Digital Home Thoughts: Display Technology Just Keeps On Getting Greener

"Interestingly, displays were largely neglected in this "green refresh." Part of the reason was that, ever since LCDs displaced CRT displays, the typical PC utilizes more power than its attached monitor. However, this is changing rapidly. Enthusiast PCs, gaming systems, and workstations still often consume more than 100 W at idle and much more under load. But the majority of PCs sold are business and mainstream systems, and the average power consumption in this group is dropping fast thanks to aggressive optimization."

When one thinks monitors these days, almost everyone I know of thinks about resolution, refresh rates and viewing angles. Hardly a thought is given to power consumption. When CRTs and LCD displays were competing for your dollars, there was the battle of initial cost compared to long term power usage. LCDs handily won that battle and LCD displays are becoming more affordable each day. What should not be surprising is that that LCD you bought 5 years ago probably sucks juice out of your power outlets much faster than a new LCD made today. It seems as if no part of your computer setup is immune to the advances of technology!