Is it ok to leave my laptop on running over nite

I left my sager 8887 running 99% of the time, other then travel time to and from work for 3+ years. I leave my dell on most of the time, unless its running on batteries.

It is 100% OK to leave it on overnight. I have been doing that for years with no ill effects, but a couple of suggestions to make sure:

1. Set the screen to turn off after some inactivity (eg: 5 mins) in the power options. This will prolong backlight life, etc...

2. If you are leaving it plugged in and on for long periods of time, remove the battery (this can be done while the laptop is on). This will prolong the battery life.

Stu

I leave mine on over night quite often - One thing I did go out and buy was a Kesington laptop riser, not only does it make it more comfy whilst typing etc but it keeps it really cool too as the back end is lifted clear of the surface it would normally be resting on.

I've left mine on overnight. I just have the screen just turn off after 10 minutes.

It is fine to leave it on overnight, I leave ALL my computers on 24/7 (especially my servers)...

You may see reduced life span, but nothing drastic thats for sure. Most hardware is rated at 50,000 hours (roughly 5-6 years). So you can expect 5-6 years out of your equipment if you leave it on 24/7.

Now of course if you have your hard drive spinning and writing data CONSTANTLY for a few years it will definately show the signs of stress and possibly fail. (heat comes into play to add stress)

Mostly its mechanical things that will fail on you before anythign else (hd, fans, cd-roms) And they arent expensive to replace.. but if a fan dies and stuff overheats, thats where your problems come in... but now a days motherboards shutdown after X temp.

All in all, your perfectally safe and fine to leave it on.

I have a XPS Gen2 laptop that has been running for 24/7 for the past 20 months and it has worked flawlessly for me. – Never a problem.

marly

FYI, your PC is off while hibernating. Not that you ever said it was on, or anything . . .

Yeah lol he just said he leaves it, nothing about on or off...
When I know I'll be back within the hour I just close the lid which turns off the screen, but otherwise I just quicky tap Fn+Esc for standby and close the lid, and it goes to standby within seconds and then when I'm ready to use it again, I jab the power button and type my (long) password, and it's ready. I think it's a nice medium between leaving it on all the time and turning it completely off.

One thing to mention, but this is kinda obvious so you probably know it - don't leave it on when you put it in a bag. I'm not even going to go into explanation about that one, but in case you didn't think about it, there you go. Otherwise, as long as it has enough ventilation that it won't cook itself, it should be fine to leave on.

Also you should note if using windows after about 40 some odd days without rebooting you'll get BSOD. Sooner if you're actually using it daily.

I think if you leave a windows machine running without touching it, after 44 days it'll go blue screen on you. Linux on the other hand im at 786 days and counting

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Once thing that has not been mentioned besides the issues above is the risk of FIRE on any portable battery powered device, or something that has a plastic case/components in close contact with major internal parts 24/7. Laptop isn't a commercial grade server, nor designed as such.


As a safety measure you need to do two simple things:

A: Make sure you have working smoke detectors in the area.
B: Have a working fire extinguisher.


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I think you'd be surprised, if you actually USED WINDOWS. I know you Linux users have a perfect world (that's sarcasm, by the way) but you have to understand we are not living in the days of Windows 98 any more. That's all I'm going to say...

And yes, WeAreNotAlone, there is always risk of fire in all computers, but I wouldn't exactly say laptops are under more risk than desktops, unless you expose them to greater heat. They are made of similar, if not better, quality components, and they are adequately cooled unless the vents are blocked (or the fans are damaged). My step-dad leaves his work laptop running as if it were a desktop, and sitting on a desk on top of a paper calendar, and he has been doing this for at least 5 years (going through a couple laptops as they become obsolete, of course). I suppose it's worth mentioning that the laptops were Dells too (and I guess we are lucky he didn't get one of the faulty batteries ) but there have been no fires, and his laptop has had absolutely no problems. He also travels with it, every few weeks. I think this is a great example of just how good a Dell computer can be, although I'm sure it would be the same way with any of the other manufacturers today since they all have similar quality.

So I really think it's safe to leave a laptop running as you would a desktop. Some people prefer to shut down and start up their desktop each day, some prefer to put it on standby (or have it automatically do so), and some prefer to leave them running 24/7, and I think a laptop should be treated no differently except when on battery of course.

Too true, my old man has a desktop PC which he leaves on 24/7 and has done for years. Over the years he has ran windows 98 and windows xp and not once has he complain of a BSOD. I would know if he had any problems as he always comes to me to sort them out.

He now uses a laptop as his base unit, with monitor, keyboard and mouse plugged in and he still leaves it on 24/7... to date his house hasnt burnt down.

I always leave my XPS M1710 on overnight when im downloading... erm (cough).. stuff, and I have never had a problem with heat. I used to do the same with my Sony Vaio before this too.

it's all just tosh n nonsense!

