We wanted to know, so we asked Gemini for its advice on our laptop models and it shared some helpful guidance and data. This was validated by IS staff prior to publishing to campus.
Key information on environmental impact of Wake Forest-managed laptop standard models is listed, below. Ultimately, true impact in using these devices depends on the nature and frequency of utilization the processing load one places on the device (additional discussion at the bottom of this page). Varying levels of power are needed depending on the use. To make the most of the energy you consume for computing:
- close open tabs and apps - every open tab is similar to an open installed app on your laptop in the way it uses energy.
- make use of power efficient settings to sleep and shut down
- unplug power supplies when not in use
- learn more about how you can help the environment:
- More resources from the Wake Forest University Office of Sustainability and subscribe to their newsletter.
Environmental Ratings Comparison
The most energy-intensive phase of a computer's lifecycle is its manufacturing. Information in this table was sourced using the Global Electronic Council's EPEAT product finder.
| Feature | Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (Gen 13) | Apple MacBook Air (M4) |
| EPEAT Tier | Gold | Gold |
| EPEAT Optional Score | Generally achieves 75% to 85% of optional points (Example models show 42 out of 49 points or similar). | Generally achieves 75% to 80% of optional points (Example models show 38 out of 48 points). |
| EPEAT Climate+ | Achieved (This is an extra certification for lower-carbon products) | (Not explicitly listed in the registry data, but Apple's PER focuses heavily on carbon.) |
| ENERGY STAR Certified | Yes (Gen 12 is certified) | Yes (13-inch and 15-inch M4 models are certified) |
| TEC (Typical Energy Consumption) | Example model: 22.2 kWh/year | Example model (13-inch): 8.1 kWh/year |
Note on Models: The specific generation/configuration affects the exact score. Data for the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 and the MacBook Air M4 (13-inch and 15-inch) were used as the latest available. TEC (Typical Energy Consumption) values are highly configuration-dependent.
Analysis of the Ratings
EPEAT Gold Standard
Both laptops achieve the EPEAT Gold rating, which is the highest tier.1 This means both models meet all the mandatory environmental criteria, which cover material selection, product longevity, end-of-life management, corporate performance, and packaging.
Energy Efficiency (ENERGY STAR & TEC)
The most striking difference is the Typical Energy Consumption (TEC):
The MacBook Air M4 shows a significantly lower TEC value (e.g., 8.1 kWh/year for the 13-inch model) compared to the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 (e.g., 22.2 kWh/year).
Apple explicitly states that the M4 MacBook Air consumes 65% less energy than the ENERGY STAR requirement. This dramatically lower operating power consumption is a major environmental benefit, largely due to the highly efficient design of Apple's M-series chips.
🌱 Additional Environmental Focus
Lenovo X1 Carbon: Focuses on durability and is certified EPEAT Climate+, which means it has met additional, stricter criteria for lower carbon footprint (e.g., using low-carbon energy in manufacturing and transportation).
Apple MacBook Air M4: Focuses on recycled content (e.g., 100% recycled aluminum enclosure) and minimal operating energy draw.
âš¡ Tips to Reduce Energy Consumption from Computing
Computers, monitors, and data centers use significant electricity, which often comes from fossil fuels. Small changes in habits can reduce your carbon footprint and electricity bill.
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Maintain Device Health:
Keep it Clean: Regularly clean dust from fans and vents to maintain proper cooling and prevent overheating, which degrades components.
Protect Batteries: For laptops, avoid leaving the charger plugged in 24/7, as this can degrade the battery faster.
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Manage Power Settings:
Enable your operating system's power-saving mode (e.g., Windows "Balanced" or macOS "Energy Saver").
Set the monitor to sleep after a short period (15 minutes or less) of inactivity, as the monitor is often the largest power user.
Avoid using screen savers; they prevent the monitor from entering low-power mode and can actually use more energy than just letting the screen go black.
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Turn it Off (Completely):
Shut down your computer when you're done for the day or weekend, rather than leaving it in Sleep or Standby mode.
Use a smart power strip to completely cut power to all peripherals (monitor, speakers, printer) when you turn off the computer, eliminating "phantom load" (energy devices consume even when turned off).
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Optimize Peripherals and Use:
Lower Monitor Brightness: Reducing brightness from 100% to 70% can save a significant amount of energy.
Unplug chargers when the device is fully charged or not connected.
Choose Energy Star certified products, which meet strict energy efficiency guidelines
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