Shut down, restart, and suspend a Mac computer These are three very simple actions to perform, but which generate some obvious doubts. Especially if you haven’t had an Apple computer for a long time, because on a Windows PC it’s slightly different.
However, these are three very simple processes to understand and in this article we will explain them to you. how they are performed, their differences and we answer two frequently asked questions in this regard in favor of extending the useful life of the Mac and that this also allows us to be as productive as possible.
Three Shutdown and Sleep Options on Mac with Different Names
Turn off
How to turn off a Mac: follow route > Turn off
This term doesn’t need much explanation, since there is no catch. When you click this option, the Mac will shut down completely, leaving all processes closed and having to restart when you turn it back on.
This term doesn’t need much explanation, since there is no catch. By clicking on this option, Mac shuts down completelythus leaving all processes closed and having to restart when turned back on.
Of course there is an option which, if activated, allows windows to be reopened when we start again. This does not mean that the computer stays on to store them, but rather that it stores them in memory in an almost absolute rest mode.
Reboot
How to restart a Mac: follow the path > Restart.
It’s the same as turning off the Mac and turning it on manually, although in this case we do not worry about having to press anything else, since the system turns off and restarts automatically. As in the previous case, there is also the possibility of reopening the same windows once turned on again.
Suspend, lock or put to sleep
How to put a Mac to sleep: follow the route > Rest | Lower the laptop lid (if it’s a MacBook)
Apple’s sleep mode has several popular names, while officially the system calls it “Sleep”. It’s basically pausing the Mac’s activity, but without completely shutting it down. Energy consumption is minimalbut enough to not have to restart all processes when turned back on.
Is it advisable to turn off the Mac with the button?
Generally no, but with nuances. We want to dispel the myth that it is dangerous to use this button because it can corrupt the system or something like that. This will not happen, although this legend has some basis, given that This is a form of abrupt shutdown equivalent to unplugging it. This involves leaving many processes halfway, which is therefore risky.
When we normally shut down the Mac, sometimes it takes a little longer to completely shut down and this is precisely because it takes several seconds to save the necessary changes and completely close the processes. If we leave the stop button pressed, we skip this intermediate step and therefore we risk losing data
Now though, There are cases where this is the only way to force a stop. If your Mac is stuck and unresponsive, sometimes this is the only solution. In the case of an iMac, Mac mini, Mac Studio or Mac Pro, this is equivalent to unplugging it.
Is it advisable to always leave your Mac on?
We start by saying that nothing happens if we turn off the Mac every day when we stop using it, although it may be better to leave it on. This is why there is no definitive answer as to whether or not it is advisable to leave it always on, since the answer It depends a lot on the type of use
If you use your Mac daily, it’s best to leave it idle. regularly. This way you don’t stop any processes and startup is faster. It’s not that you’re going to save a lot of time, but in the end, it’s something much more effective in terms of productivity.
If you are not using your Mac for a long time, it is best to turn it off. Will anything happen if you leave it alone? No, but it may take too long for your Mac to waste power. Both for its own components and for your electricity bill.
Now whatever you decide, you need to know It is advisable to possibly turn it off for at least 10 to 15 minutes. There’s no set time frame, but if my personal experience and that of other experts helps, once a week is usually ideal (it’s okay if you do it every two weeks, either).
The reason is that ultimately it can be problematic in the long run, because the processes build up and at some point they might collapse, giving rise to specific problems that can only be resolved by restarting the computer. The reason why it is completely turned off and kept like that for a while is due to the need for the components to also rest and thus extend their useful life.
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