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Is it best to leave a computer
running constantly, or to switch it off when it is not in use ?
by
Tom Cumming
Arguments
in favour of leaving it running constantly:
1) You do
not have to wait for your PC to boot up when you wish to use it.
2) The PC will last longer: stopping and starting wears out various parts
of the machine more quickly.
3) You will not miss incoming faxes or voicemails, if you use your PC
for either of these functions.
4) When you go to use your PC, it will be in the state you left it when
you last finished, not back at the windows desktop.
Arguments
in favour of switching off after use:
1) Saves
electricity.
2) Will make your PC perform faster. The reason is that some applications
are not very good at releasing the memory they have used once they have
finished with it, and so the computer gradually runs out of memory. This
is more of a problem on the Windows 95, 98, ME series of operating systems:
it is not a major issue with the Windows NT, 2000, XP line, or in Linux,
as these have far superior memory management.
3) Saves your PC from being at risk of damage from power surges, spikes
or cuts when it is not in use. However if you have a UPS (Uninterruptable
power supply) this is less of an issue.
4) The argument above that your PC will last longer, is negated by the
fact that most people will upgrade or replace their PC years before this
effect is noticeable.
5) The continuous noise may disturb you. This of course depends on how
noisy your PC is.
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© 2001-2006 © Copyright Karl Davis.
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