Computers

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Be smart with your power and your money

Think all computers are the same?

In fact, some computers are more efficient by using less energy. Laptops or desktops labelled with the ENERGY STAR symbol consume between 30 and 60 per cent less energy than  conventional models, depending on how they are used.

Look for the label

Wondering how you can find the most energy efficient laptop or desktop computers?

Look for the ENERGY STAR label – it identifies computers that have the latest technologies and features, and are also the most energy efficient available in today's market. By choosing the most energy efficient computer, you can save money on your energy bill, year after year.

Benefits of the most energy efficient computers

When you purchase an ENERGY STAR laptop or desktop computer, you can enjoy:

• a stable and consistent network connection that prevents a loss of data while in low-power or sleep mode
• efficient operation in multiple modes (Off, Sleep and Idle)
• an energy savings of 30 to 60 per cent over a standard computer, depending on its use.

For more information, see Green Your Home section on Buying Green Electronics.

What to do with our old computers and other unwanted electronics

Return-It Electronics accepts and recycles your unwanted computers, laptops, computer monitors, TVs and other electronics, free of charge. Visit www.return-it.ca/electronics for a complete list of acceptable products and a location near you.

Purchasing a new computer? Consider these tips before you buy

Evaluate your needs: What you plan to use your computer for will help you purchase the most efficient one for your needs.

• If you plan on using the device mostly for simple tasks such as checking e-mail, surfing the Web, or watching a DVD, then take a look at netbooks, or tablet computers, which not only cost less, but have processors that use less energy. 
• If you use resource-intensive applications, such as photo editing software, then a laptop with a dual-core processor would be more appropriate.

Look for low-power components: The computer industry is starting to learn that in order to make more power-efficient computers, they need to be made with more power-efficient components.

Solid-state drives, although more expensive, consume less power than standard hard-drives. Also, look for computers with the new generation of low-power chips, since these chips consume up to half of all the power a CPU draws.

Consider the size of your monitor: A 17" monitor uses 30 per cent more energy than a 15" monitor. Look for ENERGY STAR labelled monitors as they are more energy efficient.