Is your computer running slower than normal?
When was the last time you shut it down? If it’s been a while, or you can’t remember the last time it was shut down, that could be the reason why it’s slowing down.
We know it can be annoying to wait for your system to reboot, but turning off regularly is better for your computer than leaving it on for days or weeks at a time. Read on to learn why, and understand the importance of shutting down regularly to make it a habit.
Understanding Sleep vs. Power Off
Depending on the settings of your system, it may go to sleep after a certain amount of time spent idle. Sleep differs from shutting down in that the system is still technically on, but it’s in more of a standby mode; the internal hardware, like the hard drive, are slowed down when the system enters sleep mode. Powering off, on the other hand, means the system is, well, off. There is no electric current being sent to the computer, and the hardware is not experiencing excess wear and tear. Each computer user is different. Each person uses their computer for a different purpose, and for different durations each day. We’ll discuss the proper time to sleep and the proper time to power off.
Computers Need to “Sleep” Just Like People
By this, we mean that computers need a full rest by shutting down. Just as we need to sleep to recharge and feel energized in the morning, so too, do computers. Leaving your system on 24/7 effectively prematurely ages the hardware inside. When your computer doesn’t get to rest, you can imagine how it will function, just how we function on few hours or no sleep at all. When you’re computer’s being wonky, loading slowly, and freezing often, ask yourself when the last time was that you shut down.
When to Power Down & When To Sleep
As we mentioned, there will be different standards for different computer users. For example, if you only use your computer a few times a day, and for only a short period at a time, you will be better off using the sleep mode. On the weekends or times you’re not using your computer, power down. According to Digital Trends, turning your computer off and on requires a strong surge of power each time, so to power up and power down each time you want to use your computer in one day is not beneficial. In this case, you’d want to put your computer on sleep.
If you’re on you computer for extended hours per day, and use your computer like this most days of the week, you will want to shut down properly every day. Using your computer often, and putting stress on your hardware and software will require a complete break, and power off daily.
Lifetime of Computer
Did you know that computers have expected lifetimes? This means that your system will inevitably die, known as a device failure. Brand new devices are just as likely to fail as devices that are nearing the end of their lives. However, devices in the middle of their lives are at extremely low risk of failing. This creates a curve in the shape of a bathtub – the bathtub curve – by which the lifetimes of devices are measured.
Aging Computers
But how do computers fail? Well, it’s not the whole system that goes at once. Rather, each piece of hardware ages due to a number of factors, such as use, temperature, and stress. Stress, in this case, refers to the system having to turn off and on too frequently – yes, it is possible to shut down your computer too frequently. Most tech experts recommend shutting down at least twice a week, or if you’re not going to use the system for a couple of days, like when the office closes for the weekend. Your computer needs a break, but shutting down too much can be counterintuitive. On the other hand, shutting down also gives your computer a chance to install new software or patches to fix bugs in the code. Read this piece on the importance of regularly updating software.
Computer Warranty
While your computer is still under warranty, meaning it’s still in its prime, you would do well to “train” it to handle stress – shut it down when you’re not using it. If by chance the computer fails, the warranty will cover the cost of buying a new one. However, as the computer reaches the end of its lifetime, it may be treacherous to shut it down frequently. Leaving an older machine on might help to extend its lifetime, though this hasn’t been proven.
So, the debate as to whether you should shut down your computer or leave it on is somewhat convoluted. According to the bathtub curve, newer systems and those in the middle of their lifetimes should be shut down at least twice a week, whereas older systems should be left on to reduce the stress they’re exposed to from frequent shutdowns and boot ups.
For more information about your computer’s health and longevity, contact M&H Consulting by phone at 1-(866)-964-8324, or visit our website at http://www.mhconsults.com.
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