Ecobutton aims to reduce PC power consumption, not as much as power button

While it won't reduce your carbon footprint as much as something like, say, the HumanCar, the folks behind the Ecobutton seem to think their new device will do its small part nonetheless, even if it's actual necessity may be somewhat in question. Apparently, the device will let you switch your PC to "ecomode" at the press of a button, although exactly what that is and how it differs from your usual sleep or hibernation mode is a bit of a mystery. The button seemingly does something to your PC, however, as the FAQ warns that some older computers and certain HP PCs may have trouble reactivating due to BIOS issues. No word as to when they'll be available directly to consumer just yet, but those looking to turn 'em into a business opportunity can order some now from "recognized promotional gift distributors" for between $12 and $18 apiece depending on the quantity.

[Via OhGizmo]

[Technex @ Jan 30th 2008 4:16PM]

These are made out of toxic chemicals :).


BTW a few mouse clicks to sleep/shutdown isn't much to ask for nowa days, is it?

[pretol @ Jan 30th 2008 4:47PM]

NOT EVEN A COUPLE CLICKS... just go to your power settings, and route the power button to put the computer in hibernation (which power-wise is equivalent to shutting computer down completely)... It's like an instant "save the whales" button, and it's FREE...

[JohnTitor @ Jan 30th 2008 4:51PM]

just change some power settings
make it go to sleep or hibernate automatically when you aren't doing anything

[m @ Jan 30th 2008 5:23PM]

this is bound to meet resistance. one of my office mates actually got mad at me for setting our shared PC to hibernate after 3 hours (3!) of non-use. he didn't like waiting an extra 20 seconds for it to resume, the one time (1!) a day he used it. americans need a major reprogramming regarding conservation vs. personal convenience if we're to make any environmental progress.

[Reid @ Jan 30th 2008 5:36PM]

I still think it's a crock that it takes Windows (XP, at least) so long to hibernate and wake up. While 20 seconds is definitely not a long time, it is certainly an annoyance. I'm not sure whether it's a hardware or an OS thing, but every Mac I've had can sleep (like windows hibernate) in a matter of 2 or so seconds, and wake equally quickly.

If Microsoft could make their OS sleep and wake as quickly (again, it might be an HW issue and not MS's problem), then people would be less averse to setting their computers to hibernate after a period of inactivity.

It still seems like computer makers could go a long ways towards making computers that use very little power at idle and them ramp up when it's needed.

[Will @ Jan 30th 2008 5:51PM]

Reid,
You are comparing Windows hibernation mode and Mac OS's standy. Windows also has a standby mode which does not write everything to HDD in order to save the state. This resumes very quickly just like waking a Mac. Standby mode consumes more power than hibernation mode as the computer still uses power to keep the state saved to RAM.

I do like the fact that on a Mac I've never experienced any problems (driver) when resuming from standby unlike Windows. Then again, I haven't really used standby at all on Windows (simply shutting down instead) since Windows 9x versions, so maybe it's been improved in the interim.

[billy bob thorton @ Jan 30th 2008 8:32PM]

@Reid

I work with 2 macs, dual G5 and an dual Xeon. Both take slightly longer to standby than my windows machine (under 1 second). It's not the OS. It's what programs are running, and the method of standby (mentioned above). Hard drive speed is also a major factor.

[Reid @ Jan 31st 2008 2:46AM]

Sorry, I was confusing Windows Hibernate with Standby (since they don't seem to be on the shutdown menus all of the time; maybe this is home versus professional).

I use Standby on my work Thinkpad and find that it takes quite a bit longer to standby and wake than the Macs do, maybe 3-5 sec.

But what I was recalling taking a *really* long time was the hibernate mode that I had used in the past on XP systems years ago, and you're right, that is not a fair comparison because it is an essentially zero-power mode as opposed to the slow drain of Windows and OS X standby.

[Anthony @ Jan 30th 2008 4:18PM]

I hope it is made of recycled plastics.

[someguy7234 @ Jan 31st 2008 2:01AM]

I hope I can Hack a 25 watt incandescent bulb into it...

Is that shinyness from its mad eco-clean reflectivity or did they put 3 draintastic LEDs on it?

[John Johnson @ Jan 30th 2008 4:19PM]

It's actually a really good idea. When I step away from my computer to go to a meeting or something, I never hibernate my computer or anything. This will actually be a pretty good product. Lots of applications. Good job, guys.

[Scott @ Jan 30th 2008 4:35PM]

Of course you could just adjust your settings to do that *automatically* based on when it's idle...But you already knew that, right?

