Commentary: Using Low-Wattage Computers

Right now I am typing this article on a Tandy 1000 HX computer from the late 1980s. I will have to use a newer 250-watt computer to put the article online, but for now this computer is only drawing 28 watts of power. Although it can’t run Windows XP and would be rather slow on the internet, this computer is fine for word processing and a variety of other tasks
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Countless people are presently using 200-300 watt computers for tasks which could be completed just as well with an older 25-45 watt computer. Such tasks include making spreadsheets, playing some types of computer games, and using educational programs at schools (such as those used in typing classes).

While the energy saved by using a single low-wattage computer may not be great, think of the potential savings if thousands of these computers were made available for business/government employees and college students to use for such purposes. Since they would be using processors and other components which are no longer new technology, they could be manufactured quite inexpensively as well. At the same time, the low power consumption of laptop computers reveals that new desktop/tower models could also be much more efficient.

It is true that laptop computers use relatively little electricity, but they are expensive and generally not in widespread use among businesses, govt. agencies, and universities. However, the efficiency of laptops shows that even desktop/tower computers with today’s technology could be made to consume less than 100W if laptop components (except for the screen and keyboard) were used. Desktop computers with laptop components would also weigh less, take up less space, and be quieter. Energy efficiency laws mandating low energy consumption for computers would force manufacturers to use such components, possibly increasing computer prices, but saving users money on electricity and reducing the depletion of irreplaceable energy resources.

Unfortunately, older low-wattage pre-Pentium computers have been labelled “obsolete” for all purposes and long since ceased being sold. Computer manufacturers seem to be moving towards greater electricity consumption, not less, and the U.S. government is hardly taking any efforts to increase the efficiency of automobiles, let alone computers.

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