Laptop energy saving: hibernate, sleep, or shut down?

Here are expert tips on how to keep your computer running smoothly: It is never fun to have to consistently wait any amount of time if the shut downs are too frequent. Sleep’ requires more power, but it boots up faster, while ‘Hibernate’ uses less power, but takes longer to come online, that same logic applies to shutting off your computer completely.

Your computer will become obsolete before you wear out your computer by turning it on and off a lot. It also doesn't take more energy to start a computer than to keep it running.

Sleep mode requires a constant, though reduced use of power (0-6 watts). Colorful screensavers do nothing to conserve energy. Accessing your computer remotely with the Wake on LAN feature also can drain the power.

To get the most for your money, expert advises adjusting power settings so that it automatically goes into Sleep/Standby mode after about 15 minutes of inactivity, and then shut it down at the end of your day.