something i was able to isolate this afternoon is that the laptop only runs at 30 w if it's left on, or at least is only running at 30 w now that i've disabled everything i can. there does seem to be a small spike when it turns on, but it only comes out to around 0.01 or 0.02 added, so it's kind of just error. i was thinking it would be more than that...

i'll get a better bounds on the modem tomorrow.

so, if i leave it on all of the time, as i have been, i'm using

0.03(12*.105 + 6*.205 + 6*.144) = $0.10/day.

if, on the other hand, i'm strict about turning it off from 7:00-19:00, i'd be using:

0.03*12*.105 + .02 = $0.05-$0.06/day, which is just half the total amount.

if i leave it on for peak period and turn it off at night, it's:

0.03*6*(.205 + .144) + 0.02 =  $0.08/day

if i average that out, the difference is $0.02-$0.03 cents a day, or $0.60-$.90/month. so, let's say about $0.75/month.

it's not worth being neurotic about, i don't think.

i should just turn it off when i'm not using it. if that averages six hours a day, it's 5-6 kwh