Mac mini tops power efficiency ratings
updated 04:10 pm EST, Fri November 27, 2009
Apple praised for eco efforts
Apple's Mac mini has taken the lead in a comparison of in-use power efficiency, according to data gathered by Sust-it. The survey includes over 100 systems, with the 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo-equipped Mini holding the top two positions with either a 120GB or 320GB hard drive.
The survey rated the 2.0GHz Minis at a power consumption level of 49.4 kWh per year. The 2.26GHz variant falls in right behind, beating out the Asus Eee Box and Fujitsu Futro S550 which integrate less powerful 1.6GHz and 1.0GHz CPUs, respectively.
Interestingly enough, Apple's Mac Pro desktops dominated the bottom end of the rankings. The configuration with two 2.66GHz Intel Quad Core Xeon CPUs was estimated to consume 770.8 kWh of power each year.
"There's a staggering difference between the energy consumption of computers in the marketplace; you could save nearly £150 per year on electricity in choosing the most efficient models," said Ross from Sust-it.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jul 2003
Things have changed
I used to put bags of frozen peas on top of my G3 mini to keep it from melting. Now I warm my hands on my iMac. And I could cook my hands on last gen laptops in stores when they were idle. That's why I won't buy one.
Fill up the drives, run some graphics and we'll see the real efficiency ratings. These home iHeaters must use more than the specs.