Is It Better To Leave Your Computer On All The Time Or Turn It Off?

The problem with turning your computer on and off is something called thermal stressing, which is physical stress due to changes in temperature.  When you turn the computer on, it warms up and the components start too expand due to the heat.  When you turn it off, it cools down and the components contract again.  So turning your computer on and off a lot can cause a lot of mechanical stress due to the continual expansion and contraction.
 
In the days of vacuum tubes and early solid state electronics, thermal stressing was a serious problem.  However, modern computers are built with better components than computers ten or twenty years ago, and they can handle a lot more stress.  A general rule of thumb I have seen in various articles is to turn your computer off if you think you will not be using it for an hour or more.  If you think you will be using it within an hour, then leave it on.
 
There are other benefits to turning your computer off, such as saving electricity and reducing the time a hacker might have to penetrate your computer if it is continuously on line.

I have heard that when you turn on your computer, it sends a jolt of electricity through the components and over time can wear them out faster than just leaving the computer on all of the time.
 
Most computers today have power saving technology that reduces the amount of power the computer uses when "sleeping".
 
A computer is electronic, not electric. Meaning that it does not use the same amount of electricity at all times when it is on, where a fan draws the same amount of power at any given time.
 
Also, if you just put your computer to sleep, you do not have to wait for it to completely boot up again. You just have to wait a few seconds for the screen to come back up, instead of turning it on and waiting a few minutes for it to boot up, then login and wait for Windows to load your profile.

Of course you have to off your computer. It is dangerous to let it stay on all the time. Why? Here are the reasons:-

• Your computer is made of solid metal, keeping it on makes it hot and there will come a time when either the system fails or the metal blasts.


• The computer needs rest.


• It uses a lot of electricity, if you let it stay on then your electrical voltmeter will cross its limit and your bill will skyrocket


• You will waste your time on the computer.

I read an article that said when we leave our computer on 24/7, they use up a lot of electricity.
I don't know if it is a bad thing to leave them running all the time, but as far as energy conservation goes, it is best to turn them off when we are not using them.

No it is not better. Everything needs rest even the computer. When you go to sleep turn it off and when you wake up turn it on. That's the best way.

Putting into consideration the problems that come along with leaving computers on.For example un planned load shedding and short circuits.These can damage the computer. I think it should only be left on while in use or when someone is expected to use it.