I'm used to moving a MacBook laptop with an easily-detachable Magnet "magsafe" outlet without turning the laptop off.
Can I do the same with my iMac desktop computer?
I almost did this but then thought it was safer to shut the desktop off first, before unplugging the sucker.
iMac, iOS 11.0.1, 27"
Your MacBook will just switch from mains to battery power when you unplug it... it won't shut down until you tell it to (or the battery runs out!)
The iMac will instantly lose power (no battery) and if it was in the middle of writing important data to the disc, it could cause issues when you come to power back on.
Your MacBook will just switch from mains to battery power when you unplug it... it won't shut down until you tell it to (or the battery runs out!)
The iMac will instantly lose power (no battery) and if it was in the middle of writing important data to the disc, it could cause issues when you come to power back on.
I would not advise unplugging an iMac from its AC connection in order to shut it down. At the least I would expect that would increase the odds you'll suffer file corruption possibly to the point where you can't even launch macOS and recover any data.
Just use the recommended process (Apple Logo in upper left corner of Finder>Shutdown) so the operating system can execute a controlled, orderly shutdown of all apps and processes safely.
You should always shutdown before unplugging a desktop Mac.
unplug iMac
