November 24, 2005
Q. & A.
Leaving It On or Shutting It Off
By J.D. BIERSDORFER
Q. Is it better to turn off the computer or can I just keep it on all the time?
A. The question about whether it is better to shut down your computer at the end of each day or to leave it up and running has been raging for years, with concern for both the computer hardware and saving electricity factoring into the debate.
One older argument for leaving the computer on was that turning it off every night and starting it up again in the morning caused strain on the hard drive - because the magnetic heads that read and write information inside the drive had to start up as well, and could damage delicate parts. But the hard drives in most modern computers park their heads when the computer is turned off, and starting back up is a much safer process than it used to be.
It does take an extra bit of electricity when the computer pops on after being shut down, but the amount of power is less than what would be consumed if the machine was left on continuously.
Leaving the computer on - and linked to the Internet with a high-speed connection - all the time can make it more vulnerable to infection and invasion by intruders. Even if the machine is turned off every night, though, security programs like firewall, antivirus and antispyware software should be installed and updated regularly to help keep the computer safe when on and online. (Macintosh machines are currently less vulnerable to viruses and spyware, but Mac OS X comes with a firewall worth using.)
You obviously save electricity when you shut down the computer after you are done using it, potentially around $100 a year depending on your system. Turning your machine off at night also clears up items in the computer's memory and gives it a fresh start in the morning, which may make it appear less sluggish if you generally have a lot of programs running over the course of the day.
If you are torn between leaving it on or shutting it down, consider the third option: setting the machine to hibernate or sleep for the night. The computer uses minimal power in this state, but starts much faster than if it was started up cold in the morning.
AND
This is one of the most popular questions we get here at Help2Go. Whether it is your PC at home, or a whole office-full of computers, this has been a question that has plagued many. We have researched this question thoroughly, and the simple answer is that there IS NO simple answer.
However, based on the following criteria, we can help you formulate an answer that will work for you.
Reasons to Turn it Off
Waste of Electricity
Leaving a computer on overnight may not use a lot of electricity, especially if your computer and monitor support the "Energy Saver" features that are standard on most new computers. But make no mistake: over the course of months and years, quite a lot of electricity is wasted. If you are a homeowner or you manage a small business on a budget, this is no small concern. Turn it off.
Security: Internet
If your computer accesses the Internet through a modem, this section does not apply. However, if you use DSL, a cable modem, or have "always-on" Internet access at work, your computer may be an open target for a hacker. If your computer is on the Internet even when you aren't sitting at it, turn it off.
Security: Network
If you work in a networked office, leaving your computer on may not be a bad thing, but leaving your computer on while you are stilled logged in to your company's network is a VERY BAD thing. Make sure you log out every night. My wife's office had an instance of one of the cleaning staff ordering merchandise online using the identities of the staff. You never know who's going to be in your office after-hours!
Windows needs a break
Microsoft Windows is a terribly-written product. The longer you keep it running, the more likely it is to crash and lose your data. If you are a Windows user, then you should periodically reboot your computer anyway, so that the internal memory (RAM) is cleared and Windows starts up with a fresh clean slate. So for stability's sake, turn it off.
Reasons to Leave it On
Running Services
Sometimes, your computer performs a function even when you are not sitting at it. Perhaps it acts as your fax machine. Maybe you use it as a web server. Maybe your company uses it as a print server or file server. In these cases, in order to keep those services running, leave your computer on.
Hardware Durability
It is a fact that turning an electrical appliance on puts more stress on that appliance than keeping it running for a long time. The reason is that the initial surge of electricity through the circuits is a traumatic event (shocking, even). Your computer is an electrical appliance, and therefore constant power ups and power downs can wear out the parts before their time. If the durability of your hardware is an issue, then leave it on.
Convenience
Starting up Windows is a hassle. Sometimes you just want to sit down at your computer and be able to work without having to boot it up and wait for a few minutes. This is a perfectly legitimate desire! If being able to use your computer instantly is important to you, leave it on.
The Big Myth
People will try to tell you that leaving your computer on will open you up to power surges and electrical disasters that will "fry" your computer. This is true, but your computer is susceptible to power surges even if it is off! A power surge travels over electrical wires, and surges don't care if the appliance is on or off. Therefore, if you want to be careful, you should purchase a good surge protector or UPS (uninterruptable power source). Or, for the paranoid, you should unplug your computer altogether when it is not in use.
Conclusion
Look through the above categories and choose which are most important to you.
What do I do? Well, I currently live in an apartment building that pays for all my utilities. Therefore, wasting electricity is not a big concern for me. My computers are connected to the Internet constantly, but are protected by a firewall, so security is not a concern either. Plus, I make sure that I reboot my computer every few days so that Windows can start with a clean slate.
In addition, I like the convenience of having my PC on whenever I need it. The hardware durability is an added plus. So, I leave my PC on all day, every day.
With that said, I must inform you that I am moving into a new house next month. Suddenly, the electricity bills will become my foremost concern, and you can bet your bottom dollar that all my PCs will be turned off every night (except for my web server). House payments are not cheap!
I reboot every few days though.
