The Best Power Saving Mode for Your Computer: Sleep vs Hibernate

It is not feasible to turn off your computer after using it. Most of us close the lid of our laptops, or we fall asleep while completing a task at night. Because of inactivity, the computer will go into sleep mode. The advantage of going to sleep mode is that less power is consumed, and you can quickly start your computer once you want to begin working again.

However, most people are confused about sleep mode, and they also often confuse it with the hibernate mode, which is a different thing altogether. Some are often confused about which one to use more often and the drawbacks of each of them.

Sleep Mode

If you have seen suspend on Linux, that is its sleep mode. You can activate the sleep mode on your computer by going to the power tab on the bottom left side of your screen. A more straightforward process is just to shut the lid of your laptop. However, with the battery still plugged in. The sleep mode is where your computer goes into a lower energy-consuming state. The power to the computer parts is stopped except that to the RAM, which constitutes the display, hard drive, and ports. Apart from that, any other peripheral devices will most likely get disconnected.

Because the laptop is still using the RAM, it still gets power. The RAM stores all your documents, application data, other settings, and other files. So, this is why when you activate your computer after sleep mode, you can pick up from where you left off almost immediately. However, you must realize that if there is a power cut while your computer is in sleep mode and connected to power, you will lose all your data. This is because the RAM has highly volatile flash memory. So if you have any important files make sure you save your work before putting it on sleep mode.

Hibernate Mode

In Windows and Linux computers, the “hibernate” mode is available. At the same time, it is not an option in OS X. the hibernate mode is similar to the sleep mode except for one difference: the power is cut to the other parts of the computer and the RAM. This gives an advantage to the user; in case of a power outage that can occur due to a thunderstorm, the information and data stored in the computer are safe in the hard drive as it is written there. However, to protect your devices, make sure you have lightning protection plans for your home. 

If you want to activate the computer back from hibernation mode, you can use the power button to do that. As soon as you open the laptop, all your files will be sent back to the RAM, so you can easily continue working from where you left off. The same applications, files, and other data will be easily accessible.

If you compare it with sleep mode, both perform the same function. However, hibernate mode has one drawback: it takes time to restore the process, and it takes approximately 30 seconds to get back where you left off and continue working from.

While you may not find the “hibernate” like a user option, it is there. The term used in Mac is “Safe sleep.” This mode is activated automatically when the computer detects a low battery or leaves it idle for a while.

If you have a solid-state drive system, the term “hibernate” is replaced with “standby mode.” This mode is usually activated when your computer has gone into sleep mode for over three hours. In many cases, if your computer has sufficient battery, it can remain in standby mode for 30 days without the need to be powered.

What Mode to Use?

So, this is the most frequently asked question since the differences between the two modes are very subtle. Sleep mode is suitable when it comes to convenience and ease, and you can quickly get back to work from where you left off, while the “hibernate” mode is comparatively slow to catch on with work.

Final Thoughts

When using either of the modes, you may get occasional bugs and glitches. These can be addressed by always keeping your computer up to date, eventually getting fixed. If you want a more extended period of break from working on your computer, then the “hibernate” mode may be the right choice for you. You quickly activate your computer without any battery drainage in a few seconds. Sleep is a good option if it is used in conjunction with other lower power modes for a longer time.