Yea man, laptop is a server... leave it on 24/7... while you're at it throw a load of clothes in the dryer, fire it up and walk away leaving it unattended...

Fires never happen. Power supplies, etc never overheat, Power cords never get pulled, or chewed on by your dog..

Fire always happens to someone else.

One last thing, while your at it remove the batteries from all the smoke detectors in your house..

You'll never be affected by a fire...

PS: Don't tell anyone, but laptops are built like a commercial grade server that IS designed to run 24/7.... and laptops have a 1,000 year lifespan. Each part within them is prefect, and will never degrade, run hot, or short out.

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O M F G... We're all going to die! We're doomed, doomed I tell ye'all.

Jesus christ bananas man, you are one paranoid dude... I bet you go around and unplug every socket in the house before going to bed and then probably get up again in the night to double check. Then while your up you probably go around testing youre twenty eight fire detectors to make sure the batteries are all fine still.

I do leave my dryer on while I am out but it's on a timer and turns off after 30 mins as I usually find my clothes are dry by then. I also leave my laptop on quite often over night and can honestly say the battery feels no hotter being left on 24/7 than if I had only had it on for half an hour.

Now if you will excuse me, I have just put the chip pan on to heat up but realised I need to pop out to iceland to buy some frozen chips - it should be nice and hot by the time I get back... mmm chips.

joeboblock, How old are you? Just curious? On the dryer.... I've run across several people who have had their house burn down due to the dryer. It's more common than you think. I've know people personally and professionally that have had their house burn down due to electrical fires. On the computer comments... glad to hear you've never had a fire, but the fact is a laptop is not a commercial grade server that's designed to run 24/7.... On the smoke detector comments.... well that doesn't even bother a response to the comments you made. Hey, let me ask you this... on another board someone was talking about putting (desktop) components inside a cardboard box, or piece of carboard, laying the motherboard directly on the cardboard leaving everything exposed... and was planning on running it 24/7... Cardboard.... Instead of a "metal" PC housing that in case there was something to go wrong the fire would be contained to some extent.... What do you think about that? Good idea, right?... Several of the younger posters were saying they'd just run the thing without any case at all.... Great idea... Especially if you have a dog or cat that likes to chew on wires, eh? I challenged the man to take the completed rig down to his local fire station and ask the guys that fight fires everyday about that... plus take it down so his insurance agent could take a look at it (homeowners /renters insurance..) I bet you: A: A cardboard box wouldn't get the UL stamp on it, and the firefighters who battle fires everyday would let you know what a fool you are. and B: Your insurance agent might cancel your policy, or raise your rates... .

34 - whats that got to do with anything. You're the one who went into a tantrum because no-one was listening to you!!! Ok I admit defaeat on that one... bad example. Tumbe dryer fires do happen and I dont really leave mine on whilst im out, but then Dell don't make tumble dryers, if they did I would probably leave it on! Well I have always been a firm beleiver that you get what you pay for. If ever I built a desktop rig using a £15 PSU and other cheap components then MAYBE I would be cautious if leaving it on long term. But the rigs I do build normally have £60+ PSU's and I always buy quality components which I can be confident in, so I would have no worries what soever leaving them on long term. The same applies to laptops,beleive it or not the techniology has come a long way in recent years. If the original thread was posted under 'NotebookForums.com>under £300 laptops> Is it ok to leave my laptop on running over nite' then I would have probably said no. But it wasnt, we are talking about Dells which are generally considered to be one of the higher build quality laptop suppliers. I have checked Dells website and their instructions and cannot find any advice about not leaving them running. Also I think it's complete bull that only commercial grade servers can be left running, who says, where is the evidence or even the manufacturers warnings? Loads and loads of people leave their desktops and laptops running without fault. I am sure most people are aware that there is a very small risk of fires being started from electrical items and saying things like accidents never happen is just dumb! Do you also post on motoring forums advising people to drive below 50mph in case they have a blow-out? Fair enough! What! What the hell does that have to do with what we are talking about - are you going to start telling me what you have seen on an episode of Jackass next and then making out like it was me who did it? Lighten up man - there are risks in this world we all know that but your second post was a slight over reaction I'm sure most would agree.

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You guys sound just like the people that were saying there was nothing wrong with the Dell (Sony) batteries before the recall.

Post a simple suggestion to make sure your smoke detectors have batteries in them http://www.notebookforums.com/post2493170-13.html and of course you get people saying a laptop is the same thing as a server... that there is no greater risk of fire happening in a laptop than a commercial grade server that IS designed to run 24/7.

On the reason I asked for your age... well when you're young you think you will live forever, and nothing bad will ever happen to you.... That "stuff" always happens to other people.

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