Turn laptop off at night?

[sputkin]

I've always heard that it's best to just leave desktops running all the time, 24/7 (constant heating and cooling from turning on/off all the time causes more wear on parts than leaving them on all the time, is that the main reason? is this even true?).

Anyway, question is... does the same hold true for laptops? I don't often move mine, often it'll sit in one spot on my desk for days, in use mostly in the evening and at night, so should I shut it down at night if I know I won't be using it for another 12 hours or just leave it on? Basically I'd like to know what will extend it's usable life the longest. Will doing one thing or another even make any real difference? And this would be all on AC power btw, so I'm not worried about wear on the battery. Maybe this is more theoretical than anything but I'd be interested in any thoughts......

 

[atomicfire]

If you leave it plugged in for extended periods of time (more than a week at a time), i'd remove the battery. Leaving a battery in like that is bad, and makes it hold less of a charge.

Otherwise, I leave my thinkpad T41 on 24/7, no problems there. Just make sure that the fan ports are free to exhauust the hot air.

-AtomicFire

 

[bobbyZ34]

I would definately say NO. Laptops are built so compact (not much air in there) I don't believe they can dissipate the heat as well as desktops. Although I'm sure the manufacturer would say sure....

 

[sputkin]

Originally posted by: bobbyZ34
I would definately say NO. Laptops are built so compact (not much air in there) I don't believe they can dissipate the heat as well as desktops. Although I'm sure the manufacturer would say sure....

Thank's kind of my thought.

Atomic, aren't modern Lithium-ion batteries supposed to be much better about that? I know that was definitely a problem with the old Ni based batteries.

 

[MadRat]

Exploding batteries are a real possibility if you live in a hot climate, but otherwise its not really the heat thats the problem.

The cost of repairing the laptop is much higher than a comparable desktop. Why wear it out faster. I say let it hibernate or at least settle into standby when not being used. And secondly, never run 24/7 projects like DC on the laptop so it can get its sleep while idle.

 

[bigj3347]

I go home on weekends and during the week, my laptop is always on the port replicator. Should I take out the battery in this case? I use it wirelessly at home and the battery is used then. Should I take my battery out during the week when it is plugged in at all times?