Since no one else has answered this...I'll take a stab at it, feel free to correct me if you know otherwise. I'm not positive and I've only used the hair room a few times, but if you're not animating, I don't believe you need to run the simulation. I think you would only use it if you wanted to add wind or movement. Personally, I don't use it. But if you do use it, then you can, play it back and use the frame that you like the best...like with the materials room.