False, current computers should have no issues being shut off and on frequently. The culprit in the past, not necessarily based on fact, was that the computer’s disk drive would wear out faster if you started and stopped it frequently (it has a spinning disk with read/write heads that are very close to the surface of the disk). By default in current operating systems, disk drives automatically turn off after a few minutes of inactivity. Shutting off your computer at night and turning off the powerstrip at night will save you money as you won’t be wasting electricity, and in my opinion, your computer will actually last longer doing this.

This was written on Sunday, February 14th, 2010 at 7:06 pm.