Deciding whether to leave your computer on all the time or to turn it on and off as you need to use it has produced much controversy in computer circles. Some say that turning your computer on and off several times a day can cause unnecessary wear on the on-off switch, hard disk, and other mechanical parts. Others worry about using unnecessary electricity if you keep the computer on all the time.

When Windows first appeared, it was quite beneficial to turn the computer off everyday so that all the Windows components could reset. This peculiarity lasted all the way through Windows XP. I find that XP computers perform better when they are turned off occasionally. The Vista operating system is better written. I find that I can run it for days or even weeks without seeing any benefit from rebooting. Also, many of the newer computers come with special features to help conserve power.

In general though, here's a good rule of thumb. Avoid turning your computer off and on constantly. If you know you will not be using the computer for twelve hours or more, turn it off. Otherwise, leave it on.
If you have an older computer and you do leave it on all the time, it's a good idea to turn it off once a week to let the computer reset itself.