Sleep vs Shutdown vs Hibernation

So I would like a list of the pros and cons of each way of "turning off" my Vista Laptop (Thought that is a definately important factor).

So I been always using shutdown as I found it was good to save power and keep the memory fresh each time at the cost of a little more time to start up.

So what would be the pros and cons of the 3 (Generally speaking)

Welcome
With credit to Notebook Review

Hibernate takes a snapshot of everything you got on RAM (including any windows and apps running) and saves it to a special hard disk file and then shuts the computer down, when you resume from hibernation the computer boots a bit faster than a normal power up bootup. This method does not consume any power while the computer is off.

Uses: When you are not going to use the computer for a few hours or more.


Sleep, basically shuts your computer down except some components like RAM, so the next time you resume, it will boot almost in an instant. However, this method consumes battery power.

Uses: When you are just leaving the computer for a few minutes or hours, like at lunchtime or something like that.
End of quote from NoteBook Review

That being said, boot the computer at least once a week, to correct corruption etc.

What happens if I Hibernate at the User Select Screen and then Log In into the appropriate user. Would that clear up the RAM a bit like it does when I normally just log in and out or would it roll over.

Hibernation, would have no effect on the action. Performing an action after hibernation has the same effect as perfomring the action without hibernation.

Hi Rich.. Its me again... I am too interesteb in this thread because I use my laptop alot, I dont take it off the power because it is stationed like a desktop... With my Acer, I was wondering what the best method of downtime(sleep hyb/shutdown to use) I dont care about the battery consumption so much....

Looking at my options and there is no hybernation so sleep is the answer, I set it to sleep.....Snooze gets more sleep than me lol..

Just set it for sleep, if you are going to use it again soon. When done for the night turn it off.
Hiberantion, is really not necessary for you. Its used to save what you are working on before it hibernates.

I normally (On My desktop) Turn on in the morning and then Put in Sleep if I am going for lunch etc or Place in Hibernation if I am Going to school or Leaving the House

I always Shutdown at night

Josh

Try this it restarts your computer then puts it to sleep.

DONE: Faster boots combining hibernate and restart (Boot Snooze) - DonationCoder.com