Plug in to Greener Computing
In the computer world, the last couple of years have seen many changes in basic technologies, attitudes, and approaches, as well as new organizations and initiatives aimed at greening information technologies. From the consumer point of view, the most important changes are big improvements in energy efficiency of most computer components, and improved documentation of energy consumption.
But is low power consumption all that's needed for a PC to be green? Well, no, even though most computer product advertising would have you believe it. For example, you cannot ignore simple user factors, such as turning the computer off when it's not in use or using a plug strip to eliminate the phantom loads of many computer products like printers and monitors on standby. The decision to retire an old, less energy-efficient computer and replace it with a newer, faster, more energy-efficient one is not so simple.