Laptop vs Desktop: A showdown of Energy Consumption

Author: Janey

Jul. 02, 2024

Laptop vs Desktop: A showdown of Energy Consumption

Over the years, the thrive in technology has been swift and how! With that, the world has turned to Laptops or Desktops for work purposes, education, or simply to indulge in a fun gaming sesh. However, one decade-long debate that still makes you scratch your head when you set out to buy them is: which one is better suited for you? Or for that matter, how do you even tell the two apart?

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There are many factors to be considered when you're looking to navigate the difference such as price, portability, space, and upgrade. But one factor that we often fail to reflect on is the energy consumption of Laptop vs Desktop. The skyrocketing power bills, after all, have lately been no ordinary concern for Aussies.

While we can&#;t rescue your pockets entirely from them, we sure can help you save some hard-earned bucks by walking you through the ultimate showdown of Laptop vs Desktop: energy consumption.

Laptop vs Desktop: Which is more Energy Efficient?

We have laid out a few parameters that compare the energy consumption of laptop vs desktop side by side. Take a quick look at our comparative analysis and judge the more energy-efficient device yourself:

1. The Energy Consumption 

First and foremost, the energy consumption of laptop vs desktop largely differs from one another. It is typically measured in watts, i.e., the standard unit of power. 

Laptop 

A Laptop takes the bigger piece of the cake in this battle since it is known to consume 80% less electricity than desktop. Figuratively speaking, it takes up anywhere between 15 to 60 Watts. So, if say, the laptop is running straight for eight hours in a day, its consumption would vary between 150 to 300 kWh/year. However, remember that you have the option to decrease this laptop power usage by switching to power saver modes. 

Desktop 

A Desktop, on the other hand, consumes an average of 60 to 250 Watts of electricity. In case you&#;re confused, let us break it to you that this PC power consumption is the complete sum of the average consumption of the computer, the internet modem, the loudspeakers, and the printer. 

2. The Power Supply Unit 

Simply put, a power supply unit is a hardware device that helps supply power to your electronic system, be it a laptop or desktop. In technical terms, it converts AC to DC to power up your device. 

Laptop 

Laptops draw power from smaller PSUs, i.e., anywhere between 30 to 90 watts. That sheds light on the fact that their maximum power consumption is bound to this limit and hence, has lower potential. Not just that, they generally also include substantially slower-performing CPUs and components 

Desktop 

In contrast to Laptops, Desktops draw power from larger supply units, i.e., about 300 watts or even more, hence going far beyond their system requirements. Common desktops only require an energy draw of around 170 watts to peak. However, performance desktops may surprise you with their whopping draw of 400 Wh at full load. 

3. The Battery Use 

When not plugged into an electric socket, your electronic appliance may run on energy stored in the battery. Here is how it differs in Laptops and Desktops: 

Laptop 

Laptops are designed in such a way that they can operate solely on battery backup for hours even when not connected to a power outlet. What&#;s more, they also impress with an extended battery life. The secret behind that is simple: either it already comes with an in-built battery that is larger and more capable or the laptop&#;s hardware is designed to be more energy efficient or eat up less energy. Any which way, your laptop power usage tends to be relatively less thanks to this. 

Desktop 

Desktops usually require a permanent power supply which implies that PC electricity usage is constant, regardless of whether it is in sleep or standby mode. It is often recommended to install a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) to help prevent system crashes during sudden power cuts. It also offers the benefit of power backup to desktop but it is often very limited. However, be prepared to witness higher electricity bills since that also means that you require more power to charge and maintain the UPS&#; battery. 

4. The Difference in Processing Unit 

The CPUs and other components consume a lot of energy and put out a lot of heat in return. Here is how the energy consumption of laptop vs desktop differs as a result: 

Laptop 

The CPUs in Laptops are designed to be substantially slower. Moreover, they also have in-built graphics processing unit that is meant to be more energy-efficient, thus further reducing laptops&#; power usage. 

Desktop 

The processing units in Desktops, on the other hand, are infamous for consuming relatively more energy. 

