Anyone here keep their iMacs on all the time? I have a few Windows applications which I need to be running all the time and currently I am running them off the Amazon server which costs me about USD 400 per year. I am thinking of running them on my IMac instead to save on the server cost. Or should I avoid that?
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Keeping iMac on all the time
- Thread starter Falcon80
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I've had my mid-2011 iMac on 24/7 since I bought it, up until I had the dreaded graphics card failure at the beginning of this month. After baking the card in my oven and reviving it I'm now starting to ramp back up to keeping it on all the times again.
Are your Windows apps processor intensive?
Are your Windows apps processor intensive?
Not exactly at the moment but load might go up in future. On the Mac, I would need to use Parallels to run them.
I've had my iMac on for about 3 1/2 years now. And it rarely sleeps, not only does it transcode video for up to 12 hours a day I have it set to wake for network activity since I use it as an iTunes server.
MacOS or Windows I wouldn't hesitate to keep an iMac on 24/7 even if its in constant use. I actually feel like I'm getting my moneys worth using the hell out of something.
MacOS or Windows I wouldn't hesitate to keep an iMac on 24/7 even if its in constant use. I actually feel like I'm getting my moneys worth using the hell out of something.
If that's the case I really wouldn't worry about it. Just get get a good UPS that will turn off the computer in the event of an extended power outage and will restart the computer when power is restored.
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Thanks for the assurance. If this works out well, the yearly saving in server cost will be really good for me.
That's cool. I have a Mac mini server that I use with an EyeTV dongle that I use as a DVR.
I have a 2011 Mac Mini and a 2011 iMac that have both been running almost continuously since 2011.
I use an old app called Jiggler to prevent my iMac sleeping whenever nominated apps (like EyeTV) are running. This may be handy for your needs.
As others have said, the monitor and power are the only real issues. Make sure the computer is configured to turn the monitor off after a modest period of non-use and get a good UPS.
At work, I have a Mac Mini that serves as a print server and has been running 24/7/365 for around 7 years.
At work, I have a Mac Mini that serves as a print server and has been running 24/7/365 for around 7 years.
Yep, in the oven.
I guess it reflows the solder in the socket and may make it usable again. Some people have had success and some don't. My iMac is now working like a champ two months after the fix! I try not to push the graphics and use this machine for my low-res stuff as this fix is reported to be temporary.
We'll see...
I currently have a late 2012 iMac that has been running 24/7 since I got it. I have it set to turn the screen off after 15 minutes of inactivity but it is not set to sleep or turn the HDD off ever. Of course it gets rebooted when necessary but then it's back up and running until the next reboot.
I plan on doing the same when the new iMac arrives as well.
I plan on doing the same when the new iMac arrives as well.
Just curious. The reason you are keeping it on all the time is because you wish to do a remote access when you are away from the desk or some other reasons?
Some other reason.
Have a read of this link. Whilst leaving the computer on, it is a good idea to reboot once every week or two for the reasons stated in the link from MacWorld.
http://www.macworld.co.uk/how-to/mac/should-i-log-out-my-mac-or-just-shut-down-3623615/
Have a read of this link. Whilst leaving the computer on, it is a good idea to reboot once every week or two for the reasons stated in the link from MacWorld.
http://www.macworld.co.uk/how-to/mac/should-i-log-out-my-mac-or-just-shut-down-3623615/
Honestly, no particular reason at all other than the pure fact of not wanting to wait for it to start up when I want to use it. Some days I'm on it off and on all throughout the day but other times I may actually go a few days before using it. It's just something I've done with all my computers (Windows or Mac) for many, many, years now.
No offense and it is only your business. But this is a forum, so sharing opinions is very common here.
I think this is not environmentally friendly , plus you could save money by turning it off (for example when you leave your home or wherever your iMac is placed), plus your hardware is gonna to wear off a lot faster. A modern iMac with SSD should boot up quite fast, so youre gonna save let's say half a minute?
No offense taken but to say that I'm not being environmentally friendly because I leave a single iMac turned on all the time is a bit silly. If you want to talk about not being environmentally friendly, perhaps you should focus your energy on the data centers for companies that don't utilize renewable energy to power them.
Yes, what you said about the companies is the sad truth, but every one of us could do the "little bit" of saving the enviroment by turning off our computer between working sessions. Every one of us has this kind of laziness in his everyday life, but this laziness is avoidable. And pointing out others mistakes isn't making anything better.
Additionally this was only one of my three points.
That simply had to be said, I'm not constraining anything.
As I said, it's your business.
I'm done about this topic. Maybe not the right place here to discuss this that precisely.
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