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Here's an easy way to get just a little bit greener with your laptop, just by moving your mouse a few millimeters and depressing your pointer finger: change your computer settings for the greener.
There are a few ways you can do this, depending on what kind of computer you have and what you're using the computer for. Most laptops have a Power Settings option, which you can find in the Control Panel of your PC (the program names will be different for Mac users, but the concepts remain the same). Putting this on the lowest power setting not only gives the battery a longer lifespan, but uses less electricity if it's plugged in.
Try to keep your laptop on this setting whenever you don't need the use of high performance functions like graphics heavy programs or streaming video—say, when you're idly browsing online or using the word processor.
The other prominent setting you should be sure to change is the screen saver setting, also found in the Control Panel. Set this to 10 minutes or so, so you'll conserve the maximum amount of energy whenever you’re away.
If you're interested in going the green computing mile, there are a number of interesting applications that monitor your energy use and help you more effectively manage your laptop's power, as well.
Finally, and this is obvious—though it must be said—always turn off your laptop when you're done. Unplug it, too, to avoid the ill effects of vampire power.
Love green gadgets, fashion, and news? Get the latest from Planet Green's dynamic duo Suchin Pak and Daniel Sieberg on the G Word.
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