The amount of energy used during the active mode of desktop and notebook computers is an important consideration in overall computer energy efficiency. Despite this, active mode energy efficiency is not addressed by any major energy efficiency initiative. Hurdles to the inclusion of active mode energy efficiency appear to stem from a desire not to adversely impact computational performance and a lack of suitable test procedures. It is shown that some computer performance benchmark applications on the market may hold promise to support the inclusion of active mode energy efficiency specifications within energy efficiency initiatives, but that further work is required in the area. It is also shown that through the development of a simplistic test procedure, active mode energy efficiencies can, to a certain extent, be addressed in environmental initiatives therein encouraging further energy efficiency improvements without impacting computational performance.