Are Netbooks Greener than Notebooks?
August 5, 2009
Netbooks are those wonderfully tiny, ultra-portable computers that are all the rage right now, beating out notebook sales in 2008 and beating their own sales in the first quarter of 2009. They’re stripped down versions of notebooks, giving users just what they need to surf the web and email, run a few programs like photo editing and word processing, upload images and watch videos.
The ability to do essentially everything we do on larger computers all on this shrunken down device sounds wonderful, but begs the question – are netbooks greener than notebooks?
1. Netbooks are smaller and use fewer materials than notebooks
The smaller size means fewer materials go into not only the making of the computer itself, but also the packaging. The lighter weight makes for a smaller carbon footprint when it comes to shipping as well.
2. Netbooks use less energy than notebooks
Netbooks typically come with 3-cell or 6-cell batteries. They require power supplies of just 30 Watts, versus the 65 Watts of notebooks. The batteries are also long lasting, considering the netbooks are made to be stripped down and ultra-efficient, often lasting 2-3 hours on a charge for 3-cell batteries and 6-7 hours on a charge for the 6-cell batteries.
3. Netbooks get us back to Less Is More thinking
Returning to devices that are simplified yet can accomplish the things we need them to without additional bells and whistles – and the associated energy consumption and carbon footprint – reminds us that, really, less is more; less bulky devices, less money spent, less consumption of materials, and thus achieve more overall satisfaction.
For more information, please visit http://www.treehugger.com/
Random Posts
Comments
Advertisement
