You keep your iMac on all the time?

[divedude]

I have four computers. Three of them get shutdown when they are not going to be in use for several hours. The other one captures feeds from my security cameras, so it is on around the clock.

 

[MrGeePee]

Mine gets turned off when not in use (when at work and at night).

Me too. I've always done this with my previous PC's

Is it safer to just leave it on 24/7 ?

The main reason i turn it off is because the iMac is in my bedroom and the slightest noise usually keeps me awake.

 

[Big-TDI-Guy]

It's not really safer. MAYBE you save read/write head wear and tear on your HD because it's not parking the head each time you spin down and spin up. (head wear occurs mainly during those times - kinda like a car engine - most wear on startup) But unless your computer is active, it will spin down the dives even when on.

Anyhow, while saving some systems from boot cycles, you're greatly increasing the likelihood of experiencing voltage spikes, power outages, and dust / debris collection inside the computer - which in itself can lead to failures.

Also things like a backlight have limited life-spans, and will degrade if the monitor isn't powered down (or "slept"). As well as anything that moves (fans, drives ect...)

EVERY COMPONENT wears / ages with use - but you have to be aware that most computers will be pretty obsolete by the time your solid state components will start dyeing off.

 

[MrGeePee]

It's not really safer. MAYBE you save read/write head wear and tear on your HD because it's not parking the head each time you spin down and spin up. (head wear occurs mainly during those times - kinda like a car engine - most wear on startup) But unless your computer is active, it will spin down the dives even when on.

Anyhow, while saving some systems from boot cycles, you're greatly increasing the likelihood of experiencing voltage spikes, power outages, and dust / debris collection inside the computer - which in itself can lead to failures.

Also things like a backlight have limited life-spans, and will degrade if the monitor isn't powered down (or "slept"). As well as anything that moves (fans, drives ect...)

EVERY COMPONENT wears / ages with use - but you have to be aware that most computers will be pretty obsolete by the time your solid state components will start dyeing off.

Thanks allot!