A.

Product Types:

1.   Computer: A device which performs logical operations and processes data. For the purposes of this specification, computers include both stationary and portable units, including Desktop Computers, Integrated Desktop Computers, Notebook Computers, Small-Scale Servers, Thin Clients, and Workstations. Although computers are capable of using input devices and displays, such devices are not required to be included with the computer upon shipment. Computers are composed of, at a minimum:

2.   Desktop Computer: A computer whose main unit is designed to be located in a permanent location, often on a desk or on the floor. Desktop computers are not designed for portability and are designed for use with an external display, keyboard, and mouse. Desktop computers are intended for a broad range of home and office applications, including point of sale applications.

a)   Integrated Desktop Computer: A Desktop Computer in which the computing hardware and display are integrated into a single housing, and which is connected to ac mains power through a single cable. Integrated Desktop Computers come in one of two possible forms: (1) a system where the display and computer are physically combined into a single unit; or (2) a system packaged as a single system where the display is separate but is connected to the main chassis by a dc power cord and both the computer and display are powered from a single power supply. As a subset of Desktop Computers, Integrated Desktop Computers are typically designed to provide similar functionality as Desktop systems.

3.   Notebook Computer: A computer designed specifically for portability and to be operated for extended periods of time both with and without a direct connection to an ac mains power source. Notebook Computers include an Integrated Display, a non-detachable, mechanical keyboard (using physical, moveable keys), and pointing device.

Note: Notebook computers are typically designed to provide similar functionality to Desktops, including operation of software similar in functionality as that used in Desktops. For purposes of this specification, Notebook Computers include models with touch-sensitive screens.

a)   Mobile Thin Client: A computer meeting the definition of a Thin Client, designed specifically for portability, and also meeting the definition of a Notebook Computer. These products are considered to be Notebook Computers for the purposes of this specification.

b)   Two-In-One Notebook: A computer which resembles a traditional Notebook Computer with a clam shell form factor, but has a detachable display which can act as an independent Slate/Tablet when disconnected. The keyboard and display portions of the product must be shipped as an integrated unit. Two-In-One Notebooks are considered Notebooks in the remainder of this specification and are therefore not referenced explicitly.

4.   Slate/Tablet: A computing device designed for portability that meets all of the following criteria:

5.   Portable All-In-One Computer: A computing device designed for limited portability that meets all of the following criteria:

6.   E-Reader: A device designed for display and consumption of static images. The display is characterized by a low refresh rate and a display made of bistable materials where no energy is needed to maintain a visible image, only to alter the image.

7.   Small-scale Server: A computer that typically uses desktop components in a desktop form factor, but is designed primarily to be a storage host for other computers. Small-scale Servers are designed to perform functions such as providing network infrastructure services (e.g., archiving) and hosting data/media. These products are not designed to process information for other systems or run web servers as a primary function. A Small-scale Server has the following characteristics:

8.   Thin Client: An independently-powered computer that relies on a connection to remote computing resources (e.g., computer server, remote workstation) to obtain primary functionality. Main computing functions (e.g., program execution, data storage, interaction with other internet resources) are provided by the remote computing resources. Thin Clients covered by this specification are (1) limited to devices with no rotational storage media integral to the computer and (2) designed for use in a permanent location (e.g. on a desk) and not for portability.

a)   Integrated Thin Client: A Thin Client in which computing hardware and display are connected to ac mains power through a single cable. Integrated Thin Client computers come in one of two possible forms: (1) a system where the display and computer are physically combined into a single unit; or (2) a system packaged as a single system where the display is separate but is connected to the main chassis by a dc power cord and both the computer and display are powered from a single power supply. As a subset of Thin Clients, Integrated Thin Clients are typically designed to provide similar functionality as Thin Client systems.

b)   Ultra-thin Client: A computer with lesser local resources than a standard Thin Client that sends raw mouse and keyboard input to a remote computing resource and receives back raw video from the remote computing resource. Ultra-thin clients cannot interface with multiple devices simultaneously nor run windowed remote applications due to the lack of a user-discernible client operating system on the device (i.e., beneath firmware, user inaccessible).

