Does the hard drive spin when laptop is asleep?

[theprizefight]

My friend was arguing that I should turn my MBP off before I take it to class or whatever because the hard drive could be damaged. I countered with the fact that the hard drive does not spin when lid is closed / the MBP is in sleep mode.

He claims that the hard drive DOES spin when the computer is asleep.

Who is correct?

 

[JNB]

In sleep mode, the HDD is parked. In addition, if you have SMS (Sudden Motion Sensor) enabled, it'll prevent HDD damage from, well, sudden motion, like a rapid lifting or tilting of the machine.

Tell your friend to quit taking cheap drugs.

 

[squeeks]

i think in sleep mode the harddrive is completly powered off

the drive will park its self when when the system is on if it hasent been used for like a minute

 

[DaLurker]

In sleep the hard drive is off. If you want to test for yourself, put your machine to sleep and the listen. It is completely silent.