Dear Lifehacker,

I’ve heard it’s bad to shut down your computer every night. Is it really better to leave it on all the time? I have a high-end machine and want to take care of it but I don’t know the best way to do that.

Sincerely,

Puzzled by Power

Dear PbP,

We’re not sure how it all started, but the idea that it’s harmful to shut your computer down every night is a myth. Unless you shut it down incorrectly (e.g. ripping out the power cable and laughing maniacally), there’s really nothing to worry about. In fact, shutting down your computer every night offers a few advantages. First and foremost, it won’t draw as much power when off. Additionally, you don’t have to remember to turn off the sound each night so it doesn’t wake you up with an unexpected alert. That said, keeping your computer powered on overnight has advantages as well. An always-running computer can act as a server and handle tasks while you’re sleeping. Whether you shut down regularly or keep your computer running indefinitely really depends on your needs. Let’s take a deeper look at the pros and cons of both options and how you can deal with the downsides.

via Is it Bad to Shutdown My Computer Regularly or Leave It On All the Time?.