Desktop Computer vs Laptop: Which Costs Less to Run?
For everyday computing, the desktop-versus-laptop choice is quietly also an energy choice.
Desktop Computer · per month
$6.88
6 hours/day · 100–400 W
Laptop · per month
$2.00
6 hours/day · 30–100 W
Verdict
The laptop wins by 3–5×, doing the same browsing and office work on 30–60 watts versus 150–250 for a desktop and monitor. Full-time laptop use saves a modest but real amount every year. The desktop wins only when you actually need its sustained performance — and even then, sleep settings matter more than the hardware.
Side by side
| Desktop Computer | Laptop | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical power | 100–400 W | 30–100 W |
| Typical usage | 6 hours/day | 6 hours/day |
| Energy per month | 38 kWh | 11 kWh |
| Cost per month (US avg) | $6.88 | $2.00 |
| Cost per year (US avg) | $82.56 | $24.05 |
| Cost per month in Hawaii | $18.04 | $5.25 |
Rates as of July 2026. Adjust the assumptions on each appliance's page: Desktop Computer · Laptop.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to run: a desktop computer or a laptop?
At typical usage and the current U.S. average rate (18.3¢/kWh), the laptop is cheaper: about $2.00/month versus $6.88/month for the desktop computer — a difference of $4.87 per month.
How much could I save per year by choosing the laptop?
About $58.48 per year at typical usage and average rates. In Hawaii (48¢/kWh) the annual gap grows to roughly $153.
Do these numbers apply to my state?
The ratio between the two stays the same everywhere, but the dollar gap scales with your rate — from Louisiana at 12.7¢/kWh to Hawaii at 48¢/kWh. Open each appliance's page for the exact cost in your state.