I definitely use it as a multi-purpose PC (DAW, gaming, general internet etc...), but then again I'm a hobbyist and don't have a need for dedicated DAW work as a business.
 
Most audio/video/(even)gaming machines have decent quality components that can handle these stress requirements. I don't see any reason why it can't be used as a multi-purpose machine.......just have to be careful in not visiting any unsavory websites.   

I would think the only reason not to use it for other things would be hardware or software conflicts. The potential to pick up a computer virus. Most are going to surf with the same computer anyhow, so the same protections apply.
 
There really shouldn't be any software conflicts if you closed one program before launching another intensive application.Even with multiple programs running, it usually isn't a problem other than the cpu taking more of a hit.
 
So no, I see no reason not to utilize those resources for other things. I would save my files though, just in case you have a problem. Nothing like working for days on a mix and then loosing it.
Hardware won't give you a notice before it fails. That can happen to a dedicated machine too.
 
I'm mostly away and do much of my email and social stuff on portable devices. Only use music computer occasionally for that stuff.
 
We have a few here who won't ever use their music computer online. It just never happened that way for me.

TheSteven
 
I just shut things down when I'm using my DAWs - like Chrome, Outlook, etc. and even my wireless connection (which does make a difference).

The difference you're speaking of is in latency (shutting down Chrome & Outlook) or?

On small projects I can multitask, on large projects with CPU hungry plugins and numerous Kontakt tracks I'm fighting for every drop of performance I can wring out of my PC. 

TheSteven

Mesh

TheSteven
 
I just shut things down when I'm using my DAWs - like Chrome, Outlook, etc. and even my wireless connection (which does make a difference).

The difference you're speaking of is in latency (shutting down Chrome & Outlook) or?

Chrome & Outlook - freeing up processor power, memory and avoiding unnecessary disc access.
Having the wireless on has caused audio issues including audio engine shutdown - don't know why but this makes a big difference.  

I generally don't have any other apps running when I'm doing DAW work, so haven't really tested that out......but, then again, I don't really use more than 30-40 tracks going on at once with fx's. Also, never have had any wireless stuff on at any time.
 
Thanks Steven
 
 

I have a separate computer for the family, but...

I have a multi boot setup on my DAW PC. When I migrated to an SSD last year, I kept the previous Window 7 installation and I now use that for video and image editing. I also have another W7 boot for general use and I use it on occasions when the family computer is otherwise engaged. The main boot has nothing else installed other than what I need for audio production.

I don't see a problem with multiple uses for your DAW, as long as you keep an eye on what resources the other apps are using. I would take a look at your startup programs and services and see if there's anything there that could potentially disrupt performance when streaming or processing audio. Some apps install things like background processes which check for updates and the like. Intuit software needs watching, and probably Adobe as well. For instance if you CTRL-ALT-DEL and look at your processes you'll see things like Adobe Helper and Adobe Update Service - it's always worth researching things like that and finding out if you really need them and if not, how to disable them.
 
Also watch for an app called f.lux which tones down your screen's brightness and warms the colors after sunset to help with sleep problems. Millions of people use it nowadays. It has a background process which continually polls the display to check whether other apps have disabled it, and this frequent polling causes audio glitches. I posted this on some audio production Reddits a while ago and was amazed at the response - hundreds of people saying wow, I was getting these glitches and I use f.lux and didn't even make the connection. It's an easy fix - you just go into the f.lux settings and select "safe mode." 
 
So basically it's perfectly feasible to use your DAW for other things as long as you keep a close eye out for problems, for which there are usually solutions. 

I built my desktop computer strictly to hold my DAW software (Sonar Platinum), plugins and soft synths and any other related audio software. I don't use it for anything else.  It is in an area of the house know as my studio and only I am allowed to go there.  ooohhhh  scary me !!!
 
For surfing the Internet or sending email or writing documents, I use my laptop or iPad.

I have a dual boot system with 2 completely separate SDD drives.
 
1st drive is for gaming/surfing etc. it is loaded with ESET security, Spyware scanner and a sandbox utility. I do online banking when using this OS drive too.
 
2nd drive has SONAR on it and is much leaner, no security software or anything else just windows built in firewall. No surfing is done when using this OS drive.
 
This way I can have a dedicated system for SONAR and still use it for games and surfing safely.
 
Acronis back-up is running on the 1st drive which backs up both drives to a 1TB HDD...Now and then the backup folders get copied over to a 1TB external USB drive.
 

My personal production, yes. For paying clients, no. 

I also use it for Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop since Adobe stopped supporting Vista, I use my old Vista PC for most other things but will probably have to replace it soon. Will probably get a laptop + docking station. When that happens that will probably become the photo editing PC, leaving the DAW for music.