TABLE OF CONTENTS Many people ask whether it is better to leave your computer (and any other electronic equipment) switched on when you are not using it. There are two things to consider here. First, when the equipment is on it gets warm. Heat ages electronic components, so the longer it is left on, the more chance there is of component failure. Keep in mind, however, that cold and damp don t help either. The second factor is that turning on and off can lead to stressing of various components due to power surges. If a component is going to fail, it is more likely to do so when the equipment is turned on or off.
Computer (and most electronic) equipment is designed to be left running day and night, year in, year out and will last for several years with no breakdowns if you are lucky. Of course, you cannot realistically expect to never have a power supply break down or a monitor screen burn out or whatever.
I generally leave most of my equipment turned on all the time always ready for action unless I specifically know that I will not be using it for some time.
I have been assured by several of the most well-informed technical engineers that the pros and cons of leaving electronic equipment on permanently against turning it off regularly just about balance out so there is no great advantage or disadvantage either way.
Having the...
