Is it hard on a laptop to leave it on 24/7?

jamesbond007

Diamond Member
Dec 21, 2000
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Hey there. I'm considering getting a new laptop to use as my main "desktop replacement". Now, I normally leave all of my desktops on 24/7. I'm wondering if I leave the laptop on all the time if it will hurt it at all? I'd definitely set the LCD to turn off after a period of time, but the rest would be fully powered at all times. Are there any components that would greatly suffer from this?

TIA,
JB007
 

ojai00

Diamond Member
Sep 29, 2001
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Your battery most likely, but you can take that out and let it run on AC power. Laptops get pretty hot though, and that might turn out to be a problem in the long run. You don't have the option of adding extra fans like you do in desktops. I would say just turn it on when you need it, but that's just my opinion because I've never done that before. Others might say differently. Hope this helps.
 

AluminumStudios

Senior member
Sep 7, 2001
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I've always had the same concerns. I have a laptop that I leave on at work 24/7. It's been running pretty much non-stop since July of last year :confused:

It's an older PII so heat isn't as much of a problem and it's been fine so far. I would have concerns with new laptops because Intel speed step for example usually only slows down the CPU when it is powered by batter, so it would run hot most of the time. Also, a rechargable battery that is always charged will loose it's ability to hold a good charge after a while, so I agree with ojai00 that you should probably not leave a battery in it..

 

shlznit

Member
Dec 12, 2001
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I have a Dell Inspiron 8100. PIII 1GHz, GeForce2 Go and I leave it on almost 24/7. I haven't had any problems with it at all. I agree with removing the battery if you are going to leave it on all the time, that is what I do to help prolong its life. Other than that, heat isn't much of a problem so you shouldn't have to deal with any complications over time. The only other thing I would do is to check with the manufacture and see if they recommend why you should not leave it on 24/7. If they can't come up with anything good, go for it! (btw. I am using this as my main computer now and I love having the ability to carry it where ever I please)
 

jamesbond007

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Dec 21, 2000
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(btw. I am using this as my main computer now and I love having the ability to carry it where ever I please)

That's what I want to do too! I love it because laptops don't make any noise. Much better than my CAK38s. :)

Any other inputs or experience? I too am looking at a Dell 8100.

LMK!
 

exorr

Senior member
Jul 22, 2001
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Since I can't think of anything good to come of leaving your laptop on 24/7 why not just turn it off when its not in use? Honestly it will take 1 or 2 minutes to boot, not the end of the world. Or maybe just turn it off before bed, etc. I can understand wanting it on while your awake, but when your sleeping you may as well turn it off. It can't hurt...
 

jamesbond007

Diamond Member
Dec 21, 2000
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I leave my computer on because throughout the day, I'm on and off of it. I will go on to check my mail, write a paper, play some games, message people, etc. I use a program called PC Alarm that plays through my speakers to wake me up in the morning. I'm a deep sleeper and since I don't get much sleep to begin with, it's hard to wake me up. That's why I have no problems with my Klipsch 5.1s waking me up. :D Your average alarm clock will just not cut it for me. Plus, I listen to deep ambient (Cryosleep) on Shoutcast while I sleep. On my days off from work, I spend most of the time on the Internet reading about computer hardware and the latest technology news.

This is why I leave mine on 24/7.
 

Jeff7

Lifer
Jan 4, 2001
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jamesbond007

Diamond Member
Dec 21, 2000
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Hahah! Nice mod on the laptop. I've seen modded desktops, mice, monitors, and the alike, but never a laptop! :D

Very very cool, Jeff.
 

Conroy9

Senior member
Jan 28, 2000
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From what I've heard, LiIon and NiMh batteries *don't* have a problem with being constantly charged with a small trickle charge. It looks like the lifetime of LiIon batteries is measured in terms of # of discharges, so it's better to always have it charged than to keep charging and discharging it...

I could be wrong, but I saw someone else mention this in another thread too.