I'm so evil and... skanky. And I think I'm kinda gay.

Willow ,'Storyteller'


Buffistechnology 2: You Made Her So She Growls?  

Got a question about technology? Ask it here. Discussion of hardware, software, TiVos, multi-region DVDs, Windows, Macs, LINUX, hand-helds, iPods, anything tech related. Better than any helpdesk!


Jesse - Nov 11, 2006 6:54:45 pm PST #9462 of 10003
Sometimes I trip on how happy we could be.

Random question: Does it matter if I turn my computer off or not? It's a laptop that goes into snooze mode or whatever.


tommyrot - Nov 11, 2006 7:00:10 pm PST #9463 of 10003
Sir, it's not an offence to let your cat eat your bacon. Okay? And we don't arrest cats, I'm very sorry.

I don't know.

Sorry, for a long time I've been tempted to 'answer' a Buffistech question that way. And actually, that question has crossed my mind recently, as my iBook was not allowed to sleep (it would crash when it woke up) but my MacBook sleeps without a problem. So I pretty much only reboot it when it needs to be (updates, etc).

Um, there's still no point for this post, is there?


§ ita § - Nov 11, 2006 7:26:18 pm PST #9464 of 10003
Well not canonically, no, but this is transformative fiction.

I do remember hearing that you reduce the life of some of the components by powering on and off. How this rates against the reduction in life of other components, I couldn't tell you.

Boy, we're helpful today.


esse - Nov 12, 2006 2:17:52 am PST #9465 of 10003
S to the A -- using they/them pronouns!

I've heard that continually plugging the computer into the power source weakens the battery. Which doesn't necessarily have anything to do with turning it on or off. But it shouldn't matter--as my old boss used to say, they were designed to be kept on for essentially ever, so there's no point in turning them off. I usually find the performance is better if I leave it off for a day after a week or two of continual on-ness.


beth b - Nov 12, 2006 9:31:25 am PST #9466 of 10003
oh joy! Oh Rapture ! I have a brain!

I only turn off tthis computer when we are away for more than a weekend or if there is a reason that I am going to shut off the in this part of the house ( as in today - when we shut off the power to put in a dimmer switch)


Lee - Nov 12, 2006 9:37:15 am PST #9467 of 10003
The feeling you get when your brain finally lets your heart get in its pants.

I almost never turn mine off, though I try to remember to let it run off of the battery alone from time to time instead of having it plugged into the power source constantly.


Beverly - Nov 12, 2006 10:39:43 am PST #9468 of 10003
Days shrink and grow cold, sunlight through leaves is my song. Winter is long.

Aren't you supposed to take the battery out if you have the laptop plugged into the wall for more than a few hours? Or have I got that wrong?


Typo Boy - Nov 12, 2006 11:06:59 am PST #9469 of 10003
Calli: My people have a saying. A man who trusts can never be betrayed, only mistaken.Avon: Life expectancy among your people must be extremely short.

Aren't you supposed to take the battery out if you have the laptop plugged into the wall for more than a few hours? Or have I got that wrong?

The battery will last longer and hold a longer charge if do that. But if, like me, you use a lap top as a portable desktop, and have places to plug it it in everywhere you go then that may not be a high priority. And leaving the battery in can act as UPS if the power goes out suddenly. (You should still have a surge protector though.)


Jesse - Nov 12, 2006 11:22:45 am PST #9470 of 10003
Sometimes I trip on how happy we could be.

OK, so I won't bother turning it off so much, but will unplug it more. It's a plan, anyway.


esse - Nov 12, 2006 11:28:33 am PST #9471 of 10003
S to the A -- using they/them pronouns!

Did you need to turn it off for some reason, Jesse?