Laptop vs. MacBook: running cost
A MacBook is cheaper to run: about $10 a year versus $16 for a laptop at typical use and 17.99¢/kWh, a $6 difference.
| Laptop | MacBook | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical watts | 40 W | 25 W |
| Watt range | 15–200 W | 10–140 W |
| Typical use | 6 hours a day | 6 hours a day |
| Energy per year | 91 kWh | 57 kWh |
| Cost per hour | 0.7¢ | 0.4¢ |
| Cost per day | 4.5¢ | 2.8¢ |
| Cost per month | $1.36 | $0.85 |
| Cost per year | $16 | $10 |
| Per year in Hawaii (43.51¢) | $40 | $25 |
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What drives the difference
- Laptop: Laptops draw 15-60 W from the wall while working and charging; gaming laptops draw 100-230 W under load. Chargers left plugged in with nothing attached draw under 0.5 W.
- MacBook: Apple-silicon MacBooks are very efficient: a MacBook Air averages about 10-20 W from the wall during normal work and charging.
Ways to cut either cost
GaN USB-C charger
Efficient compact charger with low standby draw.
See options on Amazon GaN USB-C charger
More efficient and lower standby than older brick chargers.
See options on AmazonWe may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. It never changes the numbers we show. Disclosure.
Frequently asked questions
Which costs more to run, a laptop or a MacBook?
At typical use and the U.S. average rate (17.99¢/kWh), a laptop costs about $16 a year versus $10 for a MacBook. That's $6 more, or 1.6× as much.
How many watts do laptop and MacBook use?
A laptop typically draws 40 W (range 15–200 W). A MacBook draws 25 W (range 10–140 W). Watts alone don't decide cost. Hours of use, cycling and standby matter just as much.
Rates: EIA, 12 months ending 2026-07. Methodology.