Some Myths and Facts about Power Management*
Myth: Computers have a shorter life when you turn them on and off frequently.

Fact: Hard disks in PCs older than 10 years did not automatically park their heads when shut off, leading to disk damage from frequent on/off power cycling. Newer PCs are designed to handle over 40,000 on/off cycles.

Myth: Turning your computer off uses more energy than leaving it on.

Fact: The surge of power when a computer is turned off lasts a few seconds and is insignificant compared to the sustained energy used in keeping it on during periods of inactivity.

Myth: As long as the computer is off, it's not using any power.

Fact: As long as they are plugged in, your computer and other electronic devices continue to use electricity – even when they are turned off or in standby mode. A computer uses up to 10 watts when it is turned off but still plugged in.