| Manufacturer
/ Expert |
Computers |
Monitors |
Compaq
Asked if switching their unit off up to six times a
day would result in damage to the equipment |
Stated
that the modern PC's power switch is a 'soft switch' and that
'inrush' power damage is no longer happening. They recommend
turning their PC's off. |
Asserted
that their monitors are built to last many years and frequent
switching should not contribute to shorter equipment life. |
Department
of Industry, Science and Resources
"Office equipment" Web site |
"Modern
computers are designed to be switched off when not in use. Indeed,
switching off is likely to prolong their lives as the hard disk
is less likely to fail if it runs for shorter periods". |
"If
a computer has to stay on (for any reason) the screen (monitor),
which uses more than the computer itself, can be switched off
when not in use". |
| Energy
Conservation Authority of NZ "Exploding the myths"
Web site |
"Some
people still believe it is not a good idea to turn PCs off after
use. Here are the answers: 1.Switching a PC off and restarting
will NOT damage the hard drive or electronic components. 2.A
computer uses NO extra energy on starting up. 3. Screen savers
do NOT save energy. 4.PCs and monitors DO use a lot of energy."
|
Gateway
Computers
Asked if switching their unit off up to six times a day would
result in damage to the equipment |
Do
not believe turning computers on and off four times each day
would cause a reduction in normal life. |
"Unlikely
to observe any deterioration of monitor compared to one being
left on continuously" "Degausing is beneficial for screen clarity" |
| Hewlett
Packard Asked if switching their unit off up to six
times a day would result in damage to the equipment |
"Switching
on and off will do no damage". |
Advice
received from technical support staff was; "Switch off - better
off - always" - "it will extend the life of the system and monitor. |
IBM
Computers
Asked if switching their unit off up to six times a day
would result in damage to the equipment |
First
response indicated a concern only for thermal stress on the
computers CPU. A second respondent said switching it off a number
of times each day shouldn't harm it if the correct shutdown
procedure is followed. In the USA, this computer giant encourages
employees to turn off their machines at night [source: USA dept.
of energy]. A computer switch-off campaign will soon be implemented
in Sydney's IBM offices. |
The
two representatives contacted agreed that monitors should be
turned off, even for short periods to prevent early |
NEC
Asked if switching their unit off up to six times a day would
result in damage to the equipment |
"In
any appliance, constant switching on and off will result in
possible mechanical or electronic failure. Computers prefer
to be left on all the time". Would not recommend switching off
for non-use periods of less than 1/2 hour. |
"No
problems foreseen" |
| Optima
Computers Asked if switching their unit off up to
six times a day would result in damage to the equipment |
Stated
that they had "no reservations whatsoever" with turning computers
on and off six times each day. The switched-mode power supplies
they use do not allow high in-rush currents, which have the
potential to stress electronic components. They also disable
the inbuilt power management system because of the potential
incompatibility between hardware and user software. |
Comments
regarding computers also apply to their monitors - "No reservations
whatsoever" |
|
Samsung
Asked
if switching their unit off up to six times a day would result
in damage to the equipment
|
Would
not recommend turning the computer on and off more than 4-5
times each day. "The hard disk drive would be worn out sooner" |
Two
opposing opinions received (1) "No harm to monitor as this is
their normal operation - same as TV's. Leaving monitors on continuously
is abnormal." (2) "In general, an average life-span is certain
for any electronic device. Every time you switch the monitor
back on there is an impact to related components, for instance,
the switched mode IC in the power supply circuit" |
| University
of California Lawrence Berkeley Lab for US Dept. of Energy |
Would
not recommend turning the computer on and off more than 4-5
times each day. "The hard disk drive would be worn out sooner"
"Power down the system at night and on weekends. This option
will save energy and extend the life of your computer. It is
a common myth that turning computer off and on is bad for it.
Research on current technology shows an improvement in system
life when the equipment is turned off, since heat and mechanical
stress are the two leading causes of computer failure. On older
equipment there was concern about power cycling stress (particularly
on hard disks) but this is no longer true". |
"If
you are really conscientious, you can turn off your monitor
anytime you will be away from your desk for at least half an
hour". |
| University
of Tasmania Information Technology Services |
"Most
experts agree that turning PC equipment off at night or a few
times a day will not appreciably affect its useful life. Electronic
equipment life is a function of operating hours and heat. Both
of these factors are reduced when equipment is switched off.
Modern drives are designed to operate reliably for many thousands
of hours including thousands of on/off cycles". |
"If
you must leave your computer (CPU) on while you are not actively
working on it, turn off your monitor". "The best screen saver
is also the best energy saver, i.e. turn of your computer when
you are not using |
