My laptop runs at about 128 watts, converting that to kWh is about 3.072 kWh for 24 hours of use.  At 8.6 cents per kWh (I think it's actually just 8.0), that means about 26.4 cents per day.  If I make $2 in a day, that means I'm still netting about $1.74 per day, or $52.07 per month or $624.89 per year.  That's assuming Bitcoin price remains constant, although I feel like it may rise over time.  Regardless, that means it's net positive to run it at $2 per day.

Regardless, I likely won't run it all day every day.  I want to use this for testing it out, trying out mining with what I currently have.  If all I had was a crappy HP notebook, that's what I'd use.  But luckily I have something fairly updated that, at least, won't make me lose money.  So, does anyone have some tips for me to help me reach a $2 mark per day?  I know you mentioned mining EquiHash, that's what my understanding was upon looking at NiceHash's numbers.  How might I go about doing this without using NiceHash, and cashing out every day, as you said?  Any direction is much appreciated, I just need to know where to look.