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Is it okay to leave iMac on for many days? (energy saver mode)

E

e5volcano

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jul 10, 2010
106
1
Hi, I am new to macs (just bought a new 27 inch base model), and I never owned a iMac before.

Previously, my windows desktop would run for about 7 days straight until Tuesday when it would download updates and then I'd reboot it and continue this cycle.

I was wondering if its good for the iMac to leave it on continuously for days, running on default energy saver settings (15 mins, then HDD and comp goes to sleep).

Or have there been reported problems of iMac's overheating or other problems?
Thanks
 
My Macs runs for weeks, including sleep, before a restart is necessary, due to an update or maybe some hiccup.


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Mac OS X Basics
Switch 101 - guide with articles made by Apple on how to accustom yourself, after you switched to Mac OS X from Windows​

Mac 101 - How to get started with Mac OS X​

Find out how - tutorial videos made by Apple on how to do certain thing in Mac OS X​

Pro tips - tips made available by Apple for easier ways of doing certain tasks​

Mac OS X Keyboard Shortcuts - Learn about common Mac OS X keyboard shortcuts.​

Mac OS X Beginner's Guide by MacRumors - learn about software, media players, shortcuts and some useful tips, tricks and hints​

Mac Guides - tutorials, product guides and more​

MRoogle - a very effective tool to search these fora using Google and made available by edesignuk, introductory threads: 1, 2 and 3​

 
I leave my MBP and iMac on for weeks on end. Been doing this for years.

P.S. Usually custom power settings...
 
I leave my wife's iMac turned on 24/7. For it, I also have it connected to APC Backup UPS 1300VA LCD device and have its USB control cable also connected. If "house power" goes out (like last Thursday night), my wife's iMac remains up for 5 minutes (hoping power would have come back on by then). If still no power, it does an automatic shut down. Thus, ensuring it does a "proper" shut down.

If you plan to keep your iMac (or even a Windows based system) on 24/7, do ensure its connected to Backup UPS device, and its "control cable" is properly configured.

Turning a computer "suddently off" (via Power Cut method) is very bad on a computer. If NO backup UPS device, I would turn the computer off at night - when most electrical outages hit a home (mostly due to electrical storms in one's area).

Good luck....
 
Yes, I do have a APC backup device and my iMac is and my windows pc was connected it.
 
.. I have been using Apple for years and they used to advise leaving the computer on as they said it would stabilize .. Unless of course you have a problem or need to update or if you go out of town .. I do not understand why you do not just call Apple and ask them ??
 
iread said:
.. I have been using Apple for years and they used to advise leaving the computer on as they said it would stabilize .. Unless of course you have a problem or need to update or if you go out of town .. I do not understand why you do not just call Apple and ask them ??
Click to expand...

Honestly, if this question isn't what forums like this were made for, I'm not sure what is.
To the OP like everyone else has said it's fine to leave you iMac on, it is what I do.
 
I got a 2009 iMac (was it November?).. I work from home, so I use it actively for 8-10 hours a day, and often on my spare time during the evenings / weekends as well.

I also need to access the computer remotely quite often. This might be to watch a movie I have stored on it over the local network, access it from my phone / laptop to check some information, or do some work with Screen Sharing when working at another location.

Since I need to access it remotely almost daily I never turn it off. I have enabled the settings to turn off the drives and screen after a while, but otherwise it's always on. I've used it like this since the day I got it (about 9 months now), and it's working just as good as when it was new. The only time I restart it it's because of some system updates. I don't think you have anything to worry about.. But if you're worried, just press the power button once to put it to sleep to save some power / wear :)
 
Stingray454 said:
I got a 2009 iMac (was it November?).. I work from home, so I use it actively for 8-10 hours a day, and often on my spare time during the evenings / weekends as well.

I also need to access the computer remotely quite often. This might be to watch a movie I have stored on it over the local network, access it from my phone / laptop to check some information, or do some work with Screen Sharing when working at another location.

Since I need to access it remotely almost daily I never turn it off. I have enabled the settings to turn off the drives and screen after a while, but otherwise it's always on. I've used it like this since the day I got it (about 9 months now), and it's working just as good as when it was new. The only time I restart it it's because of some system updates. I don't think you have anything to worry about.. But if you're worried, just press the power button once to put it to sleep to save some power / wear :)
Click to expand...


i thought if the computer is in sleep mode(hard drives are off) that you could not access your computer remotely (to watch movies etc..) i tried this with my xbox and connect360 and it would not allow me to access my Imac. i have it set so the hard drive does not sleep to allow me to access it.. is there a setting im unaware of??
 
I put all my macs to sleep when I'm not using them. The only time I power them down is when I'm not going home for several days. I've been doing this for years without any problems. Oh yes, I do reboot once every few days or so.
 
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