Windows 7: ? about putting laptop to sleep......

I recently bought a new laptop for my wife to go back to school with. It is very nice and came with Windows 7 and I inturn got her old desktop (which now has Windows 7). The question I have is this.... What are the disadvantages/advantages of allowing it to turn the monitor off and spin down the HD? I have never allowed my desktops to do this. I have read many conflicting articles on the subject and wanted to get an opinion from you all.

The laptop stays plugged in all the time with the exception of when she goes to class. It has become her desktop. I was wondering because I would hate to screw this lappy up. The other laptop we have is an older one and I never let it sleep either, it just sits on the TV to stream netflix. Thanks

Geeve

I suppose the main advantage is battery and energy saving usage -- the latter even if the laptop is running off the mains.

i don't know but so far common problem people facing is the pc is not booting or waking up after been put to sleep which somehow related to power setting issues.

I had heard the same thing. I just wasn't sure by letting the monitor stay on with a screen saver if I was shortenong the life of it. I had also read somewhere that stopping and starting the HD it can cause premature wear. I just can't seem to find a concrete answer.

maybe use hibernate instead of sleep ?