Sleep your Mac, or turn off for the night? I've just learned that it is better to put my Mac to sleep when not in use, rather than turn off for the night. This came from a guy who is...

elliott937 Loc: St. Louis

I've just learned that it is better to put my Mac to sleep when not in use, rather than turn off for the night. This came from a guy who is very deep in the Apple world. He has had a computer on for seven years now, just putting it to sleep when he's away from it. He finally said that 'sleep' is almost the same thing as 'off'.

How many of you leave your computers on, and only put them to sleep when you are not using it?

Jim MacMahon Loc: Central Florida

I've used sleep on my macs going back many years.

Thombar Loc: Hominy, OK

I too have a Mac and have always put it to sleep when I'm done for the day!

docshark Loc: Millersville, PA

Mine has been on sleep when not in use for9 years now.
Doc

JAW Loc: LA

elliott937 wrote:

I've just learned that it is better to put my Mac to sleep when not in use, rather than turn off for the night. This came from a guy who is very deep in the Apple world. He has had a computer on for seven years now, just putting it to sleep when he's away from it. He finally said that 'sleep' is almost the same thing as 'off'.

How many of you leave your computers on, and only put them to sleep when you are not using it?

Yes, I do the same thing, I let my computer sleep so that through the night when not in use and when I'm not at my computer during the day it sleeps. I have my settings set for five minutes (sleep activation). if there is no movement or activity on the screen (through my mouse or video movement on the screen), my computer screen dims slightly after one minute letting me know it will go to sleep in four more minutes if no movement on the screen - any movement of the mouse revives the screen to full illumination and I continue on.
Settings for this on my Mac:

Click on the Apple Icon (in the upper left corner in your top menu)>click on System Preferences>then click on the Energy Savor icon and set your settings.

dljen Loc: Central PA

elliott937 wrote:

I've just learned that it is better to put my Mac to sleep when not in use, rather than turn off for the night. This came from a guy who is very deep in the Apple world. He has had a computer on for seven years now, just putting it to sleep when he's away from it. He finally said that 'sleep' is almost the same thing as 'off'.

How many of you leave your computers on, and only put them to sleep when you are not using it?

I've used Sleep Mode when not using my macs going back about 5 years. No problem.

elliott937 Loc: St. Louis

I'm enjoying what I'm reading, and I thank you for that. Putting my iMac to sleep will very new for me. But let me ask one more similar question. Have you had occasional times when the computer wakes -itself- back up? If you, did you learn what to do to prevent this?

LaurenT Loc: Northern California

I guess mine (Mac) is also asleep. I just close the lid when I'm done, and lift it to go again. I do, however, power it off if I'm going to be gone for an extended period of time, like a vacation. :-)

wireman8 Loc: Toledo, Ohio

I fall asleep when I'm at my Mac but then that's another story.

JAW Loc: LA

elliott937 wrote:

I'm enjoying what I'm reading, and I thank you for that. Putting my iMac to sleep will very new for me. But let me ask one more similar question. Have you had occasional times when the computer wakes -itself- back up? If you, did you learn what to do to prevent this?

If the computer wakes, it is because there was an external stimulant of some kind - an earthquake for example or an inadvertent touch or movement of a keyboard key or movement of your mouse. To be sure, it wakes because it senses an external stimulation. You won't know how it works unless you set your Mac up to sample the computer sleeping - you can always set it back to your original settings if your not happy but you really need to try it first to see if you like your computer going to sleep - it wakes instantly - with no adverse sleep deprivation. :lol:

Ziza Loc: USA

elliott937 wrote:

I've just learned that it is better to put my Mac to sleep when not in use, rather than turn off for the night. This came from a guy who is very deep in the Apple world. He has had a computer on for seven years now, just putting it to sleep when he's away from it. He finally said that 'sleep' is almost the same thing as 'off'.

How many of you leave your computers on, and only put them to sleep when you are not using it?

This should help you make a decision.

Quote:

I recommend all Mac users to sleep their computers unless they won't be used for more than a day or two, and all Mac users should shut down their computers at least once a month to clean out all the gibbledygook that collects inside the components.

http://discussions.apple.com/message/17607707#17607707

Quote:

I'd say it depends on how much time you are leaving it inactive.

If you're going to sleep, I'd say turn it off completely, but if you're going to be inactive for 1-2 hours leaving it on sleep is just fine.

Keep it mind, having it in sleep mode might consume battery and keeps some hardware inside the computer running and it might cause overheating.

http://discussions.apple.com/message/22395584#22395584

Ziza Loc: USA

JAW wrote:

If the computer wakes, it is because there was an ... (show quote)

Or maybe someone is trying to steal someone else's online photo to use as his or hers. This should be enough to wake up the computer. LOL!!!

ChrisCat Loc: Lawn Guyland, New Yawk

At work, back in the 90s through early 2000s, IT had us log off/shut down at night so they could access our computers over the LAN network. At home, I've always shut down whenever I was going to be away from the computer for more than an hour. Even with a UPS, I'm concerned about power spikes -- it would alarm if I even turned on the vacuum cleaner from an outlet nearby! I'm also paranoid about being hacked. (I realize that, being connected to cable, it won't prevent hacking, but like I said, I'm paranoid.) So I usually start up and shut down several times a day. My current iMac is 6 years old, and never had a problem.

elliott937 wrote:

I've just learned that it is better to put my Mac to sleep when not in use, rather than turn off for the night. This came from a guy who is very deep in the Apple world. He has had a computer on for seven years now, just putting it to sleep when he's away from it. He finally said that 'sleep' is almost the same thing as 'off'.

How many of you leave your computers on, and only put them to sleep when you are not using it?

SPUD MAN Loc: IDAHO

I HAVE DONE IT FOR 8 YEARS WITH NO BAD AFFECTS.. IF I LEAVE FOR A WEEK OR SO I TURN IT OFF...

Johnsr Loc: TN

I only turn mine off when I go on a trip for several days.