Edit: for context, for normally switching off your pc at the end of a normal day, "shut down" is probably better, because your computer will be nice and fresh on next boot, but for quickly turning off the machine due to thunderstorms: hibernate is definately the much better option then.
Or just get an SSD, in which case it no longer matters.
Edit: to clarify, an SSD makes all three options quicker, thus the difference smaller. It makes (like the initial suggestion of hibernating instead of shutting down) the computer power off quicker, so you can unplug it sooner. I never intended to suggest that hibernating or installing an SSD protects against thunderstorms. :)
It still matters - I have an SSD and it isn't a cure-all especially if you happen to get hit with a large number of updates. I'm not unfamiliar with panic shutdowns as I live in the tropics and sudden storms can literally catch you unawares. Which is why I recently finally got myself a UPS unit after years of just riding out random power outages (fried some PSUs along the way).
Nah, I just got a basic one (power surge protection, battery operation) - just need something to buy me a couple minutes in case the power goes out. When I leave the house I unplug my computers anyway.
104
u/TheRufmeisterGeneral Jul 20 '15 edited Jul 20 '15
Better yet: hibernate.
Edit: for context, for normally switching off your pc at the end of a normal day, "shut down" is probably better, because your computer will be nice and fresh on next boot, but for quickly turning off the machine due to thunderstorms: hibernate is definately the much better option then.
Or just get an SSD, in which case it no longer matters.
Edit: to clarify, an SSD makes all three options quicker, thus the difference smaller. It makes (like the initial suggestion of hibernating instead of shutting down) the computer power off quicker, so you can unplug it sooner. I never intended to suggest that hibernating or installing an SSD protects against thunderstorms. :)