Quick question about closing laptop/hibernating.

Does it matter how many times you simply close your laptop at the end of its use? instead of shutting down? Of course when im on the go I just close it, but I do close it when im done using it for the day, and re open it the next morning. Because theres 0 boot up time.

Is it ok to do this a lot? or is there eventually a point where you should shut down?

 

Computers were designed to run continuously actually, so I wouldn't worry about this.

As for closing the lid all the time ... well, you might want to simply set Windows to turn off your screen after a minute if you know you won't use it, but leave the thing running without closing the lid.

Closing the lid while the computer is active could cause the heat to build up more and possibly damage the screen.
I did it a few times without adverse effects, but I'm theorising that in the long run, it wouldn't be recommended to do so.

I just leave my laptops lid open if I know I have things to download online until I'm gone.
If I won't be using the thing at all, then I will simply put it to sleep (I avoid hybernation because I don't find it really that useful or necessary).

 

Just remember that after you close the screen, the laptop is still running for a minute or two while it is in the process of hibernating. Hard drive damage can occur if you move it too roughly during that stage.

 

Servers run like 24/7 and there doesn't seem to be a massive recall. Don't think there's a problem with running your computer continuously without shutting it down. I only shut down to install updates, otherwise it's either on or asleep.

 

Desktops/laptops and servers are designed with different usage patterns in mind. Typically consumer components are rated to run for 8-16hrs per day, while server components for 24 hrs. This is usually only related to how much you pay for the product and the length of the warranty, so if you leave a consumer device running 24x7, it may fail more quickly and may or may not be within the warranty period (so you get a free replacement).

This thread seems to be confused on a few things:
- Default settings for Win7 is that when you close the lid it goes to sleep, not hibernate. Sleep mode stops all moving parts very quickly and keeps all data in RAM. @namaiki is right in the case of actual hibernation, where the data is saved to disk instead of RAM, but this is not the default setting.

- @Deks seems to be talking about closing the lid but keeping the system running, and this is not what the OP is talking about, but has a good point that you shouldn't close the lid if the system is still running.

- As for the OP's question, no, there is nothing wrong with putting the computer to sleep often. It is good practice to reboot once a week or so. If you think the computer is acting strangely, like the network is not connecting right after many sleep cycles, perform a reboot as the first thing to try.

 

Depends, of course, what happens when you close the screen: Shutdown, sleep, hibernate, nothing? The first three of these are fine; keeping the laptop running with closed lid while it's packed up in a bag may lead to overheating. On the other hand, the laptop should have no issues running with the lid closed if it's just sitting on a desk.

 

That depends on the laptop. Many machines are designed to take advantage of the airflow through the keyboard to help keep them cool, so you can seriously raise the temperatures of your machine by closing the lid on the keyboard.

Is there a reason to not use sleep? Not hibernate, but sleep? It will increase the time to start back up by 5-10 seconds, but it will guarantee you that your machine isn't going to overheat or sustain any damage from being closed and running.

 

Hibernate should be fine as the PC actually turns off, but there is a period where the hard drive is writing >1GB file.
For standby, everything is pretty much off, but you have to keep the battery in as the volatile RAM is still being powered. Also, a laptop can sometimes come out of standby and then go into Hibernate if left for long enough (*if it is set to).

 

I use hibernate, fast close and startup. I have had problems in the past with forcing a shutdown. Had to do a full recovery because MS was doing something in the background, got a do not disconnect message but I was in a hurry. Never again!

 

Yes, you should never force a shutdown. The problem you ran into is exactly the reason why.

 

Hi,

mine is an HP...I usually leave it on hibernation, but once or twice on suspension. WHat is the difference. I am living in Cambodia now and electricity is so expensive. Does it consume a lot or less or more when hibernating, suspension, or shut off?
thanks

 

Hibernate and shut off consume as little power as each other. Standby consumes a little more power than the other two.

For hibernate, the computer copies everything in RAM to the hard drive and the computer is completely shut off. When you turn the computer back on, it copies back the things from the hard drive back to RAM so your programs stay open.
For standby, most things are shut off, but the RAM stays powered so it can remember what is open.
For shut down, all programs are closed and the computer is shut off, forgetting everything in RAM.