like this weren't just for one manufacturer, but hey, it's great to see a company seriously ranking its own products and putting the information out there for all to see. Transparency is mighty green. Good work, Fujitsu Siemens.

Apple Introduces Its Greenest MacBook Ever

jplatt — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 09:43:20 -0400

How green is the new MacBook? Apple says the laptop computer uses "one quarter the power of a single lightbulb" when it's running. That's not too shabby.

Of course, Apple doesn't say if they mean a CFL bulb or an incandescent, but even so, the green innovations in this new MacBook are definitely worth celebrating.

Let's look at the 13-inch screen first. The computer is free of dangerous chemicals often used in monitors, like PVC, mercury, arsenic and brominated flame retardants. It also employs an LED backlit display, which uses far less energy than other LCD screens.

On the manufacturing and shipping side, the MacBook is made with fewer parts, making it easier to assemble and recycle. Packaging has been significantly reduced (by 41%!) and uses more recycled materials.

There are also several innovations on the hardware and software side that help the computer use far less electricity.

All of these innovations helped the new MacBook earn both an Energy Star rating for energy efficiency and an EPEAT Gold rating for efficiency, manufacturing processes and recyclability.

The new MacBook starts at just $1,299 -- a bit high, not bad for a pretty tricked out laptop. Worth a look.

Dell Introduces Its Greenest PC

jplatt — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 09:55:56 -0400

First announced back in May, Dell has now introduced what it calls its greenest desktop computer. The new Studio Hybrid is not only Dell's smallest-sized desktop, it's also its most energy-efficient. It uses 70% less power than "typical desktops," according to Dell, and meets EnergyStar 4.0 requirements for energy efficiency.

The device itself isn't the only green thing about the Studio Hybrid. It's packaged in 95% recyclable materials, and ships with 75% less printed documentation. You can order an optional exterior sleeve made out of bamboo (more sustainable than plastic, although it costs an extra $130!). The computer also comes with a recycling kit so you can be prepared when you replace it in a few years.

The Studio Hybrid doesn't come with many USB ports, but you can order an optional wireless keyboard and mouse for $50. (Just make sure you use rechargeable batteries in them.)

The base Studio Hybrid configuration starts at just $499 (monitor not included). More tricked-out systems run up to $1,329 or more, depending on what options you order.

The Studio Hybrid is available from Dell's web site now, and will be for sale at select retailers in the coming months.

New Lenovo Laptop Earns PC Magazine's GreenTech Seal of Approval

jplatt — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 10:04:36 -0400

I'm in the market for a new laptop, but as a responsible buyer, I want to make sure I pick a computer that uses as little energy as possible and which has been manufactured using environmentally responsible methods.

The new Lenovo ThinkPad X200 fits both of those criteria. The laptop meets Energy Star and RoHS qualifications, and gets a Silver EPEAT rating from the Green Electronics Council (which rankes energy efficiency, use of potentially toxic materials, recyclability and packaging, among other criteria).

PC Magazine tested the X200 and found more good news: its battery lasts around 6 hours, and the laptop uses just 14 watts of electricity when idle. This earned the X200 PC Magazine's "GreenTech Approved" seal.

The basic ThinkPad X200 starts shipping next month at a price of $1,199.

PC Power Management Tools Save Companies Money and Energy

jplatt — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 12:00:00 -0400

Ah, the power of the PC -- or should I say the power consumption of the PC?

The average PC uses somewhere in the range of 600kw hours of electricity per year -- more if it is left on 24/7, an error that all too many computer users make.

If just one computer uses that much energy, imagine the cost of an entire network of computers. A business could have a dozen, a hundred, a thousand or ten thousand PCs on-site. And boy do they have a combined impact on an organization's electricity bill.

Wondering what to do about this? Smart companies are installing programs that can help manage and control PC power usage throughout their networks. NightWatchman from 1E and Surveyor from Verdiem seem to be two of the most popular. Each program lets companies set building-wide policies that send PCs into standby mode when they are not being used and turn all PCs on and off at certain times of the day. Unsaved data is saved before shutdowns, so users never have anything to worry about.

1E says companies using its product can save $50 per PC per year which dramatically saving greenhouse gases. Verdiem says its product can save $20-$60 per PC per year. Both companies say their programs pay for themselves in a matter of months.

By the way, individual users don't need to wait for corporate policy to take control of their PC's power usage. You can easily change several simple settings in Windows which could cut your PC power usage as much as 50%. A great article at PC World tells you how.

Give these solutions a try. We'll all breathe just a little bit easier.