From Red to Green: Are Hot Notebooks Cool?

Posted on October 19th, 2006 in notebooks and laptops, ergonomics, health and wellness, energy, environment, computers and internet by Thomas

Much like the first Americans who experienced nuclear power, or a TV set in their home, the health repercussions of computers are not entirely known. It is a sobering thought that those who have spent their lives bathed in the glow of their monitors may find themselves decades from now in poor health, with conditions caused from any number of harmful from their desktops, whether chemical or electromagnetic.

The Hot Topic

Like stilted houses on hurricane coasts, laptops of today seem to be climbing higher and higher off of workspaces in dorm rooms, offices and coffee shops. The “hot” issue with laptops is exactly this. Batteries in laptops run hot; sometimes so hot that they can cause the computer to shut down, that is, if the user can still handle the keys. As a result, these notebook computers are being hefted higher and higher off of their desks. Sometimes this is done with proper stands and other times with books or coasters, either way it is meant to allow for proper heat ventilation.

A recent report by Stephen H. Wildstrom on Business Week Online sheds more light as to why exactly most laptops run so hot. According to the article, the problem lies with the lithium ion batteries nestled inside of most modern laptops. Lithium ion batteries are great because they generate enough power to support high performance laptops with high processing speeds. However, as the battery meets the processor’s need for power, it heats up. This is mainly due to the fact that laptops are small, compact and very poor at allowing heat to escape from their innards.

While overheated laptops are certainly an inconvenience and uncomfortable to use, there are more potentially lethal and destructive surprises waiting within . Wildstrom says that lithium ion batteries rely on electronic circuits, a sort of fail-safe so to speak, to prevent violent chemical reactions. Unfortunately, as of late, these systems seem to be failing in the notebook computers of a couple major notebook manufacturers.

However, heat doesn’t seem to be the only problem facing the laptops of today. In order to compensate for the heat, cooling fans blast on at a high RPM, generating a noise that sounds like a fighter jet turning on its afterburners directly overhead.

While laptops are good for people when on the go, it seems that many people are simply using their notebooks all the time, even when seated at their home office, or designated workplace.

Because of this, the user’s productivity goes down due to the distracting blasts of noise from the cooling unit, his health is jeopardized and put at risk due usually poor ergonomic setup of the workplace and to the overheated batteries, when in reality, they could be using other methods of computing that would prove more productive.

Turning Green

So how are these problems to be solved? A better choice is to use a notebook stand with an external keyboard and mouse to have a better physical position, with the notebook battery removed. However the noise and the higher level of radiation are still there.

What can be done?

The best choice is a silent and environmentally friendly desktop computer. The computer can be tucked away; the keyboard, mouse and monitor can be set up ergonomically. Ideally the screen is about 25 inches away. The top of the screen is at eye level. The keyboard and mouse are in a light color to keep the contrast difference to the monitor to a minimum and help reduce potential eyestrain.

Constant exposure to due to not so well shielded computer cases and electronics increases stress levels as the body has to spend energy to maintain its own energy field. Once you start working with a well shielded and silent computer you’ll feel the difference very quickly.

A high quality, green and silent computer can also increase productivity up to 20%. Michael Kim of InspiredTraffic.com reported increases of 10 to 20% since switching to a GreenMachineShop.com desktop. He had been using mostly his notebook before. Now the notebook is only for the road. As a side effect, he reduced his electricity bill by about 30%. The silent computer made him turn off all other noise sources in the office. And he feels fresher after the work day is done.

He also reports that the compliant monitor causes much less stress to his eyes than before. The rating means that the monitors are built to the highest ergonomic and environmental standards.

To the best of our knowledge, GreenMachineShop.com’s desktops are currently the only truly “green computers.” Although many other companies say their computers are “green” because they offer a buy back program and eliminated heavy metals, mostly lead, this simply isn’t going to improve health conditions in the workplace or at home if the computers themselves are constructed in an unhealthy way.

The Next Step

Now its time for you to decide what is the best way to improve your surroundings. Think of your families or employees well being. Create the healthiest and most environmentally friendly computer workplace and reap the immediate benefits.

