Laptop power use when charging

[SVOboy]

I think Z asked me about this a while back...

My laptop uses about 19-23 watts in normal use, when charging the battery from empty it uses 40 through the first 40%, 12 up until about 80%, and then 5%. This roughly reflects the speed in which it charges.

[Lazarus]

Originally Posted by SVOboy

I think Z asked me about this a while back...

My laptop uses about 19-23 watts in normal use, when charging the battery from empty it uses 40 through the first 40%, 12 up until about 80%, and then 5%. This roughly reflects the speed in which it charges.

And for comparison who much energy does the desktop use

[SVOboy]

Haven't used one in 2 years, , so I have no idea. I would wager a fair bit more.

[trebuchet03]

I'll let you know within a week - unless someone beats me to it

I'll do desktop + CRT monitor and desktop + LCD (for better comparison)

[roflwaffle]

My 19" CRTs use ~60W each, so going with an LCD is cost prohibitive...
My old PIII uses ~70W at full usage, my Sempron64 ~120W, and the PIV uses ~160W. I just nabbed a C7 mobo combo, a serial receiver, and a gig of ram for ~$110 shipped, which I'm gonna replace most of what the Sempron64 and PIII do. Should pay itself off in a half year or so.

[Erdrick]

My laptop uses 25-35 watts depending on what it is doing. It is a Dell, and it was one of the ones affected by the battery problem. So... I don't even use a battery anymore. It is too large to drag around with me anyways. 17" monitor and weight to the sucker.

I am waiting about another year for desktops to get more efficient. The new Intel processors just sip the electricity, and put out really decent numbers. I just can't get by with a laptop. To me, there is a big hit in usability that comes with trading in the desktop for a laptop.

[trebuchet03]

So while at home - I measured one of my parents' desktops.... I meant to do both LCD and CRT - but I totally forgot to measure the LCD :/


Desktop HP a305 (kinda old - but works well for light duty purposes)
Celeron 2.70/2.69GHz
256 RAM
XP SP2
17" CRT (e-machines)

Stand By (Things off - plugged in)
Computer
1W

Monitor
3W

Computer + Monitor
4W


Monitor On (self test) - Computer off (plugged in)
49W



ON

Startup w/ monitor
90-125W

Idle w/ monitor
~78W


Complete Stand By as Per Operating System

6W



320Gig External HD

17W (33W while spinning up)

-----
They just bought a new machine (Intel Core2 - 3Gig Memory - 22" LCD) I'll test that next time I'm home... They have another machine that has a 17" LCD - I'll test that too....

[Ryland]

My laptop draws 20 watts to charge the battery and will charge the battery from 98% discharge in two hours, after that it draws 6-7 watts while on with the web browser running, one watt less if I turn the backlight on the monitor off, it seems to be able to run for 3-4 hours just off the battery.

[SVOboy]

That's pretty sweet! What kinda laptop is it?

PS: Welcome to the site,

[Ryland]

Originally Posted by SVOboy

That's pretty sweet! What kinda laptop is it?

http://www.laptop.org