Keep On Plugging – Should you run your laptop off battery power or use a charger?

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I’m a committed laptop user, but most of the time, I’m just using it at my desk. Do I save more energy by keeping it plugged in, or should I use my charger only when my battery gets low?

First, some good news: Despite your desk-bound ways, you’re using a laptop, which is already a greener choice than a desktop. It’s not just that you don’t have a monitor to plug in—although that’s a big part of it. Laptops are typically designed to be more energy-efficient than their desktop counterparts, and all in all, they are estimated to use as much as 80 percent less energy while operating. There’s a simple reason why laptops are more efficient: They need to be. Waste energy on a desktop, and you’ll get a slightly higher electricity bill.
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But if your laptop isn’t energy-efficient, that means either you’ll need a bigger battery (and a heavier machine) or you’ll spend half your time hunting for an outlet at your local coffee shop. (Laptops likely require less energy to manufacture, too—although regardless of which machine you use, one of the greenest things you can do is hold off on buying a new computer.)              More

Intel’s Rumored TV Plan: We Know How This One Ends

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Intel A Player In TV? History Says No

Intel is arguably the most efficient, most advanced manufacturer in the world and one of the most sophisticated companies when it comes to bringing cutting-edge technology to the mass market.

It just isn’t very good at branching out.

The Santa Clara-based chipmakers inability to move into new markets has come up again amid rumors that it is working on services to provide TV programs over the Internet.

“The chip maker envisions the service as a bundle of television channels akin to the packages provided by cable and satellite television providers, according to a person with knowledge of the discussions, who did not want to be identified talking about unannounced company plans. Instead of using the service via a set-top box, consumers would tune in with devices that run on Intel chips,” wrote the New York Times.                     More

Golf slightly less frustrating with robot caddy

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Caddytrek wants to follow you around. (Credit: Caddytrek.com)

Caddytrek wants to follow you around. (Credit: Caddytrek.com)

I’m usually too concerned with actually hitting the ball, let alone well, to worry about the strain of lugging clubs around the links. But I can see how FTR Systems‘ Caddytrek could make the ultimate non-human accessory to one’s game.

A step up from remote-controlled golf trolleys, which make you pay attention to them, Caddytrek automatically rolls after you while carrying your woods and irons.     More

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