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Thread: Question re: destop vs. notebook computers and the environment.

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    Default Question re: destop vs. notebook computers and the environment.

    After reading Melonie's comments re: upstream & downstream environmental effects of various products, I have a question.

    I know I've read somewhere, around 3-5 years ago, that notebook computers require 4 to 6 times the amount of resources required to manufacture a desktop computer. But notebooks use much less electricity than a desktop over the lifetime of the system. Although I'm not sure how replacing the CRT monitor of a desktop with an LCD monitor affects the environment, other than the LCD using less electricity. And with regard to the notebooks, of course, the proper disposal of batteries.

    My question is does anyone know if the above numbers still hold true today? That is, does it still require 4 to 6 times the amount of resources to manufacture a notebook vs. a desktop?
    Last edited by PhaedrusZ; 03-16-2007 at 09:44 AM. Reason: Removed duplicate sentence

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    Default Re: Question re: destop vs. notebook computers and the environment.

    Great question!

    I would very much like to see some factual data on that as well. I wonder if we have any enviromental or computer specialist around who could answer it for us?
    Last edited by T-10; 03-16-2007 at 09:28 AM.

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    Default Re: Question re: destop vs. notebook computers and the environment.

    today's chipsets offer about a 2:1 power consumption advantage to laptops. However, you're talking about something like 10 watts versus 5 watts. As far as LCD monitors vs built in laptop LCD screens, full sized hard drives versus compact hard drives used in laptops etc there is a minor advantage in favor of laptops. If there is a major difference in overall power consumption, it is due to the use of several fans in your typical tower case which can add another 20+ watts, versus a super-tiny fan or no fan at all in a laptop.

    However, the apples to apples comparison starts to get sketchy when one starts adding extra boards to the tower case for high quality sound / multiple CD drives / specialized game controllers or a long list of possible accessories. Since these boards are destined to go in a tower case, usually no effort is made to conserve power. On the other hand, PCMCIA cards for laptops must be very power efficient in order for them to fit / survive in the tiny slot.

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    Default Re: Question re: destop vs. notebook computers and the environment.

    Quote Originally Posted by Melonie View Post
    today's chipsets offer about a 2:1 power consumption advantage to laptops. However, you're talking about something like 10 watts versus 5 watts. As far as LCD monitors vs built in laptop LCD screens, full sized hard drives versus compact hard drives used in laptops etc there is a minor advantage in favor of laptops. If there is a major difference in overall power consumption, it is due to the use of several fans in your typical tower case which can add another 20+ watts, versus a super-tiny fan or no fan at all in a laptop...
    The most interesting variation on this right now, at least from what I've seen so far, is the Apple Mac mini. Since it is essentially a desktop built from notebook parts, minus the LCD screen of the notebook. The originally Mac mini, again from some website I can't recall, was listed as drawing approximately 22 watts when running, plus the wattage of whatever monitor you have attached. It was listed as drawing 30 watts if you were watching a DVD, which keeps the motor of the DVD drive spinning. When the design of the Mac mini was changed from the G4 CPU to the Dual-core Intel CPU, the included external "power brick" was quietly increased in capacity from 85 watts to, iirc, 110 watts.

    I'm mostly interested in trade-offs here, since re: the environment, trade-offs will have to be made with computer design and manufacture, whether or not any of us happen to agree with which trade-offs are chosen. And the environmental design trade-offs will apply to many other products as well, whether you're on the left, the right, or in-between, politically speaking.

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