HP desktop models cut power bills

Improved power supplies cut the power used by selected HP desktops, but cost extra to buy

HP has launched energy-efficient desktop PCs that can reduce overall system power consumption by as much as 52 percent and cut a company’s annual electricity bill by about $13.60 (£7) per desktop, according to the vendor.

Available immediately, the energy-efficient systems consist of select models of the HP Compaq dc5700, dc5750 and dc7700 desktop range. The machines are fitted with an 80 percent efficient power supply, conforming to the US Government’s new Energy Star 4.0 regulations that come into force this year.

However, in the UK, only the HP Compaq dc7700 is currently available in this configuration. Alex Ebeid, HP business desktops category manager for UK and Ireland, said the dc7700 is HP’s biggest-selling business PC, and that it has been has chosen to test market acceptance of the energy-efficient configuration. If it is successful, the company plans to expand the range to include other models.

HP said the cost savings in the systems come not only from the more efficient power supply, but also from increased reliability, and reduced maintenance and air-conditioning costs.

The energy-efficient dc7700 is available only under HP’s Top Config build-to-order programme, but Ebeid said it may be opened up to all sales channels. The 80 percent efficient power supply adds about £20 to the cost of the system, he said.

The HP Compaq dc7700 systems are available in mini-tower, small form-factor desktop and ultra-slim desktop designs, with Pentium D or Core 2 Duo processors and up to 4GB of memory.