Bought a brand new Mac Mini today

[Bacong]

(Don't worry, I'm not new to mac)

I'm loving my brand new Mac! The first time I actually bought a new computer for myself.

Anyway, quick question. I know that there are scripts ran by OS X every once in awhile that keep the system running well...what I'm asking is how often I should shut this machine down.

AFAIK desktop computers are made to be on nearly 24/7, but with how small the mini is I'm not sure if that translates.

Any response is appreciated!

 

[brad.c]

Right before a lightning storm or expected power outage. My mini has been powered on for three years, and I've only selected Shut Down… three times.

 

[flopticalcube]

You can sleep it overnight to have the scripts run when it reawakens or just leave it on 24/7. It uses something like 14w when idling so less than 3 nightlights.

 

[arjen92]

Right before a lightning storm or expected power outage. My mini has been powered on for three years, and I've only selected Shut Down… three times.

"and it crashed 1092 times..."

 

[georgegarrigues]

You can sleep it overnight to have the scripts run when it reawakens or just leave it on 24/7. It uses something like 14w when idling so less than 3 nightlights.

Thanks for this information, but where did you get the figure about the night lights? It's my understanding that computers really drain a lot of juice and I'd hate to have another dam put up on a nice river to pay for the electricity.

Sincerely, your friend, George

 

[Wheaty]

Yes the mini does draw very little on stand by. just a couple of Watts, so Less than most night lights which tend to be 3-5W.

Typical consumprion when running is 13-20W depending on the task.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/698463/

I did a basic power usage test on my Mini when I got it last year out of curiosity..

Just to point out though, yes 2W is bobbins... but If you have a 100 appliances around your home consuming 2W 24/7 then it all adds up. And your not taking into account any losses through the cabling in your house etc etc...

I'll stop now before I start sounding like a really nuts environmentalist..

I'm just a Sparky really.

Wheaty

PS Personally I switch mine off when I'm not using it for long periods, ie over night /at work. Other wise its on in standby, you can set it for an automatic wake up time in sys prefs, if you need it on by....

 

[brad.c]

"and it crashed 1092 times..."

Maybe yours, but not mine. Not once.