Leaving Applications open

[i.phone4]

I leave my entry level MBP on 24/7, it sleeps when i'm not using it. Since i'm still fairly new to OS X, I don't know if I should be leaving applications open. For example, leaving iTunes open, but Command + H (Hide) it when i'm not using it. Same with Mail. I know there is a big debate on whether to shut down the computer when it's not in use, i'd like to hear what you guys do. I just want to treat the MBP well and not abuse it. Thanks

 

[simsaladimbamba]

No need to quit applications during sleep or even when you are using the Mac. But if open, but unused applications consume too much RAM (read here), it might be better to quit unused applications to free RAM and avoid paging.

 

[Hellhammer]

Sleep is completely fine. The only component that will remain powered is RAM. I would even say that today's computers and OSs are designed to be put into sleep mode instead of shutting down all the time. I never shut down my Macs unless I leave the house for several days.

I also leave all my apps open. They will use a bit RAM but they are ready to operate immediately. No harm done with this either.

 

[ender land]

The only time I close applications is if I'm running out of free RAM.

With 4gb, this does not happen very often.

 

[vincenz]

Don't worry about leaving apps open. OSX is designed like that. If you feel like your computer is starting to slow down after a while though, then start closing some. It's best to have 4 GB or 8 GB RAM these days anyway.

 

[adztaylor]

This is why I installed 8 GB RAM. I just leave all my apps open and put to sleep unless I'm away from my MBP for a few days.

 

[iMackPro]

This is why I installed 8 GB RAM. I just leave all my apps open and put to sleep unless I'm away from my MBP for a few days.

i have yet to use more than 6 gigs at once. and i have lotttttttttts of stuff open! love my 8 gigs =)

 

[aristobrat]

i'd like to hear what you guys do. I just want to treat the MBP well and not abuse it. Thanks

Seems like Apple doesn't want you to worry about it. IIRC, in Lion, the default Dock setting will be to not indicate which apps are open. (i.e. no blue dot under open apps)

There're pros and cons to leaving apps open/closing them down. Whatever you decide works for you, you won't be abusing your Mac!