Safe to keep iMac awake 24/7?

[MakX]

Is it safe to keep my iMac (i7, 27") awake all the time? I will of course sleep the displays when I'm not at the machine.

The main reason is needing the computer to download files overnight in my ISPs 'free off peak' period.

 

[Matthew Yohe]

Is it safe to keep my iMac (i7, 27") awake all the time? I will of course sleep the displays when I'm not at the machine.

The main reason is needing the computer to download files overnight in my ISPs 'free off peak' period.

Yes. But if you want, you can still have it go to sleep and it will sleep after it has finished downloads.

 

[nOw2]

No problem at all. I have a 2009 iMac i7 and it's been switched on for pretty much 13 months now.

 

[John T]

In actual fact, electronic items, such as computers, amplifiers etc can suffer less "ware and tear" if left on 24/7 and "sleeping" when not in use. This is because when the item is switched on there is a large initial surge of energy through the PSU etc which can ultimately reduce the life of components within the equipment.

 

[rkaufmann87]

Is it safe to keep my iMac (i7, 27") awake all the time? I will of course sleep the displays when I'm not at the machine.

The main reason is needing the computer to download files overnight in my ISPs 'free off peak' period.

Not to be a wise buy but if you had bothered to read your manual the answer is right there! If you can't find it you can download a copy from Apple's web site.

 

[MakX]

Not to be a wise buy but if you had bothered to read your manual the answer is right there! If you can't find it you can download a copy from Apple's web site.

Getting real life answers and experiences > what the manual says.

 

[Johnf1285]

For me personally, I try and leave my iMac running. Its typically doing something and when its not, I personally prefer to keep it running and in a static state. I'm not a fan of sleeping the computer multiple times and causing the disk to turn on and off repeatedly. If I know I will not use it for a couple days I'll sleep it.

I also keep my disk spinning all the time and my monitor sleeps after 15minutes, or I'll sleep it manually with a hot corner if I know I'll be away for a few hours or sleeping.

I try and keep the on and off cycles of everything on my computers at a minimum. Thats my 3 cents.

 

[bdeitemeyer]

I think that whatever your preferred methods are, the iMac will be fine. Keep it on, put it to sleep, shut it on/off...it's a well-made machine and hopefully you have AppleCare if anything does go wrong.

 

[MakX]

In New Zealand the Consumers Gaurantee Act essentially covers whatever extended warranties do. AppleCare is obscenely priced, especially when it's already covered by insurance.