Is Microsoft a danger to the environment?

Stan Beer
Monday, 26 November 2007 19:42

Opinion and Analysis

The only problem is that my super charged box runs so hot (read uses so much power) that it needs two fans to keep it cool and is way too powerful for the things I usually use it for. 
Using my box for word and spreadsheet processing, the occasional presentation and posting articles to a website is like using an atomic bomb to kill an ant. Yet this is what Vista requires to run well. Of course, I use my computer for other things such as reviews but I still have way more computing power than I need.

The problem with all this is that I can install a Linux distro such as Ubuntu, PCLinuxOS or a plethora of others on a 512MB box (OK let's say 1GB) with a much slower processor and no dedicated GPU and get similar performance. I may not get all the bells and whistles of Vista (Linux advocates may argue that point) but I'll get a box that allows me to do the work I need and won't require an upgrade every other year.

So what this all boils down to is that Microsoft is pursuing policies that are contrary to the principles of green IT. Intel (and AMD for that matter) may argue that dual-core and quad-core processors are more energy efficient than their single-core predecessors. However, the fact of the matter is that the pursuit of more processing power will inevitably require more electrical power and Microsoft will always be there with new software that requires the increased power.

We complain about how wasteful and evironmentally destructive the automobile industry is with consumers changing cars every three to five years. However, at least the auto industry has a healthy used car market that results in cars being recycled continuously until they reach the end of their useful life.

Unfortunately, this is not the case in the computer industry. All too often perfectly good computers end up as landfill because they can't run a supported version of Windows. This is neither environmentally friendly or energy efficient. These computers could be used for other purposes, such as the education of children in third world countries.

While Moore's Law continues to march on, Microsoft would do well to resist the temptation to march with it. Instead of thinking of ways to stretch the limitations of new more powerful hardware, Microsoft should be focussing its efforts on getting the best out of as little as possible.

Perhaps Windows XP SP3 may be a step in the right direction. It supposedly runs faster than its predecessor on existing hardware - unlike Vista. Even though Vista is an elegant looking operating system, perhaps it's time for Microsoft reconsider the value proposition of trying to sell its customers on an operating system that requires more power and energy resources at a time when energy conservation and green IT are foremost in the minds of consumers.