Enterprises with an abundance of Windows XP desktop PCs and laptops can reduce power consumption costs and carbon dioxide emissions by half in switching to Windows Vista. In this research note, we describe the results of lab tests performed by Info-Tech Research Group that compare power consumption for Windows XP versus Windows Vista.
Main points of discussion include:
- The power consumption of XP and Vista under high and low power states.
- The effect of Aero on Vista power consumption.
- Improvements of sleep mode in Windows Vista.
- Group Policy differences between XP and Vista.
- Power running costs of XP and Vista under two scenarios.
- How power consumption translates into carbon dioxide emission reductions.
This note discusses only one aspect of an upgrade, which is the change in power consumption of the OS; it does not focus on the broader issue of the total cost of ownership analysis of a potential upgrade to Windows Vista.
