What a laptop costs to run in each state
The table assumes a 30 W laptop used for six hours a day, five days a week.
| State | Rate | A month | A year |
|---|---|---|---|
| TasmaniaAurora Energy | 24.75c | $0.97 | $12 |
| QueenslandEnergex | 27.97c | $1.09 | $13 |
| Victoriaaverage of five networks | 28.2c | $1.10 | $13 |
| Northern TerritoryJacana Energy | 31.68c | $1.24 | $15 |
| New South WalesAusgrid | 33.14c | $1.30 | $16 |
| Western AustraliaSynergy | 33.26c | $1.30 | $16 |
| Australian Capital TerritoryEvoenergy network | 36.95c | $1.45 | $17 |
| South AustraliaSA Power Networks | 41.91c | $1.64 | $20 |
Running costs by laptop type
| Type | Power | Cost an hour | A year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small laptop or tablet | 15 W | 0.5c | $8 |
| Standard laptop | 30 W | 1c | $16 |
| Gaming laptop | 120 W | 4c | $62 |
A laptop charger's rating, such as 65 W, is the most it can deliver while charging a flat battery. A laptop in normal use draws well under that.
Laptop or desktop?
A desktop and monitor drawing 120 W costs about 4c an hour on the same rate, around four times a standard laptop. For a full working year at six hours a day, that difference is about $47 in NSW. It matters more for people working from home every day. See our working from home electricity guide.
Leaving it plugged in
A laptop left on charge after the battery is full draws little, and a charger plugged in with nothing attached draws even less. Turning off at the wall overnight removes the small standby draw.
Questions about laptop running costs
About 1c for a 30 W laptop on the Ausgrid reference rate.
The SA Government lists laptops at 10 W to 38 W. Gaming laptops can draw much more under load.
For your bill, the cost is small. Many laptops have battery care settings that stop charging at 80% or so, which may help battery life.
Sources
Every rate on this page comes from the regulator or the regulated retailer. Last checked October 2026. Prices include GST unless we say otherwise.