sleep mode method

I was at the apple store a couple of days ago because a friend of mine had a problem with his ibook.. the harddisk needed to be replaced and the tech guy at the store said it was better to go into the apple menu and choose sleep rather than simply closing the lid and having the computer go into sleep. I am wondering what difference would it make ??? I remember him telling me why but i can't remember to be honest . Any notions...

thanks

I'd be amazed if there is any difference at all.

One difference would be Timed Sleep function stops any user processes, such as downloading a large file or playing music, etc.

I don't see why there would be a difference. Sleep mode is sleep mode, it's not going to leave user processes running because the lid was shut as opposed to the menu command being selected, surely?

The only problem I can think of is a laptop that has some problem with the reed switch or PMU and doesn't go to sleep. You might not notice right away, it would eat the battery, maybe overheat. If you chose Sleep from the menu bar you would know. But the above posters are right, sleep is sleep. If the laptop is working correctly, there is no difference.