Advice on choosing and buying a desktop computer (CPU, hard disk)
What will you be using your notebook for?
Have a think about just how powerful you need your computer to be. If you’re not going to be using applications with heavy graphics or calculations, you’ll often find a standard computer is sufficient, without the most powerful processor and the biggest memory. Using a computer overdimensioned for what you need it to do is a complete waste of energy and places an unnecessary burden on our climate.
Connections
How many USB outputs do you need? Nowadays, USBs are used for more and more peripherals such as headsets, USB drives, etc.. Check that there are enough ports for your needs, and that they’re easy to access. TCO-labelled computers always have at least one USB output on the front of the computer TCO Certified.
Twin monitor outputs?
A lot of people have discovered the benefits of using multiple monitors for their computers. Studies have shown that people can achieve up to 30% more efficiency if they use two monitors. But to do this, you need twin outputs on your computer. However, do remember to turn off one of the monitors when you’re not using it so that you can save power.
Is your computer environmentally friendly?
- There are lots of demands to be made, stating that computers and their packaging have to be free from harmful heavy metals and flame retardants, have low power consumption or be prepared for recycling, as well as being produced by a manufacturer that holds environmental accreditation. One easy way to make sure that a large number of environmental requirements are met is to buy a TCO-labelled computer.
Green IT = climate-smart usage
Green IT has become a common concept nowadays, and for many people it means much the same thing as energy-efficient products.
TCO Development has been working on Green IT issues for 20 years now, and in our view Green IT involves so many more things that it’s important to remember in order to produce "Green IT" or "climate-smart IT" products.
Apart from the performance of the actual product in terms of power consumption and the amount of recycled material, for example, how the computer is actually used is one of the most vital aspects. Functions that must be present include genuinely being able to activate the energy saving functions required by TCO labelling. Shutting down your computer completely when you’re not using it and dropping off end-of-life products for recycling are just two of the most important aspects for users to bear in mind, besides choosing ecolabelled products in the first place. Find out more in our report: Your computer and the climate (PDF) Find out about TCO Development’s definition of Green IT (PDF)
What are applications?
Applications are a kind of software that fulfil a specific purpose for the user. Applications may be useful software such as word processing software, communications software such as e-mail clients and browsers, or leisure software such as computer games and media players. This term is normally used as meaning the opposite of – for example – operating system and programming and administration tools.
What is RAM?
This is the computer’s fast memory; unlike the hard disk, which is slow. All programs on a computer use a certain amount of memory, and when you have a lot of programs running at the same time and there’s no more memory left, the computer starts to use the hard disk instead. That’s when things really start to run slowly. If you want to use a lot of big programs, you should have a lot of RAM. Specifications for programs and Windows state how much memory they use.
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