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Very useful though I got a lower end model for around $25. It's good to know how much juice your appliances are taking especially when turned 'off'.

What you don't realize, #1, is that this thing itself is power-hungry.

OMG, #2, you are so ridiculously lame. Does m0f0 know that you're stealing/ruining his schtick?

if you don't need it now, the price is set to drop to $22 shortly.

#2, Why don't you tell us an "interesting story" about how you have stayed clear of this device. It will surely end up getting you PWNED into oblivion. For everyone's enjoyment - http://bensbargains.net/deal/66637/

#5, you crack me up. Way to use the terrorist's own tactics against him!

#4 - where'd you hear that?

Where is m0f0??? I miss him (or her?)

#7, #4 is thinking of the other version of the Kill-A-Watt which sells between $18-$23. This version will not be down to $22 anytime soon.

By the way, it's a cool device but you won't use it very often. I bought the older model about a year and a half ago for $19 and I have probably only used it two or three times. It's basically a novelty item because you should know to unplug things you don't use or need without actually monitoring their usage. Even after I saw how much electricity my home theater system was using in its stand-by mode, it didn't make me start unplugging things because I figure I'm paying for the convenience - which wasn't much... basically pennies a day.

Ben,
What kit?

#10, it is yet another wrong description. There is no P4400 in a kit

BT - thanks... I have the 4400 and now routinely turn off all of my computer peripherals as they were sucking 75w in idle. Also fun to measure how much juice the HD2900XT is eating up when playing Crysis, but that's not going to stop me from having fun.

The most surprise was how accurate the CFL vs. incandescent bulb power draw was.

I found the cheaper version to be very useful. It's nice to know things like that leaving the air conditioner plugged in only uses 1 watt so I don't need to unplug it, but the power strip my computer and speakers and printers and everything is in uses around 25 so it is worth it to flick it off when I'm done. Also always fun to plug it in with your toaster or space heater or hair dryer and see it go up to 1400 watts.

As for this more expensive model, it's kind of retarded to pay an extra $20 for it to do the calculations for you. But then again if you're dumb enough to pay the $20 you might not know how to convert it.

#13,
The advantage of this model is not just the calculations, but the fact that it has a memory. You can plug it in, and then plug your refrigerator (for example) in to it. If you can't see the screen, once you unplug the 4400, that info is gone. The 4460 allows you to plug it in again (in a more convenient spot) to see the readings.

Now, is THAT worth $20? It depends on how you use it. To some it's worth the extra $$.

I'm still amazed at the amount of people that shut their computers off. I have no factual data to back up my claim, but it seems like running your computers 24/7 actually increases the life-span of your hardware. Yeah, I spend a little more in electricity every year to keep my computer running, but that money makes up for the fact that I rarely replace my computer parts.

By the way, if your computer is using 75W in idle that equates to 1.8kW per day. Assuming your electricity is $0.10/kWh then you are talking about ~$0.20/day to keep your computer running or ~$75/year. That seems reasonable to me... especially if my theory is correct.

#15 - Great logic! I leave my car running all night and day! So far it hasn't broken down on me... so you sir, are correct! Thank you.

#16, actually, it is often better to leave your car running than to shut it off and restart it. But only for short periods, not all night.

As for computers, the components undergo great variations in temperature which causes more wear than the actual high temperature of running does. So many have postulated that keeping your computer on and at a more steady temperature will increase the longevity. I imagine the truth in this varies by component. But comparing the two is a bad analogy if it only costs the estimated $75 per year to keep a computer running when we know keeping your car running for even one day will likely cost that much, or close to 30k per year. Not to mention that your car will run out of gas overnight unless you constantly pay $60 to fill it up before you park it at night, whereas your computer's fuel is less finite.

Can you please provide a better analogy? Someting involving carrots and college cheerleaders would be appreciated.

LOL #16.

#15, leaving your computer running 24/7 is a waste of energy and money IMO. In the last 4 years I have had to replace two failed components in my home machine: the hard drive and PS. The total cost was about $170. Using your numbers I would have spent nearly $300 on electricity with the machine idle.

baconnaise, I can't beleive I'm even responding. Yes, there is probably some partial truth to #16, but while keeping computer *some* components warm all the time may slightly offset effects from temperature changes, but for others it's a detriment (such as electrolytic capacitors and hard drives). I think wasting electricity based on some half-baked theory is dumb as #18 pointedly states.

#19, you missed my entire point; CHEERLEADERS!!!

I could care less about if you guys leave your computers on to protect your porn.