Building a new computer requires 10 years worth of power

I slobber over new computers as much as anyone... but I've never really stopped to think about the environmental and energy impact that actually building that computer entails as an alternative to using my old computer for longer.

According to Ecogeek, the true cost of a new computer in energy terms is astounding: It takes as much energy to building one computer as it does to run one for 10 full years. That's a phenomenal figure, one which should give any would-be computer buyer pause.

One thing not mentioned, however, is that newer computers tend to use less power than older ones, so there are potential cost and energy savings to be found by upgrading (though perhaps not 10 years worth of savings). And while reinstalling your OS, adding RAM, and generally cleaning out your system can definitely reinvigorate an older computer, these tricks won't work 100 percent of the time. I'd be wiping the hard drive and reinstalling Windows on my current laptop right now if it wasn't about to literally fall apart due to a broken LCD bezel that prevents it from closing and a growing crack in the base that threatens to dump the computer's contents into my lap one of these days.

That said, with the 220 million tons of e-waste generated annually in the country (also per the story linked below), maybe a little duct tape and super glue would have been the more environmentally conscious choice.