With most devices you can look at the label to see how much energy they use, but that doesn't work so well with computers because the label gives the theoretical maximum, not the typical amount used. A notebook whose label or power supply says 300 watts might only use about 70 watts when it's actually running, and only 100 even in peak times with serious computing and all the drives spinning.
The bottom line is that doing what you can to cut down on the amount of energy your notebook uses makes good sense. Not only will you be helping the environment but you'll also be reducing costs where it counts to you.
HOW TO BUY A GREEN NOTEBOOK?
You can read a list of things below that you specifically look for when buying a notebook - to ensure that it saves you Money, Energy, and in turn the Environment; thus being a Green Notebook
Size of the Notebook A notebook consumes fives times less energy than a desktop. You can easily find models with powerful feature sets that stand up to desktop counterparts. In fact, most notebooks include options for dual-core processors, and some find enough space for two video cards in a Scalable Link Interface (SLI) configuration, perfect for those all-night gaming sessions.
Operating System Settings It's pretty simple to set up the power-saving options in Windows. Power consumption in Windows Vista is more adjustable than in Windows XP. Vista can adjust its performance to fit the task you're working on, boosting processing power when you're watching or editing a video, then lowering it when you're just tapping out a document.
Computer PSU (Power Supply-Unit) An initiative launched by utility companies and energy-efficiency organizations has resulted in real-world energy-saving PSUs. The voluntary certification program, known as the 80 Plus program, aims to make power supplies at least 80 percent energy-efficient. And because these energy-efficient PSUs aren't overindulging on heat-generating energy, they can also eliminate the need for a fan, resulting in a quieter, more-reliable notebook. Approximately 100 designs from almost 25 manufacturers now bear the 80 Plus label.
MultiCore Processors Designers of processors have been working to reduce power draw for years now. The Intel Core 2 Duo processor is up to 40 percent faster and more than 40 percent more energy-efficient than its single-core predecessor. It optimizes power consumption by powering up processor components only when necessary. Intel claims that its Centrino Duo notebook technology is twice as fast as previous versions, yet consumes 28 percent less power. Also very efficient are Intel's Pentium M and Celeron M processors and AMD's Turion 64 and dual-core Turion 64 X2.
Graphic Cards Video cards remain energy hogs. High-end cards easily exceed 100 watts at full load, and popular dual-card setups for gaming double that wattage. Choosing a graphics card that fits your needs is key. If you don't play advanced 3D games, go with integrated graphics for the lowest power consumption. Environmental Assessment Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) is a system to help evaluate, compare, and select notebooks based on their environmental attributes. In Europe, RoHS-compliant products intentionally exclude specific hazardous substances such as lead, mercury, hexavalent chromium, cadmium, and some brominated flame retardants.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that purchases of EPEAT computers over the next five years will reduce hazardous waste by more than 4 million pounds (the equivalent of 266 elephants), eliminate more than 1 million pounds (66 of those pachyderms) of nonhazardous waste, and save more than 200,000 megawatt hours of energy, which is enough to power 2 million homes. Final Word You must evaluate a prospective notebook's overall energy consumption by finding out how much electricity it draws when idle and at full power. The ideal for a notebook is 2 watts or less in sleep mode, and 14 to 22 watts (or even less) in idle mode, depending on the graphics configuration; or approximately five times less than a desktop. go to TOP
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