I wrote an article about the need for low-carbon and #sustainable #computing and the path towards zero-carbon computing.
In short, we need to dramatically limit the growth in emissions from computing, or by 2040 emissions from computing alone will be close to half the emissions level acceptable to keep global warming below 2°C.
And it is possible to do this.
https://wimvanderbauwhede.github.io/articles/frugal-computing/
@zleap See http://www.eeb.org/coolproducts-report for more details on how long you have to use a device from an emissions perspective.
@zleap It is almost always the case that the emissions caused by producing the newer, more energy efficient computer outweigh the energy gain due to its improved efficiency.
For a typical laptop you'd have to use it more than 10 years to break even.
So using the old computers for as long as possible is the best thing you can do.