5. The Standby Power Consumption 

When an electronic device is plugged in but not actively in use, the energy that it still consumes is known as standby or vampire power. It makes a bigger difference than you may think: 

Laptop 

The advantage of operating laptops is that they are designed with power-saving features that allow them to enter low-power states more efficiently than desktop computers. In turn, the laptop energy consumption tends to be less when it is in sleep mode or hibernation. 

Desktop 

The advantage in Laptops is the disadvantage in Desktops. They are typically plugged into a power source and not optimized for low-power states. Hence, they may consume more power on stand-by mode. 

How to save energy with your existing Desktop Computer? 

  1. Set your desktop computer to &#;Sleep Mode&#; if you&#;re not going to use it for more than a few minutes. Yes, it will still consume energy, but the energy consumption is less compared to your desktop's inactive state. 
  2. Do not choose the best quality and expensive video cards unless you work in the graphics or video industry since video cards are one of the most energy-consuming components of a desktop. 
  3. Avoid using screensavers. They don&#;t have any function that is useful for your computer and will help you to save energy. 
  4. Try to avoid turning your desktop computer on and off repeatedly if it&#;s unnecessary. Starting up is one of the biggest energy draws for a desktop computer. 
  5. Do not leave your desktop computer on throughout the night, this will save you some bucks. 

Final Verdict: Energy Consumption of Laptop vs Desktop  

To keep the long story short, in the battle of the more energy-efficient appliance between laptop and desktop, the former is the clear winner. PCs may come with their fair share of benefits but being energy-efficient isn&#;t one of them. So, now when you&#;re looking to cut down on your power bills, turning to laptops should be a no-brainer.  

Moreover, Econnex is right by your side to help you compare your electricity and gas rates so you can worry less about your Desktop or Laptop aggravating your power bills! Visit our site for the list of the best energy plans in your area and make the smart switch in a matter of minutes. 

What are The Disadvantages of Using a Laptop Only on Ac ...

Computers known as laptops are built to work with both batteries and AC adapters. However, leaving your laptop plugged in all the time can harm the motherboard and even the battery.

 

Does connecting a laptop to a direct power source, which is required in many circumstances, have any drawbacks? Let's investigate:

 

Can a Laptop be used Without a Battery?

Since laptop parts are made to function with direct current DC, alternating current AC cannot technically power a laptop. Therefore, a power brick that changes AC to DC is included with every laptop. Your laptop is set up with two distinct drivers: Microsoft AC Adapter for the AC power supply and Microsoft ACPI Compliant Control Method Battery. One of them can serve as the power source for a laptop:

&#; The power of the AC adapter that is inserted into your laptop is controlled by the Microsoft AC adapter.

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&#; When a battery is connected, Microsoft ACPI is the driver in charge of managing power.

 

How do I Disable my Battery when Plugged in?

Using a direct power supply for your laptop can help you get the most performance out of it. You can turn off the battery power to prevent the battery from being overcharged. Your laptop will utilize an AC adapter as the power source if you disable the battery in the settings since it won't

recognize that the battery is present there.

Step 1: Select Device Management by performing right-clicking on the Windows icon.

Step 2: Select the Batteries option that is highlighted:

Step 3: Select the Microsoft ACPI-Compliant Control Method Battery with the right-click menu.

Step 4: The taskbar's battery icon will vanish after choosing the disable option.

 

Advantages of Using Laptop on AC Power

 

The use of a laptop with an AC power source has several advantages. The laptop's battery is charged, and you can use it in an emergency if there isn't an available external power source.

A laptop performs better when it is powered by an AC adapter because all of its components receive steady maximum power.

Disadvantages of Using Laptop on AC Power

 

The following are some drawbacks of utilizing a laptop with an AC power source in addition to its benefits:

 

&#; The longevity of the laptop's parts, particularly the battery, is shortened if it is constantly plugged in.

&#; The device will shut down and might lose data if the power goes out.

&#; the interior parts are harmed.

&#; makes the laptop hot.

 

Tips

&#; Ensure that the power source and charging cable are securely attached.

&#; Never touch the pins or slots for the batteries.

&#; Make use of the original adapter.

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