If you're new to the green IT market, you'll need some tips on how to find an eco-friendly computer.
Shopping for an Eco-Friendly Computer
A green PC is defined as one made of components that are completely eco-friendly. The obvious purpose of this is to reduce the use of materials that have a high environmental impact, while at the same time to develop a system which is energy efficient and runs well. So what should you look for when you’re buying a green PC?
Smaller is Better
Bear in mind that desktops consume five times more energy than laptops. These days it’s not hard to find laptops with comparable feature sets to desktops, such as video cards and dual-core processors. If you are determined to stick with a desktop computer than consider purchasing a small-form-factor model such as the Apple Mac Mini, the Dell Studio Hybrid and the HP Pavilion Slimline.
Look For Green Materials
Avoid computers that contain hazardous or toxic materials such as lead, mercury, cadmium, and flame retardants. To help you find out which manufacturers are green check out Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT). EPEAT gives out awards from bronze to gold level for computers that meet their environmentally friendly criteria. Their standards enable both consumers and manufacturers make green choices.
Remember the Energy Star
This government-backed program is helping consumers and manufacturers to protect the environment through low energy consumption. Energy Star computers now have to meet EPA standards in all three operating modes; active, standby and asleep. Energy Star-rated computers are also required to have a more efficient internal power supply than traditional computers. If all computers sold in the USA met the Energy Star requirements, greenhouse gas emissions would be reduced by the equivalent of those from 2 million cars.
Choose One with a Multi-core Processor
Many multi-core processors are up to 40 percent faster and more than 40 percent more energy-efficient than its single-core predecessor. They optimize energy consumption by powering up processor components only when they are needed.
Turning the Computer Off
After you make your decision to purchase the green computer of your dreams, make sure you turn off your computer when you’re not using it. It may seem obvious but a lot of people leave their system running all the time. Also, set the sleep mode settings so that your PC will power down if you’re taking a short break. Even more importantly, turn off the screensaver. If you think you might forget to shut down your computer, you can use something called WatchOverEnergy. This is a simple program that puts your PC in stand-by mode if you're not using it and can even shut off your monitor.