I remember typing a report on a typewriter. I was probably in third grade, and I used so much whiteout that it pretty much covered the entire page. Having a computer has gone from being a luxury to a necessity. How else will you be able to help your child research a paper on the Revolutionary war at ten PM on a Sunday night?

EnergyStar just came out with a list of computers that meet their new standards. The stricter standards will reduce energy consumption over the next five years in an amount equal to the annual emissions of 2.7 million vehicles. So check the list before you buy.

Here are a few more purchasing pointers:

• As a general rule, laptops use less energy than desktops.
• Buy refurbished when you can.
• Check out the computer company’s take-back policy for recycling when your computer is no longer useful to you.
• Before you buy a new computer, see if repair or upgrade on your current computer is an option.