to shut down or to sleep, what`s better?

Sleeping

Many computer users almost NEVER shut down their computers. There are many positive benefits to this (especially if you're a Mac user). When a Mac goes to sleep, almost every component inside the computer is turned off; what is not turned off is set in a 'low-power mode'. The contents of the RAM and Video RAM are saved, the network ports might still get a little power, and a few other subsystems stay on, but pretty much everything else is off.

On a laptop, this mode uses VERY little battery power - if you're going to use your laptop again within a day or so without the power adaptor plugged in, this could actually save battery power, as shutting down/starting up uses a lot more energy (much more disk access, processor power, etc.). On a desktop, this could save a little energy (thus a few $$$), especially if you put it to sleep a few times a day when you know you won't be using it.

The best advantage to sleeping is that the computer (a) goes to sleep almost immediately, allowing quick transport of a laptop, and no vigilance after clicking 'Shut Down...' on a desktop, and (b) wakes up almost immediately, allowing you to get to work right away.

Shutting Down

Shutting down a computer has a few benefits as well. One is that NO power is being used at all - for laptops, it's best to shut it down if you're not going to use it for a day or two, as it will save a little bit of energy and heat from being wasted in your laptop. On a desktop, you might wish to shut down so that you can transport it, or if you won't use it for a long while.

Also, shutting down completely wipes away the computer's RAM (random access memory), which might have some corrupt/junk data left in it from various things the computer does. It also lets the computer's components cool down. I definitely recommend shutting down at least once a month or so.

However, when you shut down and start up your computer, the hard drive and other components get more wear and tear, and use more energy.

The Verdict

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.

from: http://homepage.mac.com/geerlingguy/mac_support/mac_help/pages/0018-sleep_or_shu tdown.html

If the computer is going to be used within next 8 hours sleep it.

If the computer is not going to be used within next 8 hours shut down.

Amazing, the stuff you find in manuals…

Don't get smart with me. I wasn't asking you to begin with. I've read my manual several times, and it doesn't specify an exact time frame (i.e. 8 hours, it's more vague). My apologies I do not recall info from older manuals, which may not even apply to new macs.

parker612 has given you some good information. His 'verdict' is valid but for the six years I have used MBPs, I have always shut them down after a session (putting then to sleep only during a session, and then very rarely). I might have several sessions a day. The MBPs have never suffered any issues from this procedure. My conclusion is to do what ever suits your needs and preference.

Ciao.

Sleep is better, having worked with electronics most of my life, most failure occur on start up or shut down.

Witha computer it is better to shut it off when it is going to be tranported any distance, (flight, long drive, jogging, etc.) as this hard shock can damge the elicate moving parts, HD, OD,and such.

If it sits at home, put it to sleep.

shldr2thewheel wrote:

Don't get smart with me.

Oy vey! (To say nothing of my ears and whiskers!)

I've read my manual several times, and it doesn't specify an exact time frame

So what does your manual say?

Incidentally, my point was simply this. Rather than asking such a question in an on-line forum, wouldn't it be better to get the correct answer straight away -- and straight from the horse's mouth?

Thanks for updating my information about this much written about subject.

OP asked a simple question, I answered it to the best of my knowledge.

The answer I posted was the answer I got from AppleCare in 2005.

I checked Apple Support Site, but I am yet to find a "must" or "must not" about sleep/shutdown.

When in this forum I abide by the rule "help but do no harm".

Thanks again.

I put mine to sleep when not in use and only restart it one or two times a month.

shldr2thewheel wrote:

where did you get this information from?

Dominic23 cites what used to be the standard advice in Mac manuals, some (I think long) time ago. Sorry I can't give you chapter and verse, but I remember it well. However, it doesn't seem to be Apple's current thinking. Check your MBPs user guides. Mine says,

"If you’ll be away from your MacBook Pro for only a short time, put it to sleep. […]

[…]

If you aren’t going to use your MacBook Pro for a couple of days or longer, it’s best to shut it down. […]"

Amazing, the stuff you find in manuals…

The correct answer is do what you think best. Shut down when you like, Sleep when you like.

The one thing I will suggest is "IF" you are finding any anomalies in the OS or programs Shut down completely, Power Off, and then a Restart, Power On.

9 times out of 10 this will clear a lot of problems.

dominic23 wrote:

The answer I posted was the answer I got from AppleCare in 2005.

I wasn't trying to start trouble, I was just genuinely interested in where the info was from, incase I was missing something. Thanks for responding 🙂.

dominic23 wrote:

I checked Apple Support Site, but I am yet to find a "must" or "must not" about sleep/shutdown.

If you search for "shut down sleep couple" and restrict to MBP, you get a slew of manuals with the sentences I quoted. (But, it's true, Apple's support site search stinks big time. They probably use Spotlight!)

The answer I posted was the answer I got from AppleCare in 2005.

It was Apple's standard advice for far longer than that. I remember it in the manual of my first Mac -- back in '91 or '92. IIRC, that was before the sleep mode, and the question was when to turn if off vs just leaving it on.

where did you get this information from?

sanjampet wrote:

Sleep is better, having worked with electronics most of my life, most failure occur on start up or shut down.

Old questions never die… and they don't even fade away.