Need advice on green computer

FrederikSchack · Post by **FrederikSchack** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 5:30 am

I'm looking for a very power efficient system, primarily for everyday use and playback of music and DVD's. I do have a good understanding of hardware and would be able to build a system myself, if necessary.

My priorities are (in descending order):
1) Suitable for everyday use, Internet browsing and playback of DVD's (external/internal drive)
2) Low power consumption
3) Quiet (preferably fannless)
4) S/PDIF
5) Reasonably priced
6) Laptop

So far I've found a system called Tranquil PC (T7-M) that meets criteria 1, 2, 3 and 5. Including a 15" display it's consuming only 31W of power under full load. I think it is built upon the Via VB series motherboards, so it might have S/PDIF.

I would appreciate any recommandations on similar systems / laptops that might suit my needs.

Harddisk space isn't a major issue and I might prefer 32GB SSD over a lots-of-GB ordinary harddisk, if it's not too costly.

It would be nice with a system that supports 12V power.

Currently I have:
1) A QBic 3401 for power intensive applications
2) A very low noise Celeron sytem for everyday use that consumes 74W (idle).
3) A SyncMaster 225BW LCD that consumes 55W

FrederikSchack · Post by **FrederikSchack** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 6:23 am

Is there any site that measure and compare the power consumption of laptops?

CraftyChicken · Post by **CraftyChicken** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 7:07 am

I don't know of any sites specifically. However, if it's a notebook you are after, I'd look for anything that uses an Intel Core 2 Duo U-series processor. The "U" stands for Ultra-Low voltage, and they use the least power out of any other mobile processors you're likely to find in current retail notebooks. Check out this wikipedia article more more info.

You could also go to to a computer store and ask to test the systems using some sort of power meter, like the Kill-A-Watt Electric Usage Monitor, available for about $25.

I could help more, but I don't know exactly what your main use for this would be. Do you want a low-power desktop to use as a HTPC/general use PC? I ask because of the need for S/PDIF. Or are you looking for a notebook specifically?

FrederikSchack · Post by **FrederikSchack** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 1:45 pm

Hi Crafty,

Thanks for pointing out this U-series, I'm going to check that out.

I understand why you might be a little confused. I don't particularily need a laptop, although it would be nice if it was a laptop. My main purpose is to get a low powered general purpose computer that is also capable of playing back DVD's. It is primarily for general purpose, word processing, programming, Excel, Internet and stuff like that, no gaming.

The reason that I need S/PDIF is that my surround system is a pure digital amplifier (equibit).

FrederikSchack · Post by **FrederikSchack** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 1:55 pm

Wow, found this little sexy thing with a U7600, although it doesn't have S/PDIF.
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/06/21 ... ases_r500/

FrederikSchack · Post by **FrederikSchack** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 9:47 pm

Wow, this is something, a sub 1w processor:
http://www.ecopcreview.com/node/49

And interresting site.

Moogles · Post by **Moogles** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 9:54 pm

http://www.hushtechnologies.com/
http://www.atechfabrication.com/
http://www.mcubed-tech.com/english/index.htm
http://www.zalman.co.kr/eng/product/cod ... p?code=020

These companies all provide products similar to the Tranquil PC you mentioned. If my computing needs were more modest, I'd get a fanless Hush computer. Probably the B3 from their business line-up. Replace the HDD with a SSD and you have absolute silence combined with very little power consumption.

I don't know how much of a factor price is, but a pre-built Hush PC, or a self assembled HFX mini with a SSD is about the most elegant, silent, low power computer one can have, imo. I built a new computer 6 months ago (fairly high end gaming system that's completely going to waste) and I'm fighting the urge to get a Hush or HFX.

If I were you I'd avoid the VIA mini-ITX motherboards. Even for basic computing tasks they seem underpowered and sluggish.

FrederikSchack · Post by **FrederikSchack** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 7:36 am

Hi Moogles,

Thanks for your suggestions, however the T1300 processor alone is 27W. It seems like they have no PC with a combination of low power consumption and SPDIF.