Akhter's LoCO2PC looks like an ugly monitor, doesn't need much power

Call it fate, or call it the beginning of an unsightly trend, but whatever the case, we're seeing the second all-in-one green PC this week in the Akhter LoCO2PC. Designed to look like an atypically thick LCD 19-inch monitor, this energy-sipping desktop hums along at 3GHz while sucking down just 55-watts (or less) while in use; when it falls to sleep, it consumes just 3-watts. The 19-inch panel boasts an SXGA (1,280 x 1,024) resolution, HDMI output, 250GB hard drive, 802.11b/g WiFi and your choice of a Celeron dual-core or Core 2 Duo processor. Prices range from £539 ($975) to £639 ($1,156) depending on options, but considering just how much energy you'll be saving (or so they say), the price is totally justified.

[Via PC World]

[bob @ Sep 1st 2008 1:48PM]

doesn't the iMacs use almost the same wattage?

[Juxtah @ Sep 1st 2008 1:53PM]

Nice try, if you actually wanted to do some research before endorsing an Apple product the average watt consumption of the iMac is around twice as much averaging around 100 watts (for the 24").

[PCIV @ Sep 1st 2008 2:33PM]

100w still alot less than 500w the average computer uses these days. If you want to save more power, get a laptop and tie it up to a monitor at home.

[TiberiusMonkey @ Sep 1st 2008 2:47PM]

@Juxtah

The 17" iMac uses 63W on FULL ALL OUT CPU burn and only 2W in sleep/stand-by. Not bad next to the "55-watts while in use" and 3W while in sleep of the LoCO2PC, I'd like to know what this "while in use" actually was because (while I could be wrong) "in use" does not normally mean a full out x2 CPU burn.

The LoCO2PC is very efficient, but as are iMacs.

[HunterXI @ Sep 1st 2008 2:48PM]

I wouldn't say that average computers these days have 500 watt PSUs. That's more the stupid gaming enthusiasts who are too lazy to calculate their computers' power needs to figure out that they probably went 200 watts overboard.

I'd say the average OEM computer ships with a 200 watt PSU.

[Juxtah @ Sep 1st 2008 3:07PM]

@TiberisMonkey
17" iMac? Are you sure you aren't mentioning an old one? As currently the only ones I can see are 20 and 24" models, and since it says 55 watts for a 3Ghz processor I was comparing it to the 24" iMac which most regularly comes with a 3Ghz chip which consumes around 100 watts total, not completely fair I know because of the extra screen real estate. But even with the same sized screen I'd say it's safe to assume this still consumes 20 or so less watts then an iMac with a 3Ghz processor, as most of the other specs are similar too. And as it says "55 watts (or less)" in the article I'd assume it means 55 watts is under load.

[RagnarIV @ Sep 1st 2008 4:54PM]

Yeah, OEM computer ship with 200watt PSU's cause they are cheap.

They also don't care that within 1-3yrs that 200w PSU won't be able to
power the computer due to capacitor aging, and that due to its lower
quality it will end up shortening the lifespans of the other parts in your
machine before it goes.

Also just cause I have an 850w PSU doesn't mean I am pulling the maximum
amount of power constantly. Your computer only uses what it needs.

[Richard @ Sep 1st 2008 11:41PM]

I have a generic computer built at almost half the cost of this setup (using rebates) and reusing my hard drive & DVD Burner. Core 2 Duo E7200 overclocked to 3+ Ghz, 2GB RAM, 430Watt PS(goodquality brand), & 22" LCD. Just using the integrated video, network, and sound, I'm using around 35-45 watts (reading from Kill o Watt) and watching streaming video from internet and listening to mp3 music. I didn't get to measure the LCD's usage but I consider this as Green Computer. I can always recycle what I can if I ever need to fix/upgrade again.

[Richard @ Sep 1st 2008 11:42PM]

Oh, my computer also sips 3 watts when on Standby too. Sips 3 watts even when powered off completely, so I always put it on standby.

[computer.dude.28 @ Sep 1st 2008 1:49PM]

Specs are good, price is high, and looks are terrible.

[SteveJr_Ri @ Sep 1st 2008 1:53PM]

instead of spending the money to develop and sell this crap, they are better off looking into renewable energy and keep the computers exactly the way they are :) I can only imagine how tech support in the future is going to be.... ( you say it uses more power when its off then when is on...hmm your going to need a replacement model for $900) yeahhh right

[andres @ Sep 1st 2008 2:58PM]

you have to conserve energy before you start moving to renewable energy.

[Juxtah @ Sep 1st 2008 3:14PM]

Or you can just wait for maintainable and economical fusion.

[SteveJr_Ri @ Sep 1st 2008 7:48PM]

where is everyone's sense of humor? You say how ugly it is, i make a crack about it and you low rank me? jeesh engadget really is a tough crowd

[GON @ Sep 1st 2008 1:55PM]

They could have at least included Vista.

[zenstylejunglist @ Sep 1st 2008 1:58PM]

Did someone beat this thing with the ugly stick?

[Sagaris @ Sep 1st 2008 2:01PM]

It's ugly, so you know it's good for the environment.
Guess they had the designer, who also made the Prius.

[Byrdman @ Sep 1st 2008 3:54PM]

I guess someone, doesn't know how to use, a comma

[gad get @ Sep 2nd 2008 4:01AM]

Guess they had THE designer, who also made the Prius.

Makes perfect sense... from a certain point of view.

[Max Katz @ Sep 1st 2008 2:09PM]

What the hell is "green" about a machine where upgrading means throwing the whole thing away?

[Adam Jay @ Sep 1st 2008 2:29PM]

the 20" iMac would be a safer comparison as this article is regarding a computer with 19" Screen.

And the sleep specs are a bit more favorable: The 20" iMac uses less than 2 watts while asleep with Wake On LAN turned off, and 2.37 watts while asleep with it on. (The 24" uses 2.35W and 2.65W for the same conditions.)

55watts for that PC is impressive though, I wonder how much it would consume if it had a dedicated GPU though.

[Phoenix987 @ Sep 1st 2008 3:30PM]

your choice of a celeron dual-core or a core 2 duo...

is that really a choice? (Noting of course there will probably be a huge premium for the C2D)

[gonintendo @ Sep 1st 2008 5:28PM]

I don't normally support apple, but i'd much rather have an imac over this.

[McFly @ Sep 1st 2008 9:22PM]

who would ever buy a "loco too" PC ?
these companies are using the eco-friendly label simply to market their products, producing all this junk is NOT eco-friendly

[Adderz @ Sep 2nd 2008 12:26AM]

Surely a company other than Apple can do better than this. Its hideous and uses an almost unusable Celeron processor. So expect to have to throw it out in 6 months because you cant upgrade anything easily.

hmm...

[qrius @ Sep 2nd 2008 2:48AM]

LOCO2PC? as in crazy to pc in spanish?

[gad get @ Sep 2nd 2008 4:04AM]

"Akhter's LoCO2PC"

Ugly name for an ugly product.

[Koitenshin @ Sep 3rd 2008 2:51AM]

Can anyone say Table Top MAME cabinet?