9.   Workstation: A high-performance, single-user computer typically used for graphics, CAD, software development, financial and scientific applications among other compute intensive tasks. Workstations covered by this specification (a) are marketed as a workstation; (b) provide mean time between failures (MTBF) of at least 15 000 hours (based on either Bellcore TR-NWT-000332, issue 6, 12/97 or field collected data); and (c) support error-correcting code (ECC) and/or buffered memory. In addition, a workstation meets three or more of the following criteria:

B.

Product Category: A second-order classification or sub-type within a product type that is based on product features and installed components. Product categories are used in this specification to determine qualification and test requirements.

C.

Computer Components:

1.   Graphics Processing Unit (GPU): An integrated circuit, separate from the CPU, designed to accelerate the rendering of either 2D and/or 3D content to displays. A GPU may be mated with a CPU, on the system board of the computer or elsewhere to offload display capabilities from the CPU.

2.   Discrete Graphics (dGfx): A graphics processor (GPU) with a local memory controller interface and local graphics-specific memory.

3.   Integrated Graphics (iGfx): A graphics solution that does not contain Discrete Graphics.

4.   Display: A commercially-available product with a display screen and associated electronics, often encased in a single housing, that as its primary function displays visual information from (1) a computer, workstation or server via one or more inputs (e.g., VGA, DVI, HDMI, DisplayPort, IEEE 1394, USB), (2) external storage (e.g., USB flash drive, memory card), or (3) a network connection.

a)   Enhanced-performance Integrated Display: An integrated Computer Display that has all of the following features and functionalities:

5.   External Power Supply (EPS): Also referred to as External Power Adapter. An external power supply circuit that is used to convert household electric current into dc current or lower-voltage ac current to operate a consumer product.

6.   Internal Power Supply (IPS): A component internal to the computer casing and designed to convert ac voltage from the mains to dc voltage(s) for the purpose of powering the computer components. For the purposes of this specification, an internal power supply shall be contained within the computer casing but be separate from the main computer board. The power supply shall connect to the mains through a single cable with no intermediate circuitry between the power supply and the mains power. In addition, all power connections from the power supply to the computer components, with the exception of a DC connection to a display in an Integrated Desktop Computer, shall be internal to the computer casing (i.e., no external cables running from the power supply to the computer or individual components). Internal dc-to-dc converters used to convert a single dc voltage from an external power supply into multiple voltages for use by the computer are not considered internal power supplies.

D.

Operational Modes:

1.   Active State: The power state in which the computer is carrying out useful work in response to a) prior or concurrent user input or b) prior or concurrent instruction over the network. Active State includes active processing, seeking data from storage, memory, or cache, including Idle State time while awaiting further user input and before entering low power modes.

2.   Idle State: The power state in which the operating system and other software have completed loading, a user profile has been created, activity is limited to those basic applications that the system starts by default, and the computer is not in Sleep Mode. Idle State is composed of two sub-states: Short Idle and Long Idle.

a)   Long Idle: The mode where the Computer has reached an Idle condition (i.e., 15 minutes after OS boot or after completing an active workload or after resuming from Sleep Mode) and the main Computer Display has entered a low-power state where screen contents cannot be observed (i.e., backlight has been turned off) but remains in the working mode (ACPI G0/S0). If power management features are enabled as-shipped in the scenario described in this definition, such features shall engage prior to evaluation of Long Idle (e.g., display is in a low power state, HDD may have spun-down), but the Computer is prevented from entering Sleep Mode. PLONG_IDLE represents the average power measured when in the Long Idle Mode.

b)   Short Idle: The mode where the Computer has reached an Idle condition (i.e., 5 minutes after OS boot or after completing an active workload or after resuming from Sleep Mode), the screen is on, and Long Idle power management features have not engaged (e.g. HDD is spinning and the Computer is prevented from entering sleep mode). PSHORT_IDLE represents the average power measured when in the Short Idle mode.

3.   Off Mode: The lowest power mode which cannot be switched off (influenced) by the user and that may persist for an indefinite time when the appliance is connected to the main electricity supply and used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. For systems where ACPI standards are applicable, Off Mode correlates to ACPI System Level S5 state.

4.   Sleep Mode: A low power mode that the computer enters automatically after a period of inactivity or by manual selection. A computer with Sleep capability can quickly “wake” in response to network connections or user interface devices with a latency of less than or equal to 5 seconds from initiation of wake event to system becoming fully usable including rendering of display. For systems where ACPI standards are applicable, Sleep Mode most commonly correlates to ACPI System Level S3 (suspend to RAM) state.

