Survey Results

Demographics
The survey involved 72 responses from students in the Electrical Engineering/Computer Science, Management, Economics, and Biology departments.
Approximately 77% and 23% of respondents were male and female respectively.
The questions asked of students are listed below.

Question: What are the Top 3 Activities You Use Your Computer For?

An overwhelming number of students stated that they use their computer for email/web use and then writing, music and instant messaging. For many students, however, their use of their computer did not involve processing intense applications. Many students who responded with "Other" cited computer programming and work for a job as an activity.

Question: Do you Leave Your Computer On Even When You are Not Using It?

Figure 1: Percent of Students Who Leave Their Computer
On When they are Not Using It.

79 % of the students surveyed stated that they leave their computer on when they were not using it. Some students responded that they did this in part because of the convenience. Others said that since they did not directly pay for electricity (MIT Dormitories charge a one time fee for each term including utilities opposed to monthly payments and separate line items for utilities). A few students stated that they like to leave their computer on even when they are not there so that their friends and contacts on instant messaging programs (such as AOL IM) will know when they are idle. One student stated that their Eudora program downloads all their mail for them on to their home computer making it convenient to leave their computer on so that it can pick up all their mail.

Question: Would you be willing to stop using your computer or delay purchasing a computer
and use Athena and a free PDA-like Device provided by MIT?

76 % of respondents stated that they would not be willing to give up using their computers to use only Athena and a PDA. Many students who already owned a computer stated that it would change their lifestyle too much. Others stated that they used their computers far too much and like being in their room when they use it.

Nearly a quarter of respondents indicated that they would be willing to use only athena and a free PDA. Some of these respondents commented that they did not currently own a computer while others stated that they already used Athena frequently for specific programs related to classwork.

Question: What do you plan to do with your computer when it becomes obsolete?

Nearly an equal number of people said that they would throw their computer away as those that stated they would save it once it becomes obsolete. Only 10% of respondents stated that they would recycle their computer.

Next Section: Analysis of Results