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The Notebook “Green” Myth

Posted on October 11th, 2006 in notebooks and laptops, energy, environment, computers and internet by Thomas

If you are low on energy working with a , I’m not surprised Notebooks are not ergonomic. The location of screen and keyboard strains, upper back, neck, eyes and shoulders. On top of that, they are usually not as well shielded as desktops, the electromagnetic exposure increases our overall “stress” levels. means here not necessarily stress out, but the stress on the bodies energy, with higher fatigue after the work is done.

The only way to use a notebook is to use a docking station with external monitor, and mouse, or a notebook stand to raise the screen off the desk and use external mouse and keyboard. And only occasionally “stand-alone”.

Heat: Many notebooks get really hot, i.e. that’s . Desktops can operate much cooler -> less wasted energy. If the notebook runs off the battery, you wasted probably about 40-50% of the energy you put in.

First, the loss in the power supply, usually they are 60 to 80% efficient
Second, the battery is about 80% to 90% efficient.
You might use less power in total, but not in performance per watt.

Unless the battery is charged by a solar panel. But who has that setup?

Somewhere around 80% of the total energy balance of a computer is used to manufacture the components and to built the computer.

Desktops have a much longer . For example a GreenMachineShop desktop is built to run stable for 5 years. Due to the higher heat and the way the electronic is designed and components used, most desktops and notebooks are built to run stable for only 2-3 years. There is also a higher failure rate for notebooks. They need to be shipped back and forth. Parts in a desktop, if they break down can be replaced by off-the-shelf parts, the whole system doesn’t need to be replaced.

I highly doubt that the energy and environmental balance of a notebook comes even close to compete with a good quality desktop system. Especially now that the new low wattage AMD and Intel CPUs are available.

Desktops are also easier to recycle. Easier to take apart, steel can be just recycled. Many notebooks have a lot more plastic parts and take more time to take apart.


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Extend Notebook Battery Life and Rake Some Health Benefits

Posted on September 22nd, 2006 in notebooks and laptops, ergonomics, health and wellness, energy, environment, computers and internet by Thomas

The recent , facing a number of notebook manufacturers are not really a surprise as the http://blog.greenmachineshop.com/8/extend-notebook-battery-life-and-rake-some-health-benefits/
View »technology is not fully under control just yet. An online resource for battery information recommends to charge the battery to 40 percent capacity and store it in a cool place, when using a laptop plugged into an electrical outlet (see www.batteryuniversity.com, Part 2, BU34).

Unfortunately, many do not work with the battery unplugged. What can be done?

Is it time to rethink how we use notebook and desktop?

No question, are great for people who need mobile computing, but (too?) many people use them all the time, even when sitting at their desks. The higher heat shortens the lifetime of electronics and battery, the higher noise level and the not-so-ergonomic setup can reduce productivity and cause health issues. Using a desktop computer whenever possible and a laptop when necessary could be a better solution.

With more software and data available online at all times, it isn’t that difficult anymore to switch between computers. A little configuration allows almost seamless transitioning between them.

We have customer that report they are 10-20% more productive since they moved away from “all notebook” use and now use mostly a silent and better shielded computer. They also feel fresher and have more energy after a full work day.

Reducing muscle and joint strain in the hands, wrists, arms, neck, shoulders and back is a “common side effect” for people when they use less notebook and switch on to a better keyboard and monitor in the right location on the desk.

For all who want to find out more about noise, ergonomics and electromagnetic radiation, click here for our Free E-Class.


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Cell Phones and the Motor Cortex of the Brain

Posted on June 27th, 2006 in health and wellness, electronics, environment by Thomas

Reuters reported in June ‘06 that Dr. Paolo Rossini of Fatebenefratelli hospital in Milan and colleagues used Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation or TMS to check brain function while people used .

They found that the motor cortex (part of the brain) next to the area where the phone is showed excitability that lasted for about 1 hour until it subsided. Excitable means “it can cause a muscle twitch”.

The researchers say “this does not mean that using a cell phone is bad for the brain in any way”, but obviously they are not so sure about people with certain conditions, like .

Let me ask you:
Is it possible that it affects all of use, some people, might have a “visible” reaction to it, for all the others it just increases their stress level and depletes their energy until it is just too much and something else triggers a visible result, maybe even a .

Quantum physics talks about the , how a butterfly in New Zealand can be the “last drop” that’s needed to create a hurricane in Mexico. Isn’t it time all scientists all sit together?


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