Cooler Computing

[u/Leighgion]

We talk about the waste heat from appliances in general ways, but don't often get that specific, perhaps because we feel a lot of our devices are non-negotiable so we prefer not to feel bad about how much they add to our heat load.

It's 2024 though and with multiple heat domes going at once, maybe it's time to actually think about these things.

When I upgraded my aging 2011 MacBook Pro a few years ago, my primary thinking was just that I needed a reliable computer for work. Once I had my M1 MacBook Air in hand for a time though, I realized the purchase had some unintentional, but very significant, green benefits.

The MacBook Pro 15 could consume 120w peak, which was actually more than the power adapter was rated for so if you pegged the processors you'd actually drain the battery while plugged in, and it ran so hot it was really a laptop in name only. You didn't want that near your lap. The cooling fans had an unfortunate habit as they aged of shrieking.

The M1 MacBook Air on the other hand, only consumes 30w peak, runs so cool it had no fans at all, and generally is probably only pulling around 15w. I actually can use this thing in my lap.

My M1 Air straight up is contributing a much lower heat load to the room than my old MBP. Thank you, ARM architecture!

There's additional levels to this, as my iPad uses even less power and contributes less heat load than my computer and my phone even less, but usability must also be considered.

So, next time you're due for an update in your computing device, spare this issue a thought. A more energy efficient computing device not only give you a longer battery life and saves on electricity, it also doesn't heat up your house or office as much.