Therein lies the rub, the convenience as determined by a particular person. One may prefer the computer to remain in a very low power state for a faster response when it is required, others may be happy with a slightly slower response of having to first switch it on at the wall. The kettle when it is off though hopefully uses no power until a circuit is completed by depressing the switch on it. Some people use a master slave arrangement where the powerboard has all the devices connected but the powerboard does not enable power to the slave devices until the master device is switched on or comes out of a low power state. While this uses some very small amount of power it saves having to turn on a whole slew of devices when you want to use say a home theatre setup.
From the Emerald Planet Smart Solutions website FAQ section comes this piece of advice about these types of power boards:
"With the Powerboard for Computers you can plug your computer and all the associated appliances you use with your computer into the device (Usually this is your printer, monitor, speakers, external hard drives, etc.)
With the Powerboard for TV/AV you can plug your TV and all the associated appliances you use with your TV into the device (Usually this is your DVD player, games console, set top box, home entertainment systems, speakers, stereo surround sound etc.)
With both the Computer and AV/TV Powerboard you can plug other appliances like lights, radios, and clocks etc. that are close to your computer or TV/AV system into the Powerboard. They do not have to be a typical computer or TV/AV add-on like those mentioned above. Just remember, that if you plug these devices into the Slave sockets they will only be available for use when the TV or Computer âMasterâ devices are in a high power mode (like ON).
For more information on which appliance should be plugged into which socket, refer to the FAQ, âHow do I decide what appliances to plug into which sockets?â"
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"Normal Socketâ Plug peripheral computer or TV/AV appliances in here that you want to remain connected to mains power at all times.
In an AV/TV environment this can apply to Pay TV units, DVD and/or Video Recorders on which you pre-program recordings ahead of time, TiVo on which you pre-program the recording at specific times of future TV programs, or any other appliance relying on a continuous timer or clock.
NOTE: Some projectors have a step down process when they are turned off which allows the projectors lights to cool gradually after use. These appliances should be plugged into the normal socket.
In a Computing environment some people may want their computer to remain connected to the internet even when they are not using their computer and may plug their modem into the Normal socket.
Master Socket â For an AV/TV Powerboard, plug your TV into the Master socket. When your TV is in Low Power Mode the powerboard will use this as a signal to disconnect mains power from the TV Master and all the Slave appliances.
For a Computer Powerboard, plug your Computer in here. When the Computer is in a low power mode (OFF, or SLEEP, or HIBERNATE are common examples) the device will disconnect mains power from the Slave appliances.
Note: a computer plugged into the Master socket is never disconnected from mains power so it can continue to function as it normally would in low power modes (like SLEEP or HIBERNATE). There is no possibility of lost work in open work files as a result of using the device.
Slaves Socket âPlug other peripheral computer or TV/AV appliances in here.
In an AV/TV environment, when the TV Master is turned into a low power mode (OFF or STANDBY are often common examples) the device will disconnect mains power to these Slave appliances. (Usually this is your DVD player, games console, set top box, home entertainment systems, speakers, stereo surround sound etc.).
In a computer environment, when the Computer Master is in a low power mode (OFF, SLEEP or HIBERNATE are often common examples) the device will disconnect mains power to these Slave appliances. (Usually this is your printer, monitor, speakers, external hard drives, etc.)".
Not all we use needs to be an all out off or an all out on if some of the newer technology available is used wisely. Of course there are circumstances where an all on or off is useful or preferred but as many indicate above in todayâs world it is hard to avoid some âstandbyâ power usage.