A Note on Environmental Sustainability – Energy Efficient Chromebooks Powered by MediaTek Kompanio Processors

Research substantiates that when used in the workplace, Chromebooks are, on average, 46% more energy efficient than comparative end-user computing devices with alternative popular operating systems such as Microsoft's Windows ^[1]. The research also determines that 19% of the energy reduction is attributed to Chrome OS and as such any further reductions that may reach an additional 27% are caused by component choices ^[2].

By focusing on the 27% of energy reduction that is caused by component choices (such as differing CPUs), we find that MediaTek Kompanio-powered Chromebooks provide an entry-level computing experience (such as in student devices and basic computing devices) while typically being rated at 3.6W Thermal Design Power (TDP). This means that during a heavy workload, such devices will draw ~3.6W of power. Comparable competitor devices on the other hand require ~6W under a similar heavy workload ^[5]. The difference being that using MediaTek platforms results in 40% less energy consumption and consequently, 40% less energy based greenhouse gas emissions.

Additionally, at the premium level, MediaTek Kompanio-powered Chromebooks consume ~6W of power under heavy workload scenarios while comparable competitor devices consume ~15W of power ^[6]. That results in a whopping 60% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions when using MediaTek-based Chromebooks. At scale the savings can be significant. As an example, it’s feasible for an organization with 500 users to avoid 3,090 kgCO²e GHG scope 2 emissions every year. During a standard device lifetime ^[3], this is equal to the pollution created by almost 56,000 car miles and requires 18.5 acres of forest to remove the resulting carbon from our atmosphere.

While Chrome devices are sustainable endpoint computing solutions focused on reducing carbon footprint and electronic waste while saving energy ^[1,2,4], it is important to note that not all Chrome devices are built the same. In fact, MediaTek Kompanio-powered Chromebooks raise the environmental sustainability bar by providing superior energy efficiency savings. As such, considering that end user computing is responsible for 1% of all global GHG emissions ^[3], it is important that consumers factor that into their purchase decisions as reducing our carbon footprint and saving our precious planet is a responsibility to be shared by all.

For more information about MediaTek Kompanio-powered Chromebooks, click here.

[1] Sutton-Parker, J. (2020). ‘Determining end user computing device Scope 2 GHG emissions with accurate use phase energy consumption measurement.’ Amsterdam: Elsevier Procedia Computer Science.https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/procedia-computer-science/vol/175

[2] Sutton-Parker, J. (2022), ‘Quantifying greenhouse gas abatement delivered by alternative computer operating system displacement strategies’. 1877-0509. Procedia Computer Science, Volume 203, 2022, Pages 254-263. Amsterdam, the Netherlands: Science Direct, Elsevier B.V.

Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S187705092200638X

[3] Sutton-Parker, J. (2022), ‘Is sufficient carbon footprint information available to make sustainability focused computer procurement strategies meaningful?’. 1877-0509. Procedia Computer Science, Volume 203, 2022, Pages 280-289. Amsterdam, the Netherlands: Science Direct, Elsevier B.V.

Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S187705092200641X

[4] Sutton-Parker, J. (2022), 'Determining the impact of information technology greenhouse gas abatement at the Royal Borough of Kingston and Sutton Council’. 1877-0509. Procedia Computer Science, Volume 203, 2022, Pages 300-309. Amsterdam, the Netherlands: Science Direct, Elsevier B.V.

Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877050922006433

[5] Maximum TDP comparison between MediaTek Kompanio 500 (MT8183) (3.6W) and Intel® Celeron® Processor N4020 (6W).

Available at: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/products/sku/197310/intel-celeron-processor-n4020-4m-cache-up-to-2-80-ghz/specifications.html

[6] Maximum TDP comparison between MediaTek Kompanio 1380 (MT8195T) (6W) and Intel® Core™ i3-1110G4 Processor (15W).

Available at: https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/208651/intel-core-i31110g4-processor-6m-cache-up-to-3-90-ghz-with-ipu.html