Laptop power usage

Vince Allen
10 Posts
Mar 26, 2008 10:30 am
Laptop power usage

I'm trying to understand how many watts of power a certain laptop pulls. I'm shopping around so I don't have the option of plugging it into a watt meter. The specs for the power adapter say...

Input: 100-240V~50/60Hz 680mA
Output: 9.5v-2.5A

Is it possible to derive usage in watts from this?

Thanks.
 
 
James Cormican
578 Posts
Mar 26, 2008 10:44 am
Re: Laptop power usage

yes

here in the usa, you are likely to use 120volts, 60 hertz.

120 volts x .680 amperers = 81.6 watts

the numbers for running and charging may be different, and what is above is likely a conservative estimate. 

as always there is no substitute for accurate model specific measurements.

good luck,

james
Alt-E staff
AltE
"Making Renewable Do-able"
http://www.altEstore.com/

Tel: 877.878.4060 x107  or +1.978.562.5858 x107
Fax: 877.242.6718  or +1.978.562.5854
 
 
John D
184 Posts
Mar 26, 2008 01:52 pm
Re: Laptop power usage

Quote from: Vince Allen on Mar 26, 2008  10:30 am
I'm trying to understand how many watts of power a certain laptop pulls. I'm shopping around so I don't have the option of plugging it into a watt meter. The specs for the power adapter say...

Input: 100-240V~50/60Hz 680mA
Output: 9.5v-2.5A

Is it possible to derive usage in watts from this?

Thanks.

The output of the power adaptor, and the actual power requirements of the laptop are two different things. You really need to measure power over time. 

Keep in mind that power usage will fluctuate, peaking when you access the hard-drive or the CD/DVD drive. 

If I were you, I'd take a Kill-A-Watt meter with me as I shop, and find a salesperson who will allow me to do some pre-purchase testing.

After you've purchased the computer, go into "Control Panel" and adjust the "Power Options" to turn off the monitor and hard drive after a period of inactivity.  Allow the system to hybernate, or go into standby mode, as well.

John
 
 
Vince Allen
10 Posts
Mar 26, 2008 02:07 pm
Re: Laptop power usage

Ok. Thanks for the advice.

To clarify, the laptop may not always operate at full power. However, when it is at full power, it will pull a maximum of 120 volts x .680 amperers = 81.6 watts.

Correct? I want to make sure that while the pull may fluctuate, the maximum power pulled will not exceed 81.6 watts at any one time.

Thanks.
 
 
John D
184 Posts
Mar 27, 2008 09:22 am
Re: Laptop power usage

Quote from: Vince Allen on Mar 26, 2008  02:07 pm
Ok. Thanks for the advice.

To clarify, the laptop may not always operate at full power. However, when it is at full power, it will pull a maximum of 120 volts x .680 amperers = 81.6 watts.

Correct? I want to make sure that while the pull may fluctuate, the maximum power pulled will not exceed 81.6 watts at any one time.

The power unit needs to be capable of supplying more power than the laptop requires.  So it follows then that the power requirements for this particular laptop will never exceed 81.6 watts (IMHO).

John
 
 
Victoria Pirillo
8 Posts
Mar 27, 2008 08:57 pm
Re: Laptop power usage

I found this website http://michaelbluejay.com/electricity/howmuch.html
You can get watt usage for many many things along with laptops. A coll website with a neat tool!
 
 

Disclaimer and Disclosure

The Alternative Energy Store, Inc reserves the right, within its sole discretion, to refuse or delete any posting or portion thereof, or terminate or block the access to this forum.

The opinions and statements posted on this forum are the opinions and statements of the person posting same, and do not constitute the opinion or act of the Alternative Energy Store, Inc (AltE). The Alternative Energy Store, Inc does not endorse or subscribe to any particular posting. No posting shall be construed as the act or opinion of the Alternative Energy Store, Inc.

Click here for BBB Business Review

McAfee SECURE sites help keep you safe from identity theft, credit card fraud, spyware, spam, viruses and online scams
Desktop Website | Mobile Website

Share

Click on an icon to share! If you don't see the method you want, hover over the orange "+".

Feedback

What can we do to help you?

Please enter a summary
Submit +
Sorry, the copyright must be in the template.
Please notify this forum's administrator that this site is using an ILLEGAL copy of SMF!
Copyright removed!!