Not sure who to ask

[technomonkey]

I remember years ago, hearing that computers consume more power by frequently starting up and shutting down than it would take to just let them run all day.  I think the number I heard back then was 3 -- if you're going to turn the computer on and off three times or more over the course of the day, you'd be better off just leaving it on

Comments

[bigevil]

I do believe that is the case. It's probably best to leave it running for the day and shut it off once at the end of said day.

[lqc]

Really its probably very dependent on the specifics of the computer and what its being used for. But from my experience there are lots of ways to minimize the power usage through sleep mode and such that are good enough compared to turning it off. And honestly compared to like A/C the power used is minimal.