[ScareyJ @ Jan 30th 2008 4:41PM]

Theres a interesting project on CodeProject.com thats titled something like "intelligent screen saver" that uses face detection with your webcam (Intels OpenCV I believe) to automatically turn on the screen saver when the app no longer detects a face after a certain period of time. Would be interesting to try the same concept to accelerate standby mode.

[Pretol @ Jan 30th 2008 4:58PM]

I guess there are always people that have no clue how to use their computers. And of course the many tree huggers with no sense of style that can stand that slimy green round thing taking up the table space.

I guess, this is a sort of a "ecology for dummies" solutions...

Maybe they should make a button called "Word processing button", you press it and MSWord pops out. It will amaze my grandma who so often calls me up to ask how to get that "typing thingie".

P.S. Here's a way to save yourself 15 bucks instantly, and then save some more money on your electric bills (and mother earth as well). Go to "settings" -> "control panel" -> "power options" and set up the power button to hibernate, and set your computer to sleep in 15min and hibernate in an hour...

[Chebwa @ Jan 30th 2008 4:21PM]

Manufacturing these things is probably going to hurt the Earth more than their usage will help it. Unless that $12-$18 goes directly to some sort of... Earth charity (which I am seriously doubting), I am nominating this early for the worst product of the decade.

[Andrew @ Jan 30th 2008 4:41PM]

The proceeds go towards the Human Fund.

[Chebwa @ Jan 30th 2008 5:36PM]

They need to create a level slightly above "highest ranked" for that comment.

[Will @ Jan 30th 2008 6:06PM]

Andrew, there's a memo here, from accounting, telling me there's no such thing as the Human Fund.

I agree with Chebwa. It seems whenever there is some broad movement (9/11 relief, AIDS relief, etc) there are always unscrupulous people about ready to make a quick buck off of the ill informed.

Money would be better spent on educating about the big difference (lower energy costs, fewer blackouts, reduced carbon emissions) that changing a few simple power settings can make. Working in IT, I've dealt with far too many people that want their PC's and monitors to be always on. I suppose there would be an extremely slight decrease in productivity if more things had to resume from power saving states before being used, but the decrease in energy costs should at least be commensurate in dollars.

[Fred @ Jan 30th 2008 4:22PM]

Seriously, send me 12-18 bucks, and I'll send you a piece of paper on how to use sleep mode.

[decadeofevil @ Jan 30th 2008 4:27PM]

wow really ... whats ur paypal address

[Fred @ Jan 30th 2008 4:36PM]

Sorry, cash only. I don't want to encourage computer use.

[looseinthedeuce @ Jan 30th 2008 4:26PM]

Can I sync it to my "Easy" button? I'd like to be able to push the Easy button and have it activate the Ecobutton.

[Kenundrum @ Jan 30th 2008 6:01PM]

Now there's a thought... why doesn't Staples sell USB easy buttons? you could program it to do actually do something when you press it. Why hasn't brando hopped on this bandwagon yet?

[Fred @ Jan 30th 2008 4:37PM]

Awesome! LMAO!

[robofatty @ Jan 30th 2008 4:30PM]

Eco-tastic!

[jared @ Jan 30th 2008 4:32PM]

The "sleep" mode is different then a regular sleep mode. When the computer returns from "sleep mode" it also displays how much money and CO2 was saved by using the ecomode. The ecobutton is made from recycled plastics. If you want more information you can visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQs2_FDorlg.

Jared

[RikF @ Jan 30th 2008 4:46PM]

And that requires a hunk of plastic to be manufactured and shipped because...?

[JMac @ Jan 30th 2008 4:49PM]

try and explain away the environmental footprint the production of this thing has when software could do the same thing!

[jared @ Jan 30th 2008 5:11PM]

This item is meant as a promotional product for companies to use or giveaway. The ecobutton promotes eco friendly thinking in the work environment. I would rather see companies utilize a product like this as a promotion that sending out items that are not made of recycled material and do not promote green thinking.

[Fred @ Jan 30th 2008 5:18PM]

Jared, maybe I missed something. Are you the manufacturer of said extruded plastic dingus?

[JMac @ Jan 30th 2008 5:37PM]

perhaps companies should stop giving out crap. though i don't mind the occasion free upgrade on my keychain thumb drive, i sure hope that (one) useful chachki doesn't get replaced this turd.

[macdoc @ Jan 30th 2008 4:46PM]

I'm so sick of this Green BS and Global Warming SHIT! There is NO Global Warming it all a scam!! Carbon credits and such are just a money make scheme. Everyone is just a bunch of sheep. Just like in the 70-80s when the ozone had a hole in it, turned out it was a natural occurrence, mean while we payed out the ass because the EPA banned freon and we had to move to a more expansive version. There is a lot of oil if the tree huggers would just shut-up, let us go and drill for it. The US is not drilling off the FLA Gulf Cost, but all the other countries are including China!!
People need to wake up!!! No one wants to screw up the planet, but we have to move forward and not turn the clock back Al...

