If you've ever been shopping for a computer, you're probably aware of the overwhelming options available. How much memory do you want? What's the perfect screen size? How many organs will you have to sell to afford it all? Aside from the obvious questions to ask when looking into your choices, the one nagging question may still be which option is greener: a laptop or a desktop?

Laptops actually consume 50 to 80 per cent less energy than a desktop. If the compact, transportable features of a laptop just aren't for you, there are still ways you can save energy while using a desktop:

- Use the 'sleep mode' option if you're going to a meeting or otherwise going to be away from your desk for 10 minutes or longer.

- LCD flat screens use 50 to 70 per cent less energy than CRT monitors.

- Regardless of what type of monitor you go with, ensure you turn it off if you plan to leave your computer for longer than a couple of minutes.

- Use a power bar to shut the whole thing down when you're finished using it for the day. This will ensure your CPU, monitor and peripherals aren't unneccesarily still consuming energy when you've shut your machine off.

For further information, check out the Green Electronics Guide, created and updated annually by Greenpeace, to find out which manufacturers aren't the most eco-friendly.

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