Laptops are not meant to be "perpetually on" because doing so can lead to physical damage from overheating, battery degradation over time, and software performance issues like slowdowns and glitches. Shutting down or properly sleeping your laptop does not allow for essential system updates, clearing temporary files, and restoring system stability, ultimately extending its overall lifespan. A restart performs a full system refresh, closing all apps, clearing memory and reloading the operating system but a shutdown, often on modern "Fast Startup" saves core system files, only turns off power and does not do any reset of the system.
Risks of Leaving a Laptop Always On
Overheating and Component Damage:
Prolonged use generates heat, which can damage critical components like the power supply and graphics card, potentially leading to failure.
Battery Degradation:
Keeping a laptop plugged in continuously can shorten its battery life. While modern batteries have protection, avoiding constant 100% charge helps maintain battery health.
Software and Performance Issues:
Continuous operation can lead to an accumulation of temporary files, unfinished software updates, and running background processes that can cause system slowdowns and glitches.
Why a Restart is Beneficial
System Updates and Restarts:
Restarting allows the operating system to perform necessary updates and restart background processes, which can improve overall system stability and performance.
Clears Temporary Files:
A restart provides a fresh start by clearing out temporary cache files that can build up and slow down the system.
Reduces Wear on Components:
Turning off the laptop gives its internal components, especially the fan, a break from continuous operation, helping to prevent premature wear.
Best Practices for Laptop Use
Shut Down Daily or Use Sleep Mode:
For most users, it is a good practice to shut down the laptop completely or put it to sleep each day to allow for system maintenance and to reduce heat exposure. But do make sure to do a restart at least once a week so that the system files gets to refresh.
Ensure Proper Ventilation:
Always place your laptop on a hard, flat surface to ensure proper airflow and prevent heat buildup.
Manage Battery Health:
When possible, try to avoid leaving the laptop plugged in constantly. Cycling the battery between 30% and 70% charge can be beneficial for its longevity.
VERY IMPORTANT NOTE:
Your computer settings may differ when on power and when on battery. To preserve battery life, your screen may be turned off after certain time of inactivity and sleep when longer time of inactivity. And when on power, it may run in optimum performance.
Initiating a shutdown and immediately closing the lid is a common workflow, but it can cause unexpected reboots or incomplete shutdowns due to hardware sleep sensors or fast-startup overrides.
Be patient by allowing your machine to fully shutdown before closing the lid and then putting it into your bag. However, if you plan to put your laptop in sleep mode, unplug external power first. This is so that your OS learns that battery mode takes over and when on battery, closing the lid will put machine to sleep mode.
References:
https://nerdsonsite.com/blog/is-it-ok-to-leave-your-computer-on-24-7-heres-the-truth/https://www.asurion.com/connect/tech-tips/how-to-make-laptop-battery-last-longer/
https://www.asus.com/in/content/dos-and-donts-while-charging-your-laptop/
https://www.asurion.com/connect/tech-tips/is-it-ok-to-leave-your-computer-on/
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/1361004/shut-down-or-sleep
