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iMac sleep mode vs shutdown preference

which is better. turning the iMack off at the end of the day or just let it go into sleep mode.


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Posted on Oct 31, 2024 2:29 PM

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7 replies

Oct 31, 2024 4:08 PM in response to Mutant_13

It appears you're going to get a lot of opinions.


I never shut down any of my Macs. Most of them are up 24/7/365 using backup power supplies and generators, because that's what my requirements happen to be. They sleep according to the default Energy Saver settings and wake when needed. They get restarted with software updates, but that's it.


Do you routinely shut down your iPhone? Or Apple Watch? Same answer.


Macs work best when they are ignored.

Oct 31, 2024 3:32 PM in response to Mutant_13

Not all, but some setups have a problem with auto and manual computer sleep mode.


Personally I have used the following Energy and Lock Screen settings for years.




I leave my Mac's on 24-7 and only allow the displays to turn off after 10 minutes.

I only restart maybe once a month and when required by a macOS update.

The only time I Shutdown, is for lighting ⚡️or when I'm away for a week.

Oct 31, 2024 4:37 PM in response to Mutant_13

I'm old school and turn my iMac off at night. That clears system and application temporary and swap caches, which if get damaged/corrupted can interfere with normal operations.


I've been doting that since the first Mac was released in 1984 and never had a problem.


But, if you don't want to shut down each night and have all SSDs in and connected to your iMac don't sleep but do what rkaufmann87 recommends.


iMac sleep mode vs shutdown preference

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