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Shut down vs restart

An age old question maybe, but I think it would best be answered by the experts on  communities.


Does Shutting down the Mac and turning it on, any different from "restarting" the Mac ?


Also, for the next 2 weeks or so I may not be using my Mac more than twice. Now is it better to let it sleep and use it whenever I would be next, or is it better that I shut it down and turn it on whenever I have to during the next fortnight or so. I will be having the charger with me, so if at all I fall short of battery, charging won't bee issue.


MacBook Pro 13 inch 2018, Big Sur 11.1

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 11.1

Posted on Jan 31, 2021 6:27 AM

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Posted on Jan 31, 2021 6:54 AM

I really have no idea if there is a difference. I rarely do either. I doubt that there is a difference.

The idea that there is a difference probably comes from Windows. I vaguely remember some sort of "hard" vs "soft" restart. But, that could have been some made up stuff for Windows, too.


In your case, I would shut it down for the two weeks. No need to have it sitting in a bag heating up.

Also, if it is encrypted, if it gets stolen, it is much better being shut down than asleep.

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jan 31, 2021 6:54 AM in response to Karangambhir

I really have no idea if there is a difference. I rarely do either. I doubt that there is a difference.

The idea that there is a difference probably comes from Windows. I vaguely remember some sort of "hard" vs "soft" restart. But, that could have been some made up stuff for Windows, too.


In your case, I would shut it down for the two weeks. No need to have it sitting in a bag heating up.

Also, if it is encrypted, if it gets stolen, it is much better being shut down than asleep.

Shut down vs restart

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