Sleep mode, Shutdown, and Hibernate are options that we can choose to use when our computers are not in use. The best method/s to use really depends on our objectives. Do we need instant access? Are we “Green Conscious” and trying to save energy? Are we trying to maximize the life our our computer? Armed with a clear objective and a knowledge of how each of the three features works, we can make a decision that will enable us to meet our goals. So let’s dig in and find out what Sleep, Hibernate, and Shutdown are all about.

Sleep mode: A special power-saving setting that resembles a coma. Sleep mode, also known as Stand By or Suspend, saves energy but doesn’t quite turn the computer off completely. The monitor, hard drive, and various other components may be shut down, but the Operating System (Windows MAC Linux) saves our current activity in ram memory so that it can continue right where you left off when the computer resumes (comes out of sleep mode). Power consumption my be reduced as much as 90% whilst in sleep mode and your monitor and hard drive may last a little longer because of less-use. Since the computer isn’t completely off, the computer resumes quickly, and will put you right back in the program that you were working in before it entered Sleep mode. There is a downside to Sleep mode; if your computer loses power whilst in Sleep mode, you will loose unsaved documents and there is a slight risk that you could corrupt your program.

Shutdown: Shutdown is very simple. Programs are closed, data is either saved or discarded, the computer ceases to functions, and no power is used during Shutdown.

Hibernate: Hibernate shuts down your computer completely. However, a “Snap Shot” of what you were doing at the time of shut down is retained, that is, saved to your hard drive. When the computer comes back on, it starts programs and opens data/documents, so that you can continue working right where you left off. Unlike Sleep mode, no power is used when the computer hibernates. This is good from an energy point of view. However, the start-up time is much longer than Sleep mode and Shutdown.

What we do: We usually do not Shutdown our computers. Computer seldom break down because of use. The power savings is is minimal, and this allows us to automatically run updates, virus scans, and backups at night rather then fight or compete with them during the day. Since memory is only made to remain stable for about 24 hours, we restart our computers each morning to refresh memory and delete cache.

Sleep mode and Hibernate have an interesting feature that can be used to great advantage. They both have the ability to “Wake Up” when called upon to do so by program like AntiVirus and Microsoft Update. So what we do is set the computer to go into Sleep mode after 15-30 minutes of inactivity, then Hibernate after 1 hour of inactivity. In that way, we get the best of both worlds. We save some energy during the day when the computer is not in use, and we can access our data quickly when it comes out of sleep mode. At night we save energy but still received automatic computer updates and Virus Scans.

Why not just leave the computer on all the time? Fact is, Safe Mode, Hibernate, and Ram Memory don’t always work as designed. Power blips and Ram imperfections may cause data loss or file corruption. So if we plan to be away from our computers more than a few minutes, we should save our data and exit our programs, especially at night when we go home for the evening.

Bottom line: It is best to use all three modes, Sleep, Shutdown, and Hibernation, in combination for efficient computer operation and energy savings. But always remember to restart your computer in the morning to insure a trouble-free day.