External screen for macbook question

You'll need an external mouse and keyboard for clamshell mode.

Else you can wake with an Apple Remote too. Not that you'll be able to do much with the computer.

Here's an article about it in case you have other questions: Apple Portables: How to use your computer in closed clamshell (display closed) mode with an external display -GDF

Eidorian said:

You'll need an external mouse and keyboard for clamshell mode.

Else you can wake with an Apple Remote too. Not that you'll be able to do much with the computer.

Click to expand...

Actually, using an Apple Remote will not work--it will wake the computer, but the computer will realize it's closed and without an external keyboard or mouse, and so it will go to sleep. Not that it matters, since, as you said, you wouldn't be able to do much anyway. 😀 (Except control Front Row, which I suppose would actually be useful even if you didn't have an external keyboard/mouse...)

Anyway, as others have stated, the best solution is to get an external keyboard and/or mouse--either USB or Bluetooth (you'll have to enable waking from Bluetooth in System Preferences in this case) will work.

Just for reference, and in case people missed it,

You need external power for clamshell mode. Otherwise it will go to sleep.