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Safe to keep Mac Mini running 24/7?

M

MacNoobGuy

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Apr 18, 2012
497
0
hey guys, i just wanted to know if it's safe keep a mid 2011 Mac Mini running 24/7. i use it as my main workstation machine during the day and during the night it works as a streaming movie player.

because the Mac Mini doesn't have as much ventilation space as a regular desktop, i just wanted to know if this kind of constant 24/7 use would harm the Mac Mini for the long term and reduce its life expectancy?

thanks!
 
Mines been running 24/7 since I bought it from my local Apple store in Jan 2010. It's on a shelf with plenty of cooling space around the perimeter, so as to allow free airflow. Other than that, I've not taken any other precautions.
 
Provided....

you have correct ventilation and stable electric power, I can say you can go as you wish....



:):apple:
 
but isn't it a good idea to put the mac mini to sleep during the night so it has a rest at least?

thanks!
 
I have a 2011 2.0 quad that has been running for about two years and a 2013 2.6 quad that been running since march 2013. Both have also seen regular 'active service' with both being pushed days at a time doing video coding.

I run both of them in a newer tech alloy side stand to give them max potential for cool air.

Sure if it is not running at night you can put it to sleep. But mine process pretty much 24/7 so they never sleep.
 
Mine's been running pretty much constantly since I got it about April 2009. I run it from a properly earthed UPS with AVR (auto voltage regulation).... The only times it has been off are when I have been away for a few days, and when I upgraded the RAM. The handbook suggests it should only be turned off when it will not be used for several days. At other times I just put it to sleep.

Using an older UPS without AVR and not earthed played havoc with my previous 2005 model, and led to the demise of the power supply, I reckon. The line voltage here in Phuket can vary enormously, and power cuts are frequent.

When I first moved into my apartment, which is at the end of a power line, often there was insufficient power to kick the fluorescent lights into action! Thankfully the supply has been upgraded since then!!
 
MacNoobGuy said:
but isn't it a good idea to put the mac mini to sleep during the night so it has a rest at least?
Click to expand...
Do you turn your refrigerator off at night so it can rest? What about your other appliances? Don't they need rest, too?

Where do these 'ideas' come from? :rolleyes:
 
I run mine (same year as yours) in much the same was as you do, and it's on 24/7. My only surprise so far was that when I opened it a few months ago to install an ssd, there was a lot of dust inside the case. I would suggest opening the bottom door once a year and cleaning out what dust you can get at.
 
I have a mini and an iMac that are on 24/7. The iMac has been on since 2008, and the mini since 2011. I turn them off when I go on vacation or during a severe storm (and unplug from the wall).

As long as there is space around the device they will be fine.
 
MacNoobGuy said:
but isn't it a good idea to put the mac mini to sleep during the night so it has a rest at least?

thanks!
Click to expand...

Not necessary. It won't hurt by putting it to sleep, but unless you were giving it a break from constant max CPU usage it's not really helping either.
 
12vElectronics said:
Another related question. To those who have theirs running for years, have you noticed higher a higher utility bill?
Click to expand...

Mac minis utilize laptop components and therefore have very low power consumption compared to regular desktops. There are online power calculators but I think it takes $20-30 per year if you run your mini non-stop. Not significant for most users, and much lower if your computer goes to sleep/idles a lot.
 
jomobco said:
Get a copy of 8/13 MACWORLD . It's got a great article on Eight Mac Energy Myths. A good read.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the suggestion. Will look for it!

COrocket said:
Mac minis utilize laptop components and therefore have very low power consumption compared to regular desktops. There are online power calculators but I think it takes $20-30 per year if you run your mini non-stop. Not significant for most users, and much lower if your computer goes to sleep/idles a lot.
Click to expand...

That's not bad at all. My desktop is a regular PC and I've never had it running 24/7. Might go that route when I pick up the Mac Mini.
 
They're very power efficient little beasts and as good as silent too. I live in a studio flat and I can hear the hum of a fanless external drive over my Mac Mini simply because it resonates the desk it's on. You'll be fine.
 
My 2011 had been on for almost a month before I restarted it today. I usually have music playing when I'm not watching movies/streams. I had no problems with it.

My 2007 mini, however, needs to be restarted (usually forcefully) about every week, and I am only using it as a router and occasional file server. I can usually tell when it's ailing when my private room network can't access the Internet.
 
12vElectronics said:
Another related question. To those who have theirs running for years, have you noticed higher a higher utility bill?
Click to expand...

Not at all. The wattage on a Mac mini idling is minimal. 5-7 watts on my 2.6ghz. From memory this is similar o a clock radio.
 
Definitely provided it's not sitting on a dirt floor or other overly dusty/dirty environment.

Keep in mind that these are often positioned as small servers, which are of course designed to be run 24 hours a day year round.
 
MacNoobGuy said:
hey guys, i just wanted to know if it's safe keep a mid 2011 Mac Mini running 24/7. i use it as my main workstation machine during the day and during the night it works as a streaming movie player.

because the Mac Mini doesn't have as much ventilation space as a regular desktop, i just wanted to know if this kind of constant 24/7 use would harm the Mac Mini for the long term and reduce its life expectancy?

thanks!
Click to expand...

You're all good. No worries.
 
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