How often should I shut down my computer?

SafeBytes Software

Many commentators on different forums wonder whether it is really a good idea not to shut down the computer.

It is understandable that you may not want to lose your work and open it all up again the next morning. However, there are issues if the computer shuts itself off automatically and you end up with a bunch of unsaved data or errors that make it difficult to open up the system again the next day.

This article addresses the debate as to whether you need to shut down every night or leave it on standby for eternity.

The advice from the experts

Most experts agree that the idea of not shutting down your computer every night is nothing more than an urban myth which has acquired a life of its own. The important thing is that you shut down the system correctly using the right buttons rather than merely ripping out the power cable and moving on.

The main advantage is that you are not wasting residual power and that can only be good for the planet. If you sleep with the computer in the same room, shutting it down prevents you from being woken up prematurely when an alert comes up.

On the other hand you must also not ignore the advantages that leaving the computer on can bring:

First of all the computer is able to act as a server and will therefore handle certain tasks whilst you are away. You need to consider your needs first when deciding to shut down the computer or leave it on. Some offices insist that computers must be shut down when not in use as a means of protecting data and passwords as well as saving energy.

High end desktops are capable of using large amounts of energy and if they are constantly on then you risk running bills that will soon become unsustainable.

The other thing that you might want to consider is the temporary system issues that arise from time to time. A computer that is in constant use for a long time will soon exhibit signs that are frankly rather strange. You can only resolve these problems by doing a reboot. Of course the price that you have to pay is the noise that the computer will make at night.

For example, the sound of fans can mean that people in the household will not get a good night’s sleep. One way around this is to mute the sound. If you are forgetful then you can use the automated facility which is part of the Windows and OS X suite.

Keeping your machine in the best shape

According to the experts, a machine that is given a chance to rest from time to time will last longer than one which is constantly on the go. You should not create excessive stress and strains for the machines that you are working with. That being the case, you may also want to consider the inconvenience of having to reopen an array of files every morning.

Use a power-regulating socket such as the Belkin Conserve in order to get a handle on your energy usage.