E.

Networking and Additional Capabilities:

1.   Additional Internal Storage: Any and all internal hard disk drives (HDD) or solid state drives (SSD) shipping with a computer beyond the first. This definition does not include external drives.

2.   Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE): A technology which enables reduced power consumption of Ethernet interfaces during times of low data throughput. Specified by IEEE 802.3az.

3.   Full Network Connectivity: The ability of the computer to maintain network presence while in Sleep Mode or an alternative low power mode (LPM) with power less than or equal to 10 watts and intelligently wake when further processing is required (including occasional processing required to maintain network presence). Presence of the computer, its network services and applications, is maintained even though the computer is in a LPM. From the vantage point of the network, a computer with full network connectivity that is in LPM is functionally equivalent to an idle computer with respect to common applications and usage models. Full network connectivity in LPM is not limited to a specific set of protocols but can cover applications installed after initial installation. Also referred to as “network proxy” functionality and as described in the Ecma-393 standard.

a)   Network Proxy — Base Capability: To maintain addresses and presence on the network while in LPM, the system handles IPv4 ARP and IPv6 NS/ND.

b)   Network Proxy — Full Capability: While in LPM, the system supports Base Capability, Remote Wake, and Service Discovery/Name Services.

c)   Network Proxy — Remote Wake: While in LPM, the system is capable of remotely waking upon request from outside the local network. Includes Base Capability.

d)   Network Proxy — Service Discovery/Name Services: While in LPM, the system allows for advertising host services and network name. Includes Base Capability.

4.   Network Interface: The components (hardware and software) whose primary function is to make the computer capable of communicating over one or more network technologies. Examples of Network Interfaces are IEEE 802.3 (Ethernet) and IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi).

5.   Wake Event: A user, scheduled, or external event or stimulus that causes the computer to transition from Sleep Mode or Off Mode to an active state of operation. Examples of wake events include, but are not limited to: movement of the mouse, keyboard activity, controller input, real-time clock event, or a button press on the chassis, and in the case of external events, stimulus conveyed via a remote control, network, modem, etc.

6.   Wake On LAN (WOL): Functionality which allows a computer to transition from Sleep Mode or Off Mode to an Active State of operation when directed by a network Wake Event via Ethernet.

7.   Switchable Graphics: Functionality that allows Discrete Graphics to be disabled when not required in favour of Integrated Graphics.

Note: This functionality allows lower power and lower capability integrated GPUs to render the display while on battery or when the output graphics are not overly complex while then allowing the more power consumptive but more capable discrete GPU to provide rendering capability when the user requires it.

F.

Marketing and Shipment Channels:

1.   Enterprise Channels: Sales channels typically used by large and medium-sized business, government, educational, or other organizations to purchase computers for use in managed client/server environments.

2.   Model Name: A marketing name that includes reference to the computer model number, product description, or other branding references.

3.   Model Number: A unique marketing name or identification reference that applies to a specific hardware and software configuration (e.g., operating system, processor type, memory, GPU), and is either pre-defined or selected by a customer.

G.

Product Family: A high-level description referring to a group of computers sharing one chassis/motherboard combination that often contains hundreds of possible hardware and software configurations. Product models within a family differ from each other according to one or more characteristics or features that either (1) have no impact on product performance with regard to ENERGY STAR qualification criteria, or (2) are specified herein as acceptable variations within a product family. For Computers, acceptable variations within a product family include:

2.1.1.

Products that meet the definition of a Computer and one of the following Product Type definitions, as specified herein, are eligible for ENERGY STAR qualification, with the exception of products listed in Section 2.2:

2.2.1.

Products that are covered under other ENERGY STAR product specifications are not eligible for qualification under this specification. The list of specifications currently in effect can be found at www.energystar.gov/products.

2.2.2.

The following products are not eligible for qualification under this specification:

3.1.1.

All calculations shall be carried out with directly measured (unrounded) values.

3.1.2.

Unless otherwise specified in this specification, compliance with specification limits shall be evaluated using directly measured or calculated values without any benefit from rounding.

3.1.3.

Directly measured or calculated values that are submitted for reporting on the ENERGY STAR website shall be rounded to the nearest significant digit as expressed in the corresponding specification limit.

3.2.1.

