A simple question?
Should I leave my computer on all the time, or turn it off when it’s not in use? This seems like a simple question, but it’s one of the most common we receive as an IT company. The question is important, and the answer is not as straightforward as we wish it would be.
Many people have the impression that leaving their computer on and running all the time is the best thing they can do for their computer. What is the logic behind this?
Theoretically leaving your computer on all the time is better for your computer hardware, especially the hard drive which stores your files and programs. These drives have moving parts that tend to expand and contract slightly as they heat up and cool off when the computer is started up and shut down. Increasing the frequency of this cycle can slightly increase the risk of hard drive failure.
That being said, the reality is hard drives fail on computers that are running all the time and on computers that are shut down and started up frequently. Statistically, the difference in failure rate is miniscule. For the typical desktop or laptop computer, it is unlikely you will extend the useful life of your computer by leaving it on all the time. Most computer components are designed to last for years, and you will likely need to upgrade your computer system before those components wear out.
So does that mean I should just shut down my computer when it is not in use? Maybe not.
If you frequently use your computer during the course of a work day, it doesn’t really make sense to shut it down for your breaks or if you will be away from your desk for some time. Restarting your computer and re-opening all of your programs can often take a lot of time. During periods of inactivity, computer power management functionality will put the computer into a power-conservation mode.
There is one more very important consideration to keep in mind. In many company networks, virus scans, system updates and patches, and backups are performed overnight. Turning your computer off will prevent these tasks from happening, or result in them being performed during your work day, slowing you down in the process. Your home computer is probably also scheduled to be scanned for viruses and download patches overnight. To avoid having these tasks performed on your computer during the day, you should leave your computer running overnight on days these tasks will be performed.
Recommendations
Our recommendation is for you to make sure power management features are enabled on your computer, and leave your computer running during your work day. In addition, find out what days of the week your computer will need to be on overnight so maintenance tasks can be performed. The rest of the time, shut your computer down to conserve energy.