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    Sleep mode and carting my MacBook around

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by modal, Apr 7, 2007.

  1. modal

    modal Notebook Guru

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    Sorry for the rather ignorant question...

    Since I got my MacBook a couple of months ago, I've been in the habit of completely shutting it down whenever I want to take it somewhere with me (i.e. shut it down, put it in its case, in my backpack etc.). Now, though, I'm beginning to wonder whether this is really necessary. Could I just close the lid to put it into sleep mode and then take it with me? I know that it spins down the HDD in sleep mode, so there's no worry there, but I am concerned about excess heat buildup if I put it into my case (it's a soft "scratch protection" kind of zippered case).

    Any thoughts?

    Oh, btw, whenever I pack up my machine to take it with me, I usually get to my destination and unpack it within 30 mins or so, if that's relevant.
     
    modal, Apr 7, 2007
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  2. cashmonee

    cashmonee Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

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    I transport mine while it sleeps all the time. You should be fine. There is only enough power being used to keep the RAM going. I say go for it.
     
    cashmonee, Apr 7, 2007
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  3. modal

    modal Notebook Guru

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    Good to know, thanks!
     
    modal, Apr 7, 2007
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  4. passive101

    passive101 Notebook Deity

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    I take mine in a laptop backpack I got at Office Max on my motorcycle all the time. (Probably 2x daily) I never power it off. Just close the lid and away I go :)

    The HD and screen are powered down when you close it.
     
    passive101, Apr 7, 2007
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  5. circa86

    circa86 Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

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    it is pretty unlikely for anything to happen to it while it is in sleep mode, just make sure it is in sleep mode, it it isn't going to sleep, it will get extremely extremely hot in a case like that.

    I am always in a Studio that is basically all Macs, atleast 100 students and all of them have MacBooks, MacBook Pros ect. I know a few have had some problems with there 1st Edition MacBook Pros not going into sleep mode when closed.

    and Also, if you have the time, it can never hurt to shut it down.
     
    circa86, Apr 7, 2007
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  6. Bona Fide

    Bona Fide Notebook Deity NBR Reviewer

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    Well, shutting it down can become a hassle, because you have to reboot every time you want to use it. Sleep mode can be very convenient in that regard, but like circa86 said, make sure it actually is going into sleep mode.
     
    Bona Fide, Apr 7, 2007
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  7. sp00n

    sp00n Notebook Deity

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    A good indicator to know if it's in sleep mode is to look at the front light indicator. It should be blinking slowly when it's in sleep mode.
     
    sp00n, Apr 7, 2007
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