will time machine continue to backup even if computer goes to sleep

I think a more accurate wording would be: your computer SHOULD not go to sleep until the backup is done. My desktop Pro always goes to sleep and stops the backup. A recent update, 10.8.5, was supposed to address some sleep issues. Perhaps this was one of them. Unfortunately, the update seemed to have no effect. My MacBooks do a better job of delaying sleep to backup.

carlfromhayden wrote:

when time machine starts backing up and the computer goes into sleep mode, will time machine continue to run?

Usually, it won't go to sleep until the backup is done.

But if it does, the backup will be cancelled, and restarted after your Mac wakes up. The next backup may take a bit longer, but will be fine.

This Apple Discussion thread might be interest to you.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2783332?start=0&tstart=0

You could use the simple app "caffeine" to keep your pro on while it backs up, just an idea

Thanks. Will give it a try. Can't beat free.