General Laptop Energy Saving Question

Hello, everyone.
What is the general procedure regarding leaving a laptop on or off? I have a desk top, and pretty much leave it on, as the constant powering on and off wears the disk drives more. I simply sleep the display only. Does this same methodology apply to laptops?
Also, if one is away for a week or so, is it advisable to simply shut the laptop down and NOT leave the power adapter plug in? Just shut it down completeley? or should it be left on "standby" mode and "on" the entire time one is away?
Thank you very much for the responses and help in advance,
Javier Calderon

Also, if one is away for a week or so, is it advisable to simply shut the laptop down and NOT leave the power adapter plug in? Just shut it down completeley? or should it be left on "standby" mode and "on" the entire time one is away?
I would just shut it down if you weren't going to use it for a week.

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