Poll: Do You Turn Off Your PC/Console?

[Sikachu]

I'm not an expert, but that doesn't seem to healthy for the computer.

You are indeed not an expert. Most computers survive a bit longer if you constantly leave them on. It's because the components prefer to be in a stable state rather than being stressed by booting and turning off. It was counter-intuitive until I started working in the industry.

It was also more true 10 years ago than it is today.

That's what I've learned since working in the industry.

The more you know...

 

[General_Potatoes]

I turn mine off since its a laptop leaving it on 24/7 isn't very good for it.

 

[DragonChi]

I always have my computer on, but i turn the monitor (and TV) off when im away or asleep. I kept hearing from PC savvy people that its less stressful on the computer. So I just stuck with that, plus as it stands right now, my computer is VERY capable of maintaining itself given its parts. So I see no harm in it.

my consoles on the other hand I ALWAYS turn them off when they are not in use. my PS3 gets SUPER hot after a few hours and keeping it on like that can't be good for it.

 

[BRMXJzjsoawk321]

I turn off all consoles when I'm done with them (Leaving them on is a pet peeve of mine - -), but I always leave my computer on. Generally it takes 15 failed restarts and two BSODs to get it started for real, and even after that it will make terrifying noises. :/

 

[F'Angus]

Had this conversation with my housemate the other day. He was like "OMG do you turn your laptop off all the time? Doesn't it take ages to turn on?"

Though thing is the battery on his laptop is now screwed so his leaving his laptop on didn't work apparently.

 

[Hafeal]

I have been running my computer on for years (4+) - no problems. It useful for setting various utilities (like back-ups, updates, vuirus scans) to run when I am not on and hogging system resources.

 

[infohippie]

My computers are always doing something, so they rarely get turned off. The Windows box gets a reboot once or twice a month, 'cause poor Windows needs it, but the Linux boxen keep going without a break. My file and DNS server is sitting on 280 days of uptime, and my MythTV box is currently on 62 days.

 

[mocruz1200]

consoles get turned off constantly, only console that is an exemption is my NES (ive even installed a fan on it to keep it cool) because anyone who has played an NES knows that there are MANY games that cannot be saved.
the only times my computer gets turned off is when i periodically clean off the dust build up on the fans and such

 

[Sn1P3r M98]

I always turn off my console after gaming. I turn on my PC every morning, and off every night.

 

[theSovietConnection]

Console I always turn off, but my laptop I usually put into hibernate. It always crashes my wireless network when it starts up from being turned off for some reason.

 

[Hawk eye1466]

I always used to turn off my computer, but since I moved to a laptop (which I can just shut and it pauses everything and goes silent), I've fallen into the habit of leaving it "on". It's very unusual for me to leave it open and running, but I sometimes do that too, if I start a large download just before bed.

I still do a proper shut down every few weeks, to install updates and clear out memory and such.

i do the same thing and people look at me like im crazy it dosent do any damage (as far as i can tell) and i know people that do much worse to their laptops

OT: what would the other option mean because you leave it on or off just wondering

 

[Fusioncode9]

Consoles yes, computer no

 

[CanadianBacon]

I always make sure to turn my console/PC off when I'm done, things always seem to go wrong when I let them run for days at a time.

 

[SuperSuperSuperGuy]

I never turn off my PC, but I always turn off my game consoles.

 

[Sevgamer]

i ALWAYS turn off my pc/console if i left them on 24/7 my parents would end me we they got they power bill

 

[Chibz]

I turn my 360 off. Have an irrational fear of it overheating and therefore dying.

 

[yoyo13rom]

I'm not an expert, but that doesn't seem to healthy for the computer.

You are indeed not an expert. Most computers survive a bit longer if you constantly leave them on. It's because the components prefer to be in a stable state rather than being stressed by booting and turning off. It was counter-intuitive until I started working in the industry.

Ok, but I'm still on the fence with the whole on/off thing. Because in the long run, although it may last longer it will consume unnecessary electricity which costs relatively much in my country(again I don't have all the details).
So in the long run your PC may last longer turned off but you will have more electrical bill-costs.
On the other hand turning it off will save energy, although it will shorten it's life...


On a little side-note/question: I've heard that the on/off thing is true for like every electronical device(e.g: old-style light bulbs). But it's ok to turn them on/off if you give them a certain interval to cool off. Isn't there an interval after which turning the PC/console on makes less damage to it/shortens it's life less?

 

[Continuity]

Some people never off his PC, they just leave it on all the time.
I'm not an expert, but that doesn't seem to healthy for the computer.

Actually its probably more healthy than turning it off. Sure there is a big energy efficiency argument for turning your PC off but I don't think there is any other argument. For one thing what kills PC components isn't so much power on hours as heat cycling i.e. components going from cold to hot.

Personally I often leave my PC on as I run servers from it, that and overnight downloads.

I turn my 360 off. Have an irrational fear of it overheating and therefore dying.

Thats not so irrational