You'll Be Amazed At How Much Your iPad Actually Costs To Run

For everything it is and everything it does, the iPad is a pretty cost-effective slab of consumer kit. Of course, like any piece of electronics, it needs a constant flow of electricity to keep it going, and all those charges (and recharges) can add up to quite the utility bill. Or not. In fact, according to a study just completed by the EPRI, iPad users who fully charge their tablets every other day consume an average of less than 1 kWh of energy a month. And that comes out to a shockingly low $1.36. Per year. The purpose of the study, the EPRI says, is to highlight how the changing needs of end users will impact current large-scale power-draw models around the world. Currently, the entire iPad market accounts for roughly 590 GWh of energy consumption. Should the market triple (or quadruple) over the next two years as generally anticipated, it would take two (or three) 250 MW power facilities -- working at half capacity -- to keep them all going. And that's nothing! Explains EPRI VP of Power Delivery Mark McGranaghan,

As information technologies continue to change rapidly we see important implications for energy consumption. These results raise important questions about how the shifting reliance from desktop to laptop to mobile devices will change energy use and electricity requirements for the information age. At less than a penny per charge these findings bring new meaning to the adage, ‘A penny for your thoughts.’

So how about a penny for yours? Via: CNET Source: EPRI Image: CNN

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