COMPUTER users fall into one of two camps – those who believe it should be shut down after every use and those who hit the sleep button (or shut the laptop lid) and call it a day.
With each camp insisting that their method is the correct one, is it true that it is better to shut down your computer in between uses?
Verdict:
False
It is pertinent at this point to underline the difference between sleep mode and a full shut down.
To put it simply, sleep mode is akin to the computer closing its eyes for a quick nap. It goes into low-power mode but any programs and files you have open continue to run, and you can resume work in a matter of seconds after "waking" it up.
In contrast, a shut down computer is sleeping like a log and needs a good shake to wake up. Any processes running prior to the computer shutting down will also be stopped.
The claim is that shutting down the computer whenever it's not in use is better for the device, saves electricity and in the case of laptops, preserves battery life.
However, this is no longer the case for modern-day computers.
In fact, the US Department of Energy states that the difference in the amount of power drawn is only a watt or two when a computer is turned off completely versus staying in sleep mode.
As far as laptop battery life goes, making slight tweaks to your display such as turning down the brightness – and ensuring that you do not overcharge your device – can go a long way towards ensuring your battery stays in peak condition.
Leaving your computer in sleep mode can actually be beneficial as the device can perform scheduled background scans and other maintenance tasks while idle.
On the flip side, if your computer loses power or runs out of battery while it is in sleep mode, you might lose unsaved progress on any open files or programs.
It is only when you find that your computer is lagging or that performance is dropping that it might be worth it to shut down and do a full reboot.
This is because a computer naturally accumulates background processes as you use it and can cause your device to slow down. A reboot will clear out any stray apps and frees up memory from programs that did not close properly.
That aside, there is no harm in leaving your computer in sleep mode whenever it is not in use.
Some modern devices may even come with a "hibernation" mode, which is essentially a deeper-sleep mode that kicks in once the device is left idle for an extended period of time.
Of course, when you're on a shared computer (looking at you, office workers), make sure to sign out and shut down every time at the end of the day!
Sources:
1. rd.com/article/when-to-shut-down-computer
2. energystar.gov/products/low_carbon_it_campaign/put_your_computers_sleep/myths_realities
3. computer.howstuffworks.com/should-shut-down-computer.htm