[RikF @ Jan 30th 2008 4:47PM]

Asphinctersezwhat?

[Pretol @ Jan 30th 2008 4:50PM]

Relax dude...

[Nathan Sacks @ Jan 30th 2008 5:28PM]

retard alert. not all people are dumb sheep. global warming is happening and there are tons of sources of information proving it. if u honestly believe that global warming is a lie, then you must also believe that george bush is the greatest president ever, evolution didnt happen, pigs can fly, and that bigfoot owns Apple and Microsoft.

[rlynd3 @ Jan 30th 2008 5:28PM]

*Gets Angry!* *Presses Eco-button*

Stupid post goes away!

[Fred @ Jan 30th 2008 6:15PM]

Nathan, there are just as many sources (more actually) that say it's not happening. I'm not saying we shouldn't take care of what we have, OR that macdoc's rant is all that coherent, but the numbers that show "global warming" have been massaged repeatedly, and if you were able to go look at the unadulterated evidence it would show a miniscule change in temperature. And anyway, look out the window! China is getting it's ass kicked in by SNOW! Remember that "worst hurricane season...EVER!" crap? Didn't pan out did it? Use your brain and decide for yourself. I've said this before on different threads. The reason that everything is tied to global warming is because global warming gets you money for research, just as cancer did back in the day. Remember when EVERYTHING caused cancer? Same thing man, think about it.

[ZeroCorpse @ Jan 30th 2008 6:18PM]

Man, you're an idiot.

There's not a SINGLE member of the LEGITIMATE scientific community who doesn't believe:
1. Climate change IS a fact.
2. Climate change is greatly influenced by human activity in the last 100 years.
3. The sea levels have risen significantly, and will raise up to forty feet in the next 25 years if something isn't done.
4. The worst case scenarios for climate change could lead to global economic disasters, as well as many deaths and extinctions.

The only ones refuting climate change ("global warming") are "specialists" work for the major polluters. They're no different than the "doctors" who worked for big tobacco who were insisting that cigarettes don't cause cancer.

Of course, you're probably getting your information from neoconservative think tanks and FOX News, where they bring in oil company lobbyists who SWEAR that climate change is a myth, and urge you to ignore the scientific community and use as much energy as you want.

Instead of watching political lobbyists and "specialists" tell you about climate change, why don't you watch History Channel, Discovery Channel, Science Channel, National Geographic Channel, or PBS and learn something that isn't spun by the corporations who benefit most from continuing to pollute and consume energy irresponsibly? Why don't you pick up a book that is written by a climatologist, instead of an oil company shill?

Better yet, just think of it in terms of Pascal's Wager. If you're right, and nothing is happening, then doing something won't cause any harm. If you're wrong, and something IS happening, then NOT doing something could result in a serious threat to the human race. I don't see why it chaps your ass so much to simply not be a selfish, wasteful pig all the time.

This is NOT a political issue. This is not a liberal versus conservative issue. This is a HUMAN issue. This is something that benefits ALL OF US, and the only people who are "hurt" by environmentalism are the CEOs of oil companies, electricity companies, automobile companies, and other contributors to pollution.

You sound like a holocaust denier when you say there's no climate change and that humanity isn't a major cause of it. The facts are there. The evidence has been studied, checked, and studied again. There's NO DEBATE within the scientific community around the ENTIRE WORLD. None. The only debate is within the minds of partisan hacks and sensationalist pundits.

Even President Bush, in his recent State of the Union speech, admitted that Climate Change is very real, and that we are a major cause of it, and that we need to do something about it! This is a guy who denied it and ignored it for SEVEN YEARS while President. NOW he sees the truth and admits it.

The ONLY reason some of you people are still clinging to the "global warming is a myth" schtick is because Al Gore was the guy to really bring it to the public's attention. You're so blinded by your partisan hatred for a Democratic Vice President that you're willing to risk the future of the human race instead of doing some investigation and making a few minor personal sacrifices.

People like you make me feel utterly embarrassed to be an American sometimes. At this point, you're even being less logical than George W. Bush, and let me tell you-- That takes some effort.

[ZeroCorpse @ Jan 30th 2008 6:27PM]

However, let me clarify something:

This product is bunk. It's a waste of your time and money.

If you want to save some energy, use the power saving features in your system configuration... Or just turn off your computer.

