Is it better to leave your computer on over night or turn it off?

Question

Is it better to leave your computer on over night or turn it off?

Answer 1

Night time is a great time to run anti-malware scans.  Doesn't slow things down while you're trying to do work.  And many anti-malware programs have a scheduling option (you may have to buy the paid-for version to get it), that can even wake the machine up, if it's in sleep/standby mode (not hibernate), to run them.

I use this combination of standby and pre-scheduled runs to minimize my energy use yet maximize my machine usage.

Hope that helps.

Answer 2

It is better to turn it off because your computer has a lifespan much like a light bulb. The fan would run and accumulate dust. Heat is generated by the electronics. Putting the machine in sleep mode is good for saving your setup say if you are playing games and turning off all unnecessary programs to gain memory. Some businesses leave machines on so they can be used more quickly. In the old days computers were glitchy and would not start the same way each time but for the most part this has been overcome.

Answer 3

It depends of what you are doing with your computer.

Speaking to the truth, computers (especially larger ones with high performance) are designed such a way that it can be turned on for its life time. For example server computers. They are never turned off. However, running a screensaver is not a way to reduce the amount of energy used by it. If you think your computer had enough for one day, it is OK to give it a rest. And yes, we are talking about critical environment situation nowadays, so why don't you shut it down to reduce the energy it is used.

If you shut it down, it will cool down the CPU and other hardware parts that are hot since you turned it on. That way, hardware faults can be decreased. And again, hardware parts are too, designed to take such a heat.

And if you are a person having to download a lot of items, it is a good idea to keep it on at night and you can schedule your downloads to the night. In that case, it is good to keep your computer on.

See! so many options.

Like is said, it depends on what you are doing with your computer.

Answer 4

Computers use a large amount of energy to turn on, instead of turning off your computer, put it in Standby / Sleep and turn off the computer's monitor.

Answer 5

Just leave it on and turn off the monitor.

I do the same xD

Answer 6

It USED to be very true that it was better to leave a computer on, because the heat stress would loosen chips on your computer.  With today's technology that is no longer true, and given the energy consumption of computers, you are probably better off turning it off when not in use.

Answer 7

Why leave it on for the rest of your life?