Internal Power Supply (IPS) Requirements: IPSs used in Computers eligible under this specification must meet the following requirements when tested using the Generalized Internal Power Supply Efficiency Test Protocol, Rev. 6.6 (available at http://www.plugloadsolutions.com/docs/collatrl/print/Generalized_Internal_Power_Supply_Efficiency_Test_Protocol_R6.6.pdf) and tested at the relevant input voltage/frequency combination for each market in which they will be sold and promoted as ENERGY STAR..

Table 1

Requirements for Internal Power Supplies

3.2.2.

External Power Supply (EPS) Requirements: Single- and Multiple-voltage EPSs shall meet the Level V or greater performance requirements under the International Efficiency Marking Protocol when tested according to the Uniform Test Method for Measuring the Energy Consumption of External Power Supplies, Appendix Z to 10 CFR Part 430.

3.3.1.

Products shall include power management features in their “as-shipped” condition as specified in Table 2, subject to the following conditions:

Table 2

Power Management Requirements

3.4.1.

Products shall be shipped with informational materials to notify customers of the following:

3.4.2.

Products shall be shipped with one or more of the following:

3.4.3.

Provisions 3.4.1 and 3.4.2 may be met through use of either electronic or printed product documentation, provided it adheres to all of the following:

3.5.1.

Calculated Typical Energy Consumption (ETEC) for Desktop, Integrated Desktop, and Notebook Computers per Equation 1 shall be less than or equal to the maximum TEC requirement (ETEC_MAX) per Equation 2, subject to the following requirements:

—

POFF = Measured power consumption in Off Mode (W);

—

PSLEEP = Measured power consumption in Sleep Mode (W);

—

PLONG_IDLE = Measured power consumption in Long Idle Mode (W);

—

PSHORT_IDLE = Measured power consumption in Short Idle Mode (W); and

—

TOFF , TSLEEP , TLONG_IDLE , and TSHORT_IDLE are mode weightings as specified in Table 3 (for Desktops, Integrated Desktops, and Thin Clients) or Table 4 (for Notebooks).

—

ALLOWANCEPSU is an allowance provided to power supplies that meet the optional more stringent efficiency levels specified in Table 5; power supplies that do not meet the requirements receive an allowance of 0;

—

TECBASE is the Base allowance specified in Table 6; and,

—

TECGRAPHICS is the discrete graphics allowance as specified in Table 7, with the exception of systems with integrated graphics, which do not receive an allowance, or Desktops and Integrated Desktops with switchable graphics enabled by default, which receive an allowance through TECSWITCHABLE; and

—

TECMEMORY , TECSTORAGE , TECINT_DISPLAY , TECSWITCHABLE , and TECEEE are adder allowances as specified in Table 7.

—

d is the diagonal of the screen, in inches;

3.6.1.

Slates/Tablets shall follow all of the requirements for Notebook Computers in Section 3.5 above, including calculations of the following:

3.6.2.

Portable All-In-One Computers shall follow all of the requirements for Integrated Desktop Computers in Section 3.5 above, including calculation of the following:

3.7.1.

Weighted power consumption (PTEC) as calculated per Equation 4 shall be less than or equal to the maximum weighted power consumption requirement (PTEC_MAX) as calculated per Equation 5.

Equation 4: PTEC Calculation for Workstations

PTEC = POFF × TOFF  + PSLEEP × TSLEEP  + PLONG_IDLE × TLONG_IDLE + PSHORT_IDLE × TSHORT_IDLE

Where:

Table 8

Mode Weightings for Workstations

Equation 5: PTEC_MAX Calculation for Workstations

PTEC_MAX  = 0,28×(PMAX  + NHDD × 5) + 8,76×PEEE × (TSLEEP  + TLONG_IDLE  + TSHORT_IDLE )

Where:

3.7.2.

Active State Benchmark: To be ENERGY STAR qualified, a Workstation must be submitted for qualification with the following information disclosed in full:

3.7.3.

Desktop Workstations: Products marketed as workstations may be ENERGY STAR qualified under the Desktop requirements in Section 3.5 instead of the Workstation requirements in Section 3.6, at the Partner's option. EPA or the European Commission will identify Workstations qualified as Desktops as “Desktops” in all ENERGY STAR marketing materials, on qualified product lists, etc.

3.8.1.

