is it better to leave your computer on or shut it down when not in use?

In the olden dark days of computers it was hard on the circuits to turn on and off a lot. Not so today.

I turn mine off whe I am not using it for 3 or more hours. And some of my computrers are from the Windows 98 days.

This is one of those discussions that's been going on for years, and the best answer is - do whatever you want to do.

Personally I never (except for vacations) turn my computers off. Heat is the biggest killer of computers, and laptops have more problems with it that desktops, so the laptops at home are kept on laptop coolers - I use these - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N8... but there are plenty of other makes around - http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Sub...

The longest I've ever kept a computer on was nearly 4 years - I used it as a web server and it was only rebooted for updates but never entirely shut down. This is what it looked like when I eventually opened it up - http://brisray.com/test/pccobweb.jpg

It saves power off, and leaving it on all the time could be bad for it. I would suggest shutting down at least once a day, sleeping it if you will be gone for around an hour, and hibernating if you will be gone for 2-5 hr.

Oh definitely! Because less energy usage. sometimes, I put it on sleep though (my laptop) if I'm going to be away for only like 20 mins, thats about the max ill go.

But if you're going to be away for a longer period of time, I suggest you turn it off, thats what I do

I have worked as a tech for many years. About half of the techs say leave it on, the other half say turn it off. So what every you do you will be half right.

It doesn't use much energy if you put the computer in sleep mode, especially if you have one of those new macbook air's. most computers today are designed to be put in standby while not in use.

I dont know If you use it a lot just leave it on. If not I'll just turn it off.

if your leaving for an hour or 2 put it too sleep.overnight sleep or off.for and hour leave it on

Daytime, like if you are going to use it in an hour or so, year its better for it to be on. Overnight, no.

You use more energy with it being on, but at least it is ready to go when you need it.