Is it okay to leave my laptop on over night?

[Kin2InuYasha]

Is it okay to leave my laptop on over night? Or for prolonged periods of time? I have it on my desk, with a chill pad underneath it. My room stays several degrees cooler than the rest of the house.

Is it okay to leave it on for prolonged periods of time?

Thank you.

[deddard]

It's normally ok to leave it on - heat is the biggest cause of problems with electronics, but I'd at least make sure the screen is powered off (to preserve the backlight)
The one issue is why do you want it on all night if you're not using it (I assume you're not)
Apart from the environmental issues (wasting energy) it will also cost money.
Use the hibernate function to put it to sleep, and just flickt he on switch if you need to wake it up quickly

[harryh31]

Hope it's ok to tag my similar query onto this thread.........

Does the same principle apply to a desk top computer, monitor,wireless crystal mouse, printer, router, modem,scanner etc...

Oh! and how often is it advisable to renew the CMOS battery in the PC.

Harryh31

[azzey]

Desktop computers are pretty much the same. There are two sides to the argument. (See this (http://www.pcguide.com/care/care/gen/power.htm) and this (http://www.pcguide.com/care/care/gen/powerOnOff-c.html))

The CMOS battery should ideally be changed every time you install a new motherboard and on a regular basis, but it's common to leave it alone until it gives you problems. There's no real danger in that.

[mjc]

The average life expectancy for the batter is three years or so...

[PrntRhd]

The average life expectancy for the batter is three years or so...
life expectancy for the CMOS battery.......

[mjc]

Ooops...had pancakes on the mind. :D

[harryh31]

Hope you enjoyed the pancakes...........and thanks for your assistance.
Harryh31

[TopChip7]

As with ALL electrical equipment they should NOT be left unattended.
I should ask a firefighter on the implications of NOT switching off electrical equipment!!!
Would you leave a cigarette burning in an ashtray overnight?

[mjc]

So, TC, you go around an UNPLUG all your electronics every night?

Almost ALL modern electronics remain "ON" at some level when the power switch is turned off...the big offenders are TVs (and related components) and computers (off is not off...but powers down to a very low level)...

Leaving a computer powered 24/7 is no more likely to cause a fire than leaving a refrigerator running.

[PrntRhd]

I agree with mjc, that is why electrical equipment is usually UL tested and approved for safety.

[mjc]

The fire argument is just FUD (Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt)

Here are some stats...

http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/statistics/national/residential/loss_fire.shtm

Notice that appliance fires are less than 2% of the total...that cooking is responsible for over 1/4th of fires.

BTW: My brother is a Captain in his local FD...