< hardware > (APM) A feature of some displays, usually but not always, on laptop computers , which turns off power to the display after a preset period of inactivity to conserve electrical power. Monitors with this capability are usually refered to as "green monitors", meaning environmentally friendly.
Not to be confused with a screen blanker which is software that causes the display to go black (by setting every pixel to black) to prevent burn-in .
(1997-08-25)