Which is better when temporarily not using Mac - 'screensaver' or 'sleep'?

Question

I manually invoke a screensaver when I won't be using my MacBook for a while (up to an hour or two) -- instead of putting it to sleep.
When I come back to use the computer again, with rare exceptions the hard drive doesn't rev up as it does when I return to use the Mac after putting it to sleep (either manually or by closing the case).
Is one of these better, in terms of wear and tear on the hard drive?
Also, does the fact that the computer's hard drive apparently does not rev up when use of the computer is resumed from the screensaver (rather than from 'sleep') mean that the hard drive has been spinning (idling) the whole time?
If so, is putting the computer to sleep preferable, since it essentially turns the hard drive 'off' rather than allowing it to spin the entire time that the computer isn't being used?
Thanks.

Answer 1

When to choose sleep rather than screen saver.
When to choose sleep over shutdown.
I usually always let my display go to sleep and then my computer
go to sleep before my screen saver is set to start. I have it set this way for
both power adapter and battery. I have my screen saver setup with a
slideshow but seldom use it. I have it setup to require a passcode when
waking from sleep or screen saver. If I want to download a large update
that would take a couple of hours I choose never for computer sleep and
a couple of minutes for display sleep in both power adapter and battery.
I only shutdown my computer when I am done for the day. If I'm getting up
to make a fresh pot of coffee or something I close the lid eventhough I have
display sleep and computer sleep set.
These are my preferences and the way I like them. You should adjust these settings
on your MacBook so that it is comfortable for you to use.
I noticed that your MacBook is about 4 years old (early or late 2006 model). Are
you asking these "When To" questions to try to prolong the life of your computer's
hardware? If so, my best answer would be:
+Backup your important folders and media at least twice+. Hardware can fail at anytime.
I have read of 2 week old MacBook Pros being sent back to Apple for hardware
replacement. If you have Kernel Panics, questionmark, a blue or black screen; system
preferences set to what someone thinks will provide hardware longevity won't be as
useful as a good backup. I should have started this with an "in my humble opinion".
Limnos has already said that some will argue both ways on the wear and tear savings
in an earlier reply.
Set your preferences to where they are most comfortable for you and enjoy using your
computer.
Kind Regards,
A