is it better to leave my computer nd internet on continously or is better to turn it off ?

Question

i was told if i leave my computer nd internet on 24 hrs a day it is better than turning it off every night ? any thoughts on this nd what pluses nd minuses are there regarding each of these two functions ? thx

Answer 1

I am a computer repairman, and I leave all mine on all the time. I think turning them on and off is harder on them than just running. But then again, I don't pay your electric bill. An average idling computer burns about 60 watts.

I also give my computers something to do while they are sitting around running. My computers are looking for a cure for Tuberous Sclerosis.

Answer 2

as long as you have an ample cooling system. Granted the computer will be sitting there doing nothing, but the drives and parts will still be running. If your computer overheats it can be bad news and costly. Make sure there isnt anything blocking it or in the way. Sometimes computers will act up if they are left on too long, like not let you click on stuff. I usually turn mine off overnight. Now if you wree going to be gone for like an hour or so, leave it on. If you turn the computer off without going thru the shutdown menu you can corrupt files on your disk drive. Make sure your monitor will go into a sleep mode alos, say after 30 or 45 minutes of inactivity. This will help save power and not be such a drain on your monitor, specially if you have a plasma or lcd monitor.

Answer 3

I personally turn mine off.

You can leave it on, but only if you have good firewall protection. Who's to say that while you are sleeping someone could be using your computer to steal info from others?? Severely paranoid people even go to the extent of unplugging their cat 5 from the modem as well. Whatever you feel is safe for you given the security levels you have in place on your cpu.

Answer 4

$$$$ it take resources to keep it running. If you are connected to the intenet then ur machine is available to attack. If it is just sitting there then the electrical source must be capable of protecting the electronics of the computer.... I know my electrical sources and power changes constantly .... I shut down and reboot... Then also MS recommends that you reboot (shut down ) and restart regularly so that changed to the system can take effect.... without reboot problems may not surface until long after the change was made ....

Answer 5

20 yrs ago I was asked the same question and my opinion is still the same. turning the machine on can cause a power surge that may reach your processor and damage it, but leaving it on (even in low power standby) can cause wear also. so if you have a broadband connection and a great firewall do whatever floats your boat.