How
much computer power is saved using nettops? What are the
considerations of using a nettops computer? What operations are not
suitable for nettop computers? What are other efficient computer
options?
Netbook Computer Advantages
- Low power consumption.
- Light weight.
- Less heat generation. This also lowers building cooling requirements and costs.
- Less fan noise.
- They can be placed on the back of the LCD screen freeing up valuable desk space.
- Lower purchase cost compared to desktop computers.
- The can work as a virtual computer client to extend performance
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Netbook Computer Power Usage Comparison
Sample
Thin Client, Nettop, Desktop and Raspberry Pi3 Computer Comparison
| Computer Type |
Thin Client |
Nettop |
Desktop |
Rasberry Pi 3 |
power supply
in watts |
13 |
65 |
365 |
12.5 |
| processor |
NetClient 400MHz |
Intel C220 |
Intel Core 2 Duo |
ARMv8 quad core |
| storage |
2 MB flash |
160 GB |
160 GB |
8 GB+ micro SD card |
| memory |
64 MB |
1 GB |
2 GB |
1 GB |
| size mm |
153 x 100 x 23 |
222 × 178 × 27 |
447 x 177 x 452 |
85 x 57 x 17 |
| weight kg |
0.5 |
1 |
12 |
0.07 |
Year power consumption at
50% load, 40 hours / week |
14 kWh |
68 kWh |
380 kWh |
13 kWh |
| Year electricity cost at $0.20/kWh |
$2.70 |
$13.52 |
$75.92 |
$2.59 |
Power
supply rating is a maximum. Expect actual average consumption to be
less than 50% of power supply rating.
Thin clients require connection to a server providing a virtual
machine. Server can provide for approximately 40 thin clients per CPU.
A two quad core CPU server can provide for 320 thin clients. A 16 blade
server with dual quad core CPU blades can provide for 5120 thin clients.
Nettop Computer Considerations
- Use
nettops for data collection, media serving, web browsing, email,
office applications, software as a service connection, virtual cloud
computing connection, point of sales systems, computer labs etc.
-
How many applications are expected to run simultaneously. Keep in mind the memory constraints and single processor.
- Will the computer connect to a large company network. This will influence what operating systems to choose. E.g. Linux or Windows 7.
Other Efficient Computer Power Options
-
Netbook computers used instead of notebooks. These use low power processors like Atom in a smaller portable size.
Nettop Computer Saving Article
- Turn on computer power management on existing computers.
- Advanced Thin Clients and Nettops can be used for VOIP telephony functions.
- Using virtual computer connections can extend the application and processing possibilities for nettop computers.
- Software as a
service applications provided by remote cloud computing can allow for
specialized applications using an Internet connection and little local
processing requirements.
Raspberry Pi 3 Computer Information
- Raspberry Pi 3 is supplied as a circuit board. You need to buy a plastic case. There are Vesa cases for the back of a monitor.
- The power supply is Micro USB. 2 to 3 Amps. A tablet power supply is sufficient.
- Storage is via a Micro SD card. E.g. 8, 16, 32, 64, 128 GB. More storage can be added via USB ports.
- There are 4 USB ports for keyboard and mouse etc.
- Networking can be via Ethernet or WiFi. This can also provide access to cloud storage.
- Display is via a HDMI connector. Modern televisions use this connector.
- The operating system is either Linux or Windows 10 Core. There are Linux versions for media centre, Internet of Things etc.