A better solution is to leave the computer in low power mode and turn off all the lights while you're working on it. The screen is provides light for most basic tasks, so you can go without that 100-watt bulb for a few hours.

Do sensible things-- Carpool, use public transportation, bike to work, recycle your plastics and glass, plant a tree.

We're not asking you to live like Ed Begley Jr. or anything. You don't need to eat tree bark or wear hemp. You don't need to give up having a decent car. You just need to cut back a little.

It's like the difference between drinking casually, and being a total alcoholic. Right now, Americans are total energyholics. We just need to stop being drunk all the time, and realize that we can be advanced, comfortable, convenient AND responsible at the same time.

This ecobutton is more of a way to separate you from your cash, and less about saving the environment. Any good cause is going to have leeches and liars who exploit it to those unwilling to do a little basic research.

[Fred @ Jan 30th 2008 6:36PM]

Of course because anybody who doesn't agree with you must be a neo-con cronie. As far as being ashamed to be American, I'll give you the standard Neo-Con answer if you want :GTFO! This country was built on debate and the fact that I can believe anything I want, as can you (misguided or not). To call me stupid because I come to a different conclusion that you do is completely ignorant, and to call into question the legitimacy of people who do real work and came to different conclusions. And I'll tell you one other thing, friend. The anonymity of the internet makes it real easy for you to compare me to a Holocaust denier. If you said that to my face you'd be swallowing blood and teeth. We have real photographic evidence of that horrific event and to compare some psuedo-science bullshit to something so terrible that killed millions upon millions of people. And BTW just because you managed to convince Ol' Dubya that something was real doesn't mean it convinces me. If I told him there David Lee Roth was touring with Van Halen again he'd believe....that....too....Ummm...

[Fred @ Jan 30th 2008 6:41PM]

Hey Zero, Al Gore is the biggest f'ing hypocrite on the planet, and it has nothing to do with his politics, you'd do well for your position to distance yourself from that douchebag. In my anger at you, and my haste to post I failed to finish my sentence earlier:

"We have real photographic evidence of that horrific event and to compare some psuedo-science bullshit to something so terrible that killed millions upon millions of people is unconscionable"

There that's better.

[anonymous @ Jan 30th 2008 7:09PM]

Whoa guys. Do you have any idea of how long your computers were on to write those last four posts. Talk about killing the environment...

[RikF @ Jan 30th 2008 8:14PM]

Fred,

comparing you to a holocaust denier was foolish in the extreme. However the poster was correct in saying that the *vast* majority of actual scientists with an actual focus on the environment and who are not funded by bodies with a vested interest in saying otherwise point to the fact that the currently *observed* (that's the same as a photo) temperature rises can be reasonably explained only by the effect of the increase in greenhouse gasses in the environment and that their increase can be directly related to mankind's activities. As for the 'small' change in temperature, it would be worth bearing in mind that large parts of the arctic tundra is only a degree or so from melting. The frozen biological material in the tundra, which would decompose and release its CO2 content if it were to defrost, contains more CO2 than is currently in the atmosphere. If it were released the change in our temperatures would have devestating effects on the land based ice that we have (antarctic, greenland) which *would* raise the sea levels considerably. That would be a bad thing.

By the way, a person isn't a fool for believing something that someone else does not. A person is a fool if they are presented with a vast preponderance of evidence and still refuse to consider that they might be wrong.

[Fred @ Jan 30th 2008 10:45PM]

Well, when you can present me with that preponderance I will certainly consider it. In the meantime please consider this. I couldn't find the link earlier or I would have posted it, but here ya go: http://epw.senate.gov/pressitem.cfm?party=rep&id=264777

[Jon Acheson @ Jan 30th 2008 4:47PM]

Oh, look, a USB powered pistol target!

[JMac @ Jan 30th 2008 4:49PM]

I like the concept but find it strange the the design of their website is better than the fugly button they want me to further clutter my desktop with. Seems the same result could be achieved by altering energy usage settings on my computer. Again, good concept but it' cant be fugly!

[insertAlias @ Jan 30th 2008 5:05PM]

I wouldn't buy something like this even if it were beautiful. This whole thing could be done with software. Or, you know, just pressing the hibernate button. Oh right, the hibernate button doesn't tell you how much CO2 you avoided producing by using it...that makes having a hunk of manufactured plastic definitely worth my $18.

[JMac @ Jan 30th 2008 5:25PM]

i agree InsertAlias

[JMac @ Jan 30th 2008 5:26PM]

i agree InsertAlias

[JMac @ Jan 30th 2008 5:41PM]

i wonder if you could press the button and engadget would no longer erroneously repeat comments. hmmm