How often do you reboot?

[srbNYC]

Now and then, I've heard that rebooting is good for keeping Macs running smoothly, or maybe it's apocryphal. I tend to do it every day or so, but not sure why. At this point, it's sort of a compulsion. What do we actually know about if it's good, bad, or indifferent for a Mac?

 

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

Only when needed.

Either because of a systems update. Or because something seems to be acting up.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Only when needed.

Edited to add: Less wear and tear to leave it running.

 

[Madhatter32]

I do it about once a week actually. Sometimes I forget and just let if go for a few weeks. Doesn't ever make a difference either way.

 

[nothingtoseehere]

Now and then, I've heard that rebooting is good for keeping Macs running smoothly, or maybe it's apocryphal. I tend to do it every day or so, but not sure why. At this point, it's sort of a compulsion. What do we actually know about if it's good, bad, or indifferent for a Mac?

Ages ago under Windows, you made a shutdown every time. Later on, with Windows, you could close the lid on the laptop but after some time, you got the feeling that it was necessary to restart because the machine began to behave strangely. This is, in my experience, still the case with Windows, albeit less a nuisance than in former times.
Macs feel different (I can tell from 2015 on). Closing the lid/going to sleep and awake again usually does not hamper the system, at least not in most cases (YMMV).
But sometimes even the Macs feel strange. And as we know from the eternal wisdom of IT admins, the best first try is a restart, solves 90% of all problems
Therefore, and because with every macOS update one gets inevitably a restart, I cast my vote for "only if necessary".

 

[Allyance]

As an IT Admin/Reseller, I used a cold boot to solve most problems (Pull the power cord for a couple of minutes), with laptops I would yank the battery. Not possible on some new laptops, batteries not accessible. Restarts didn't do much. Most computers motherboard and network adapters are always hot. If I have occasional problem with my Imac, I pull the plug.

 

[svanstrom]

My MBP16 is at 15 days; my RPI4 is at 51 days; and my regular Debian server is at 458 days.

Pretty much what's expected, I guess.

 

[Phil77354]

I reboot at least once per day. Usually I shut down entirely at the end of the day, rather than simply sleep my iMac, which has SSD storage.

My reasoning is that it avoids cycling the external drives that are connected, for time machine backup at least. They would otherwise go into sleep mode but I think (I could be wrong about this) that the time machine backups will continue even when the machine is idle and sleeping. That is unnecessary.

It also keeps the computer offline for those hours when I'm not using it or needing it to be online for any reason, meaning that it is not connected to the internet and therefore nothing is going to be happening from a security standpoint.

Shutting the computer down also lets it cool to ambient room temperature vs continue to generate heat, even if at a low level. Fan will be off thus stopping circulation of air through the computer which brings dust with it and adds to the accumulation of dust internally.

Some downside to this as implied with my points above, but on balance and for my own particular situation at least, I am comfortable with this practice.

 

[srbNYC]

Interesting...

 

[ArPe]

Macs. Updates or when I accidentally run out of juice and it reboots on its own.

My PC file server/video editing/gaming box. Only updates or when it crashes (a few times a year).

 

[jdb8167]

Right now a lot more often than usual. Several times a week. The issues related to Big Sur and the M1 specifically are causing me to have to reboot. Sometimes it is purely troubleshooting and wasn't strictly necessary and other times, the system became unresponsive or some other weirdness. I expect this to go back to normal over the next few months.

 

[bobcomer]

Only when needed, and that's rare. Usually updates.. (Both my Mac, x86 Mac. and Windows machines.)

 

[redcaptrickster]

Only when needed, but given the fact that I had an application that was acting up, that was almost daily until I fixed it.

 

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

 

[LFC2020]

No need to reboot, when I'm not using the M1 beast, I shut it down.

 

[ProfessionalFan]

Only when needed, sometimes things start to seem sluggish or wifi randomly stops working so I reboot. It is about once a week on average.

 

[tonyr6]

When I get a sudden battery drain I reboot to clear it up.

 

[Zazoh]

Shutting the computer down also lets it cool to ambient room temperature vs continue to generate heat, even if at a low level. Fan will be off thus stopping circulation of air through the computer which brings dust with it and adds to the accumulation of dust internally.

Some would say this adds the most shock to a system where repeated heat ups and cool downs mean expansion and contraction. But also my M1 Air has no fan and stays @ room temp.

I typically reboot when there is a software install that requires it. I shutdown when the computer won’t be used for a week or so.

 

[Clausewitz]

Shutdown when going away for more than 24hrs.

 

[Captain Trips]

I reboot at least once per day. Usually I shut down entirely at the end of the day, rather than simply sleep my iMac, which has SSD storage.

This is my pattern. When I am done with the computer (M1 MBP or Intel Mac mini), I power it down. Typically at the end of the day. A lot of this is habit (going back to early versions of Windows, as others have mentioned in this conversation) and some of it is to not use more electricity that I need.

Once I get an Apple Silicon Mac to replace the Intel Mac mini, I may leave the AS desktop powered on for longer periods of time.

 

[Coheebuzz]

I shut it down every night and will reboot only if something freezes.

On related note, for some weird UX-relevant reason i've always felt more uneasy rebooting using the power button instead of the removed keyboard shortcut even if they are likely the same function.

 

[satcomer]

When I get a sudden battery drain I reboot to clear it up.

I feel the problem is MANY apps are NOT M1 capabilities code in them! They seem not to reconcile their apps in the new X-Code and cleaning up small glitches in the older source code! They relied on Intel Macs/Windows programs ckaiming you can dodge oSX apps for Intel ONLY! IHHO to many programs are Universal instead! What is excuse three months on at this point!

 

[Zazoh]

Now that M1 is using SoC like the iPhone and iPad, how often do you reboot and shutdown those?

The antiquated processes, by admission, that some are using, are not needed and even likely do more harm than good.

One of the features of the M1 is instant on. Open the lid and go. Craig F featured it in the Apple launch video. For us to move quicker into the future we need to stay current with the tech.

It reminds me of folks who think they can drive faster and more economical with a manual transmission. Transmissions and computer controlled ignition systems have come a long way since the 60s. Then forgot combustion cars. Look at the performance of a Tesla.

I watched the Jetsons as a kid and I’m pissed off you guys are preventing me from having a flying car and a robot in my house!

Turn in your floppies and external drives. Let’s get moving ...?

 

[Apple_Robert]

The energy use from the M1 is very, very small. There is really no reason not to leave it running. If I am away from the house and note that bad weather is coming or has arrived unexpectedly, I remote in to my M1 and Mac mini and turn off the machines, even though I have a APC backup. I also have Little Snitch 5 running and I can also check security when I am away, if I feel a need.

Other benefits of keeping the M1 on and the screen open is that I don't have to worry about fingerprint smudge from opening and closing the lid every day. I also don't have to worry about keyboard marks on the screen.

 

[srbNYC]

Some would say this adds the most shock to a system...

I never considered that restarting/rebooting would cause stress.