Measured Off Mode power (POFF) shall be less than or equal to the Maximum Off Mode Power Requirement(POFF_MAX), as calculated per Equation 6, subject to the following requirements:

Equation 6: Calculation of POFF_MAX for Small-scale Servers

POFF_MAX = POFF_BASE  + POFF_WOL

Where:

Table 9

Off Mode Power Allowances for Small-scale Servers

3.8.2.

Measured Long Idle State power (PLONG_IDLE) shall be less than or equal to the Maximum Idle State Power Requirement (PIDLE_MAX), as calculated per Equation 7.

Equation 7: Calculation of PIDLE_MAX for Small-scale Servers

PIDLE_MAX = PIDLE_BASE + (N – 1) × PIDLE_HDD  + PEEE

Where:

Table 10

Idle Mode Power Allowances for Small-scale Servers

3.9.1.

Calculated Typical Energy Consumption (ETEC) per Equation 1 shall be less than or equal to the Maximum TEC Requirement (ETEC_MAX), as calculated per Equation 8, subject to the following requirements.

Equation 8: Calculation of ETEC_MAX for Thin Clients

ETEC_MAX = TECBASE  + TECGRAPHICS  + TECWOL  + TECINT_DISPLAY  + TECEEE

Where:

Table 11

Adder Allowances for Thin Clients

4.1.1.

For products placed on the market of the European Union manufacturers are required to perform tests and self-certify those models that meet ENERGY STAR guidelines. When testing Computer products, the test methods identified in Table 12 shall be used to determine ENERGY STAR qualification.

Table 12

Test Methods for ENERGY STAR Qualification

4.2.1.

Representative Models shall be selected for testing per the following requirements:

Note: Workstations that meet ENERGY STAR requirements with a single graphics device may also have a configuration with more than one graphics device be ENERGY STAR qualified, provided the additional hardware configuration is identical with the exception of the additional graphics device(s). The use of multiple graphics includes, but is not limited to, driving multiple displays and ganging for high performance, multi-GPU configurations (e.g. ATI Crossfire, NVIDIA SLI). In such cases, and until such time as SPECviewperf® supports multiple graphics threads, manufacturers may submit the test data for the workstation with the single graphics device for both configurations without retesting the system.

4.2.2.

A single unit of each Representative Model shall be selected for testing.

4.2.3.

All units/configurations for which a Partner is seeking ENERGY STAR qualification, must meet the ENERGY STAR requirements. However, if a Partner wishes to qualify configurations of a model for which non-ENERGY STAR qualified alternative configurations exist, the Partner must assign the qualified configurations an identifier in the model name/number that is unique to ENERGY STAR qualified configurations. This identifier must be used consistently in association with the qualified configurations in marketing/sales materials and on the ENERGY STAR list of qualified products (e.g. model A1234 for baseline configurations and A1234-ES for ENERGY STAR qualified configurations).

Note: There may be cases—as described in the paragraph above—where not all units/configurations will meet ENERGY STAR requirements. If so, the worst-case configuration for test will be the worst-case qualified configuration, and not one of the presumably even higher-energy consuming non-qualified configurations.

4.3.1.

Products shall be tested for qualification at the relevant input voltage/frequency combination for each market in which they will be sold and promoted as ENERGY STAR.

4.4.1.

If a manufacturing Partner is hired by a customer to load a custom image on an ENERGY STAR qualified computer, the Partner shall take the following steps:

5.1.1.

Manufacturers are encouraged to design products in accordance with the user interface standard IEEE 1621: Standard for User Interface Elements in Power Control of Electronic Devices Employed in Office/Consumer Environments. For details, see http://eetd.LBL.gov/Controls.

6.1.1.

The date that manufacturers may begin to qualify products as Energy Star under this Version 6.1, will be defined as the effective date of the Agreement. To be ENERGY STAR qualified, a product model shall meet the ENERGY STAR specification in effect on its date of manufacture. The date of manufacture is specific to each unit and is the date on which a unit is considered to be completely assembled.

6.1.2.

Future Specification Revisions: EPA and the European Commission reserves the right to change this specification should technological and/or market changes affect its usefulness to consumers, industry, or the environment. In keeping with current policy, revisions to the specification are arrived at through stakeholder discussions. In the event of a specification revision, please note that the ENERGY STAR qualification is not automatically granted for the life of a product model.