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Benz63amg

macrumors 601
Original poster
Oct 17, 2010
4,377
912
Does the setting “Put hard disks to sleep in MacOS Sonoma have any effect on a MacBook Pro with an internal SSD? I currently have it set off but was wondering if it makes any difference regardless
 

q3anon

macrumors regular
May 8, 2020
110
26
Does the setting “Put hard disks to sleep in MacOS Sonoma have any effect on a MacBook Pro with an internal SSD? I currently have it set off but was wondering if it makes any difference regardless
You can turn it ON with no problem.
 
Last edited:

maxoakland

macrumors 6502a
Oct 6, 2021
915
1,292
I think it would only matter if you have external hard disks connected. I don’t think SSDs go to sleep like HDs do
 

DeltaMac

macrumors G5
Jul 30, 2003
13,756
4,580
Delaware
No discernible difference without a mechanical reponse on an SSD.
The setting is intended for a mechanical device.
 

q3anon

macrumors regular
May 8, 2020
110
26
I can turn it on but 1. Should I? 2. Does it make any difference on an m2 MacBook Pro with ssd?
Sleep mode is not bad for SSDs. The data is stored in RAM rather than on the SSD when you put the computer into sleep mode. Therefore, when you wake up your computer, it will continue from where it left off very quickly. Excessive write cycles are the only thing that affects SSDs.
 

Benz63amg

macrumors 601
Original poster
Oct 17, 2010
4,377
912
Sleep mode is not bad for SSDs. The data is stored in RAM rather than on the SSD when you put the computer into sleep mode. Therefore, when you wake up your computer, it will continue from where it left off very quickly. Excessive write cycles are the only thing that affects SSDs.
If thats the case then should i enable "Put hard disks to sleep when possible" on my M2 Macbook Pro with 256gb SDD running MacOS Sonoma? i keep getting conflating responses where some say that setting doesn't make any difference on a mac with an SSD. Now, i do have some external WD harddrives (Mechanical) that i connect to the mac sometimes when i want to move some files over to back up etc but i connect them for a very brief amount of time.
 

q3anon

macrumors regular
May 8, 2020
110
26
If thats the case then should i enable "Put hard disks to sleep when possible" on my M2 Macbook Pro with 256gb SDD running MacOS Sonoma? i keep getting conflating responses where some say that setting doesn't make any difference on a mac with an SSD. Now, i do have some external WD harddrives (Mechanical) that i connect to the mac sometimes when i want to move some files over to back up etc but i connect them for a very brief amount of time.
I already answered to you. If you want to put the SSD in sleep mode the main advantages are:
- Faster resume
- It’s much more energy-efficient
- It’s more reliable
- Can prevent overheating

However, I recommend to disconnect external hard drives when you put your Mac in sleep mode.
 

Benz63amg

macrumors 601
Original poster
Oct 17, 2010
4,377
912
I already answered to you. If you want to put the SSD in sleep mode the main advantages are:
- Faster resume
- It’s much more energy-efficient
- It’s more reliable
- Can prevent overheating

However, I recommend to disconnect external hard drives when you put your Mac in sleep mode.
Ill turn it on then. Can you please remind me where that setting is located in Sonoma. i could have sworn i saw it under Battery > Options but i dont see it there.
 

q3anon

macrumors regular
May 8, 2020
110
26
Ill turn it on then. Can you please remind me where that setting is located in Sonoma. i could have sworn i saw it under Battery > Options but i dont see it there.
Turn off “Prevent automatic sleeping on power adapter when display is off”.
 

Benz63amg

macrumors 601
Original poster
Oct 17, 2010
4,377
912
Turn off “Prevent automatic sleeping on power adapter when display is off”.
Thank you. i have that turned off. i thought there was another setting that was explicitly named "Put hard disks to sleep when possible" but if there isn't then i guess i'm all set. thanks again for the help
 
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q3anon

macrumors regular
May 8, 2020
110
26
I actually selected that to Never as i never use the macbook on a battery, its always connected to power on my desk.
Not good idea. Despite macOS optimize battery usage, is always good idea to let battery discharge to at least 20% once in a while.
 
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