Netbook Computer Power Savings
How much computer power is saved using netbooks? What are the
considerations of using a netbook computer? What operations are not
suitable for netbook computers? What are other efficient computer
options?
Netbook Computer Advantages
- Low power consumption
- Light weight
- More portable computing power
- Less fan noise
- Some models can perform a full business day on batteries alone
- Lower purchase cost compared to desktop or laptop computers
- Netbook can also be used to connect to cloud computing to extend capabilities
- Netbook can work as a virtual computer client accessing much more processing power
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Netbook Computer Power Usage Comparison
Sample
Netbook and Notebook Computer Comparison
| Screen
Size |
7
inches
netbook |
9
inches
netbook |
10
inches
netbook |
12
inches
netbook |
15
inch notebook |
power
supply
in watts |
20 |
36 |
36 |
30 |
90 |
| resolution |
800 x
480 |
1024
x 600 |
1024
x 600 |
1280
x 800 |
1366
x 768 |
| processor |
Celeron |
Atom |
Atom |
Atom |
Core
2 Duo |
| storage |
8 GB
Flash |
160 GB |
160 GB |
80 GB |
320 GB |
| memory |
512 MB |
1 GB |
1 GB |
1 GB |
4 GB |
| size
mm |
225 x
160 x 32 |
225 x
170 x 32 |
266 x
191 x 38 |
300 x
230 x 28 |
375 x
244 x 26 |
| weight
kg |
0.92 |
1.13 |
1.45 |
1.25 |
2.64 |
Year power consumption at
50% load, 40 hours / week |
21 kWh |
38 kWh |
38 kWh |
32 kWh |
94 kWh |
| Year
electricity cost at $0.20/kWh |
$4.16 |
$7.50 |
$7.50 |
$6.24 |
$18.72 |
Power
supply rating is a maximum. Expect actual average consumption to be
less than 50% of power supply rating. Power rating partly relates to
the size of the
batteries in use.
Netbook
Computer Considerations
- Use an
external monitor for higher screen resolution like 1024 x 768 and
larger screens.
- How many
applications are expected to run simultaneously. Keep
in mind the memory constraints and single processor.
- Does
your applications work with the computer screen resolution.
- What is
the maximum time away from mains power that the netbook must function.
- Will the
computer connect to a large company network. This will influence what
operating systems to choose. E.g. Linux or Windows 7.
- Use
netbooks for data collection, media serving, web browsing, email,
office applications, software as a service connection, virtual cloud
computing connection,
Online storage connection etc.
- Solid
state drive options are faster, use less energy and tougher in a
fall.
- LED back
lit screens use less energy than cold cathode lighting.
Other
Efficient Computer Power Options
- Nettop
computers used instead of desktops. These use similar low power
processors like Atom in a small desktop enclosure. Nettop Computer Power Saving Article
- Use thin
clients connected to a server. These have a power consumption of less
than 15 watts on average and have no moving parts.
- Turn on
computer power management on existing computers.
- Using a netbook
connected to mains power is slightly more efficient than from
batteries. Battery charging involves some energy losses.