For many individuals, closing the laptop screen without shutting it down has become a common practice. But does this habit pose any risks to your laptop and result in energy wastage?
In a bid to uncover the effects of leaving laptops on sleep mode, Popsci conducted an experiment focusing on energy consumption during sleep mode.
During sleep mode, laptops, like other computers, remain operational but consume minimal power to keep the RAM (memory) active, where applications, documents, and browser windows are stored when open.
Popsci measured the energy consumption of a laptop in sleep mode by fully charging it, closing the screen, and disconnecting it from the power source. After a day, the laptop's power decreased by only 1% when the screen was reopened.
Further, using a device called Kill A Watt for more precise measurements, Popsci found that a laptop plugged into a socket consumed only 0.02 kWh of electricity during 15 hours of sleep mode.
Comparatively, a 60-watt incandescent bulb consumes 0.06 kWh of electricity per hour.
In conclusion, the electricity saved by shutting down a laptop after use and unplugging it is insignificant compared to replacing incandescent bulbs with LED lights in homes.
However, it is advisable to shut down computers and laptops regularly, especially when they will not be used for extended periods, such as days or weeks.
Popsci suggests that certain types of computers should be shut down more frequently. For instance, gaming computers used primarily on weekends may be better off shut down during weekdays.
Additionally, rebooting computers and laptops can help eliminate software-related issues. When laptops remain in sleep mode, software bugs accumulate in the computer's memory, leading to instability. Regular shutdowns and restarts can often resolve such issues.
While software bugs may not always be present, continuous operation of computers and laptops over time can lead to various problems. Shutting down and rebooting usually helps address these issues.