Sleep Mode vs Hibernate Mode

Sleep Mode

Sleep mode on your computer (laptop/Netbook/Desktop) is a power-saving state that is similar to pausing a music CD. All actions/processes on the computer are stopped and any open documents and programs are put in memory (RAM). You can quickly resume normal, full-power operation within a few seconds by hitting the ESC keyboard key for most computers.

Sleep mode is basically the same thing as “Standby” mode and is useful if you just want to stop working for a short period of time. 

The computer does not use MUCH power in Sleep mode.

NB: Leaving your computer in Sleep Mode for an extended period of time WILL result in your battery going dead.

Hibernate Mode

The Hibernate mode saves ALL your open documents and running programs to your hard disk (unlike Sleep Mode) and then shuts down the computer, this means once your computer is in Hibernate mode, it uses NO power. 

Once the computer is powered back on (using the Power Button), it will resume everything where you had left off.

Hibernate mode is perfect for instances where you won’t be using the computer for an extended period of time, and you don’t want to close your stuff.

NB:  Hibernate Mode is more practical for Laptop and Netbooks than for Desktop computers.