Ok, I have two questions about laptops?

Question

1) I use my computer every day. It is better when I'm done for the day to have it sleep, hibernate, or shut down, and why?

2) Is it better to use it until the battery needs charging, then do so, or just keep it plugged in?

Thanks! I just want to maximize my laptop life and would like to know what will help ensure this.

Answer 1

1) Sleep mode or power off. Sleep mode uses very little power, saves the LCD monitor and the system can quickly come back up, unlike starting from a power off state. Power off allows the system to dissipate heat, and some laptop motherboards do get pretty hot after hours of usage.

Hibernate is the worst mode- attempting to store the complete system state to the hard disk and then restore it, just doesn't work properly far too often.

2) It's most practical to leave it plugged in- however if you disconnect from AC power and allow it run down to the point where the battery needs charging (about once every few days), you'll keep the battery well-conditioned. Never allowing the battery to discharge eventually reduces your battery's capacity.

Finally, if there are electrical or thunderstorms in your area you should always shut the computer off, and unplug it.

Answer 2

For question 1:
Stand by is an option that shuts down your screen and audio, and stops running programs. It still uses up your battery. Don't use it very much. It's pretty useless. Hibernate is pretty much the same as stand by, with the exception that it uses less energy. However, it still uses you hard disk a little, so if you are done for the day, just use shut down.

For question 2:
If you use your battery too much, its life will be significantly reduced. Take out your battery, then plug in your laptop. Your battery life will thank you.
Note: Battery life will not actually say thank you.

Answer 3

I would suggest that you shut it down completly and let the components cool down. Also there is a security risk if you allow it to still be powered on if it has access to wifi connection. Hackers love wifi!

When you first get anything with a rechargeable battery you first charge it completely and then use it till dead. This ensures that the battery cells are constantly being refreshed with a new charge. So suggestion if the batter gets to let say 15% or less charged then recharge. Otherwise if using the computer in a place were you can plug it up use the AC cord.

Answer 4

If it were me, I'd shut it down when you're done with it for the day. Computers are designed to stay on all the time if you want them too, but I always hold to the theory that it's better to give them a rest every so often.

Hope this helps. :)