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How much would it cost?

If I were to leave my laptop on, plugged in (without battery), overnight to keep my shop open in the FM, how much more money would it cost me in electricity a month, approximately, compared to just playing a few hours a day?

I can leave it on its lowest settings to use less electricity.
I am using an HP Notebook 4420s and Windows 7, if that matters.

September 24, 2012

11 Comments • Newest first

FeintHorus

[quote=iGotPlayed]Sir laptops hibernate when you close the lid o.o. OT: It'd cost less to pay extra on the electrical bill than buying a 1 month mushy to do the job. I don't do it though since I think its hard on my laptop running MS nearly all day long. I'm no expert but I think that's how I busted my desktop.[/quote]

Laptops do not always hibernate when you close the lid. There are settings for that.

OT:

The electricity cost of a running laptop is very low. The average laptop runs about 15 - 60 watts per hour.
The LCD takes up most of that so if you turn off the screen (there should be a key to toggle that) it should be at the lower end of those numbers.

Let's assume your laptop will run at 35 watts/hour with the screen off. That will be a total of 35(watts)*24(hours)*31(days) = 26040 = 26 kilowatts per month

Assuming 0.15 per kilowatt (which is considered high) that will be a total of 3.9 or around $4 for the entire month.
That is MUCH lower than the cost of a hideously overpriced 30-day Mushie.

That said, laptop wear should be also be factored in. If you're going to attempt this I would advise you invest in a good laptop cooler fan (about $10 - $15).
Don't worry, the relative operation cost will still be low (fans are very low power appliances) and total cost will be under $10 even with 24/7 use.

It is also recommended to turn off your laptop for 30 - 60 minutes every 8 - 12 hours to let the circuits rest, especially if there's a video card in it.
Finally, you should set the laptop in a cool dry place for maximum low-energy performance and general longevity.

PS: The above is for Laptops only. Desktops cost significantly more to operate (although prolly still less than the cost of an Elf shop).

Reply September 26, 2012 - edited
MegaSonic

[quote=Pirata]It won't explode for only 1 day...[/quote]

he didnt say 1 day, he said 24/7 for 1 month

Reply September 26, 2012 - edited
iGotPlayed

[quote=xbanxditx]I don't know if this works, but maybe You could Try to leave maple open And close the laptop with maple open. Test it out in a random fm room first[/quote]

Sir laptops hibernate when you close the lid o.o. OT: It'd cost less to pay extra on the electrical bill than buying a 1 month mushy to do the job. I don't do it though since I think its hard on my laptop running MS nearly all day long. I'm no expert but I think that's how I busted my desktop.

Reply September 24, 2012 - edited
ox0Shad0w0xo

@QuackOutLoud It works if you change the laptop setting to not go to sleep when you close the laptop.

@OT I didn't even know some isp's had limits on usage per month o.o

Reply September 24, 2012 - edited
MegaSonic

@heydude111: i wouldnt be concerned about the electricity as much as your laptop blowing up

thats too much stress for anything to go through

Reply September 24, 2012 - edited
QuackOutLoud

[quote=xbanxditx]I don't know if this works, but maybe You could Try to leave maple open And close the laptop with maple open. Test it out in a random fm room first[/quote]

Never works with Laptops.
Laptops disconnect from Maple when they go to sleep/sometime screensavers too.
I know that desktops are able to run Maple while sleeping/standby.

Reply September 24, 2012 - edited
xbanxditx

I don't know if this works, but maybe You could Try to leave maple open And close the laptop with maple open. Test it out in a random fm room first

Reply September 24, 2012 - edited
heydude111

[quote=Ecyz]I'd be more concerned with the internet usage, unless you have unlimited.[/quote]

Limit is 120 GB a month. I use 80 GB a month. I won't go over.

Reply September 24, 2012 - edited
Ecyz

[quote=heydude111]Like brightness down and whatever I can find to turn down
EDIT: Well, would it cost a lot of money to keep my laptop on?[/quote]
I'd be more concerned with the internet usage, unless you have unlimited.

Reply September 24, 2012 - edited
heydude111

[quote=Ecyz]That would depend where you live and what your Hydro provider is...and even then nobody here can help you with that.
EDIT: What did you mean by "lowest settings"?[/quote]

Like brightness down and whatever I can find to turn down
EDIT: Well, would it cost a lot of money to keep my laptop on?

Reply September 24, 2012 - edited
Ecyz

That would depend where you live and what your Hydro provider is...and even then nobody here can help you with that.
EDIT: What did you mean by "lowest settings"?

Reply September 24, 2012 - edited