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Reducing the Power Your Computer Uses

Instructions by operating system
Windows XP
Windows Vista
Macintosh OSX

Placing your computer in a low-power mode when not in use dramatically reduces the amount of energy your computer uses.

General information about low-power modes

Sleep or Standby: The state of your computer is saved in random access memory (RAM) and the computer enters a low-power mode.
Pros: Takes less time for your computer to return to an active state
Cons: In the event of a power outage, you may lose work in any unsaved documents

Hibernate: The state of your computer is saved to disk and the computer enters a low-power mode.
Pros: Because it writes your computer's "state" to disk, it is able to recover from a power outage.
Cons: Takes longer than sleep/standby to enter and exit low-power mode. Hibernate is not a default option on many systems, and may require administrative privileges to enable it.

The following screenshots illustrate entering Standby and Sleep modes. If Hibernation is enabled, it will also be a option on the menus.

Windows XP - entering standby mode

• Click the Start button, then "Shut Down"
  


• From the drop down menu, click "Standby"
  


• To make your computer active again, press your computer’s power button

Windows Vista - entering sleep mode

• Click the Start menu, then the arrow next to the lock button
  


• From the menu, click "Sleep"
  


• To make your computer active again, move your mouse or press any key

Macintosh OSX - entering sleep mode

• From the Apple menu, click “Sleep”
  


• To make your computer active again, move your mouse or press any key