It depends, but it's enough to be worth turning off. However, the main consideration is not power consumption, but safety. I once had my desktop computer CATCH FIRE. Thankfully, I was sitting at the computer and saw the smoke streaming out of the tower, so I could turn it off. Prior to that incident, I had been in the habit of leaving my home computer on 24/7. I now turn it off whenever I go to bed or leave the house. Diana > If I leave my computer on all the time but turn off the > screens at night how > much more does it cost that to switch them off at night and > on again in a > morning?? we have been having an argument about it so please > if someone > could enlighten me please!!!! > > Pam > >

I started turning off my computer at night, including the DSL modem, and my electrical bill went down almost $20 a month...that was 5 months ago. My utility company which had me on a budget plan of $140 a month recently reduced that to holding out $95 a month (for the 12 mos and then it covers ups and downs of seasonal needs). Huge savings and nothing else changed in my household. I also have started pulling plugs of all TVs and any other 'phantom' electrical source and expect it to go down even more. Also, my local computer shop contact said I can expect my computer and monitor to last 3x's longer because of turning it off. I keep it off except when I am using it which is about 3-5 hours at night and occasionally for a 1/2 hour in the morning. Jayne Madison, WI > If I leave my computer on all the time but turn off the > screens much more does it cost that to switch them off at > night and > on again in a > morning??