
Vista greenest OS yet. Or is it?
Published: 6 March 2008 08:57 GMT
Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer has claimed that more efficient use of IT is one of the company's main priorities for the future, despite the fact the company has been widely criticised for producing processor-hungry software.
Vista: all the coverage...
1. Some to get Vista SP1 this week
2. Vista SP1 finally ready for manufacture
3. Do US businesses want Vista at last?
4. Microsoft refreshes Vista SP1
5. Don't put Vista in schools, says education agency
6. Details of Vista SP1 revealed
7. Poll: Vista gets vote of no confidence
8. Vista: Piracy rates half the level of XP, says Microsoft
9. Microsoft still bullish about Windows Vista
10. One year on: XP still outshining Vista
Speaking at the CeBit technology show in Hanover, the Microsoft boss described how the software maker is collaborating with German nuclear power provider Yello Strom. Yello Strom's managing director Martin Vesper demonstrated a "Yello-saving counter" - a Vista widget that lets consumers monitor their home power via a PC.
Ballmer explained PCs and other technology still consume far too much electricity. He said: "The lowering of energy consumption is as important for us as new uses of software and IT for the environment."
Microsoft cited a study by the UK's PC Pro Labs, which found that for a company with 200 PCs, running Windows Vista on the machines produced 45 tons fewer of carbon per year than running XP. As far as Microsoft is concerned, Windows Vista is the most efficient operating system the company has delivered.
However, a recent survey by US IT services company Softchoice claimed Vista is the most power-hungry Windows desktop so far. The report claimed at Windows XP's launch, for example, the minimum CPU requirements were 75 per cent greater than those for the operating system it replaced, Windows 2000. Vista's minimum CPU requirements are 243 per cent larger than that of XP.
The Softchoice survey also showed that of 113,000 desktops checked from over 400 US organisations, 50 per cent of the machines wouldn't be able to meet the basic Vista requirements. The UK's Green Party has also criticised Vista for requiring "more expensive and energy-hungry hardware, passing the cost on to consumers and the environment".
Dietmar Mueller writes for ZDNet Germany
Skills Knowledge of Microsoft Operating Systems (2000/XP/Vista) Knowledge of all Microsoft Office applications (Office 2000 to Office 2007) ...
We are seeking talented Technical Support Engineers to join our exciting new Building Schools for the Future (BSF) project in Leeds. You will play an ...
Based in Central London you will be primarily responsible for: - Installing, configuring and supporting desktop PCs and printers - Providing 1st and ...
CIO Agenda 2008
The exclusive silicon.com CIO Agenda 2008 survey looks at the CIO's tech shopping list for the year, examines whether IT budgets are rising or falling and reveals what the pain points are for tech chiefs this year. Find out more in our latest special report.
Staffing Service Coordinates Sales Activities, Utilizes Business Intelligence With...
Teachers Association Turns to Centralized Data Repository to Improve Member Service
Financial-Software Leader Credits Productivity Boost, Reduced IT Costs to 2007 Software
United States Coast Guard Explores Potential to Enhance Training With Digital Note-Taking...
Stories from the web...
Copyright ©1995-2008 CNET Networks, Inc. All rights reserved. Top of page
silicon.com Dear silicon.com... XP lives, the femtocell 'truth', BlackBerry bashing… Reader Comments of the Week
Martin Brampton The Brampton Factor: Open source 'brotherhood' closed to co-operation Where's the real sharing?