Does sleep mode extend battery life?

Microsoft gives you a choice at shut down. You can shut down or you can use sleep mode or hiebernate mode. PCs and notebooks do not provide instant “on.” Windows 7 seems to start faster the Windows XP. Using the sleep mode will allow your system to spring back to life more quickly. In the sleep mode it is still running. It is drawing a small amount of power. Less power than if it were running, but more than being shut down or in hiebernate mode.

If you are running on battery at the coffee shop or an airport away from an electrical outlet, using sleep mode will allow you to return to work quickly without rapidly discharging your battery. If you will not be working with the system for an extended time, and want to start back at the point you were working, hiebernate is a better choice. Today laptops have larger hard drives. The file for hiebernating saves your work and takes additional space on the hard drive. Unless you are running out of space, it should not be a problem.

Some people have been told to leave there PCs running. Of course this is easier on a desktop than a notebook. One theory was the in rush of current at start up could damage the electronics. Years of testing this shows this is not the case. Those of us that travel with a notebook know that it is far easier to shut down than try to leave one running.

If you want to get back to work more quickly, try the sleep mode. If you are will be away from the computer for an extended time, give hiebernate a try.