Why We Need a Second Moore's Law

Roland Piquepaille writes "In its April issue, Wired Magazine argues that we need a second Moore's law, this time about overall efficiencies of our computers and other electronic devices. The subtitle of the article summarizes it: "If we don't do something about increasing battery life, we're toast." Michael S. Malone, the author, says that the first Moore's law is endangered, not because the semiconductor industry cannot build new generation of chips, but because we will not be able to provide them with enough power. And he contends that the problem arises from the fact that we are using more and more wireless devices, which obviously are not connected to a plug. This overview contains selected excerpts of this eye-opening article."

Comments

Steve's been listening for awhile...

[Delta-9]

Which is why my powerbook battery lasts so damn long. One of the many reasons I am using it now more often than any windows-based laptop I have ever owned and/or used.

Don't bother arguing speed, saying that the powerbook is years behind in MHz, etc. The powerbook is just better optimized to use less power and run longer.

Re:Human hampster wheel/windmill thingies...?

[dasmegabyte]

I've thought about that. The problem is...well, there are several.

1) The energy produced by pedaling a bicycle with idle resistance is relatively low. And the resistance required to produce real power makes the pedaling uncomfortably difficult. Ever ridden the "light cycle" at a kid's museum -- the bike attached to a lightbulb? To get the equivalent glow of a 40W bulb, you have to pedal like a madman. Your processor alone expects up to 2 times that.

2) You'd have to connect the pedal portion to the chair, or it wouldn't be stable. Which means you've got a chair with a 4 foot extension on the front of it, plus pedals. Not many people want that in their computer room.

3) Sweat is inevitable, and that leads to smelly, sticky keyboards, chairs, and rooms in general.

If you want to work out while computing, get yourself a dumbbell. There's a lot of evidence that shows a good lifting session is more effective at burning calories and of course building muscle than a low impact cardio workout. Of course, the best solution of all is both...so spend a half hour in front of the PC, working on your arms, shoulders, back and chest, then take a nice half hour jog. I guarantee you'll solve some of your computer problems while you're running, too.