I don't have an expert answer to this, I just wanted to let you know that I started to let my macs just run 24/7 a few years ago, when I was still using my 2008 mac pro as my main machine. My thinking then was; I don't think it will wear out sooner - that the process of shutting down and turning on once a day would be at least as wearing. I just let my displays go to sleep.
I've gone thru several intel and M1 minis since then and I still do it. I think it's a good thing not to start with blank RAM as you do with a restart - for performance. Of course, if the new minis were not stone cold and silent like they are, I might think differently about it.
Right, Ben J., I am inclined to see things your way. Off the top of my head, I see no inherent hardware or software reason why a mini that’s gone to sleep is worse off than one that’s shut down. Barring freak accidents like massive electric surges - presumably circuit breakers on my extensions would take care of that - or some kind of nefarious hacking, it’s pretty steady state; as you point out, minis run quite cool, and in a climate controlled environment not subject to direct sunlight, there should be no external stress that can build up in the system (dust builds up regardless of on/off).
Anyhow, just for peace of mind I sprung for AC+ on both my MBA and MM, so if things go south in that timeframe, I’m not going to fret. Beyond that is too far to look forward, not to mention another year or two coverage beyond AC+ from the CC I used to purchase these.
In the worst case it’s an experiment, and to me worth not having the hassle of “turn off, turn on”. YMMV.
