Here's what "HowStuffWorks" has to say about this.......
"The argument for leaving your computer on all the time is
that turning it on and off somehow "stresses the computer's
components". For example, when the CPU chip is running it
can get quite hot, and when you turn the machine off it cools
back down. The expansion and contraction from the heat
probably has some effect on the solder joints holding the
chip in place, and on the micro-fine details on the chip
itself. But here's 3 ways to look at that:
*If it were a significant problem, then machines would be
failing all the time. In fact, hardware is reliable
(software is a whole different story, and there is a lot
to be said for rebooting every day).
*I don't know a single person who leaves the TV on 24 hours
a day. TVs contain many of the same components that computers
do. TVs certainly have no problems being cycled on and off.
*Most vendors will sell you a 3-year full-replacement
warrantee for about $150. If you are worried about it, spend
some of the money you are saving by turning your machine off
and buy a service contract. Over 3 years you come out way
ahead!"
Add in the cost of it running none stop, add in that Windows
gets cranky the longer it's on, and think about the fact that
if it's on, it's vulnerable to hacking. IF they weren't
supposed to be turned off, they wouldn't have put an "OFF"
switch on the things...AND, as with any electrical item, fire
is always a real consideration.
Add in also the fact that things change so rapidly. The
joking commercial showing a guy driving home with his brand
new comp, and passing a billboard showing the NEXT new one
has made his obsolete before he even gets it home, is the
plain truth. Few folks keep their comps for more than a
few years, it's unlikey they will need to worry about
replacing components...they'll have already traded their
old comp in for a brand new one. As someone told me recently,
if you find that some switches and things wear out rapidly,
they were junk to begin with.
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