Can you run a PowerBook while it's closed?

[NZDave]

Hey,

I have a powerbook, G4, 15" Al. I like to leave it running overnight, to get emails, be signed onto IM, *cough cough*download stuff *cough cough*

I was wondering if you can set it up so when you close it it doesn't go to sleep, so all of these things wouldn't just stop?

 

[James_C]

Yes, but only if an external power-supply, monitor and keyboard are connected, otherwise it will sleep.

 

[Mechcozmo]

Actually, just an external monitor, keyboard, and mouse will do. It drains your battery life pretty fast, however. I've also unplugged a USB mouse while my computer was asleep and it woke up-- while closed.

It is called "clamshell" mode I think...

 

[sjpetry]

Go here it is an active thread on MR.

https://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=103566

 

[runplaysleeprun]

There is a program called sleepless, i believe it was just updated, that allows you to change the system setting to go to sleep when the lid is closed.
A word of caution- Closing the lid can really inhibit heat dissipation, and the computer generates far more heat when running normally than when in sleep mode, so you may be causing yourself some issues with regards to overheating, or damage to the screen due to heat.

edit: link- http://www.alxsoft.com/mac/sleepless.html

 

[26139]

Clarify..

The powerbook is okay to run closed, it was designed to be able to. The iBook, however, will overheat if run closed for very long.
Can't you just completely dim the screen?

 

[Mechcozmo]

There is a program called sleepless, i believe it was just updated, that allows you to change the system setting to go to sleep when the lid is closed.

AMAZING! Apple supplies the same thing, called "The Macintosh Operating System"!!!

I think you forgot the word "...to not go to sleep..."

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

Actually, just an external monitor, keyboard, and mouse will do. It drains your battery life pretty fast, however. I've also unplugged a USB mouse while my computer was asleep and it woke up-- while closed.

It is called "clamshell" mode I think...

What do you mean by draining the battery. If the AC adapter is connected should not matter?

 

[blue_monkey]

why would the ibook overheat?

 

[jackieonasses]

why would the ibook overheat?

Because the powerbook is one large heatsink (due to the aluminum nature) The ibooks heat is mostly dissipated from the keyboard. So when you close the screen that route is blocked. One drawback to having such a bullet-proof case.

kyle

 

[Mertzen]

You can .. but why would you .. just let the screen go dark and you have the same result without the added thermal stress ..

 

[toezter]

i perfer leaving the book open (ibook).

not about over heating, but i can extend my desktop. so much nicer and cleaner. why waste that 15" of screen?

 

[Mechcozmo]

i perfer leaving the book open (ibook).

not about over heating, but i can extend my desktop. so much nicer and cleaner. why waste that 15" of screen?

Because it is only 14" of space...
Unless you were talking about a PowerBook, in which case your vague statement might be correct!

 

[jackieonasses]

Because it is only 14" of space...
Unless you were talking about a PowerBook, in which case your vague statement might be correct!

He was responding to the original poster, he wanted to close his new 15 inch screen. As of now i am running "clamshell" mode. I do it every time i play games. I have a 19" crt- and mouse and keyboard. The screen is much faster.

kyle

 

[crees!]

What do you mean by draining the battery. If the AC adapter is connected should not matter?

"Actually, just an external monitor, keyboard, and mouse will do." does not include the battery so therefore without it plugged in the battery will drain fast. Apple docs say it must be plugged in when you connect it to an external monitor as such. I've never tried it w/out the power supply (that's if you can).

 

[NZDave]

Can you have it run with nothing attached though, so I'm not using it, I just want it to not go to sleep so the programs don't stop. I turn the BT mouse and keyboard off, and don't have another monitor...yet. I just feel like closing it, but having it still run.

 

[26139]

Nope

Can you have it run with nothing attached though, so I'm not using it, I just want it to not go to sleep so the programs don't stop. I turn the BT mouse and keyboard off, and don't have another monitor...yet. I just feel like closing it, but having it still run.

Nope, have to have some a usb mouse or keyboard hooked up.

 

[jackieonasses]

Can you have it run with nothing attached though, so I'm not using it, I just want it to not go to sleep so the programs don't stop. I turn the BT mouse and keyboard off, and don't have another monitor...yet. I just feel like closing it, but having it still run.

some guy up there linked you to a sharewear...did you check it out?

 

[thrillz3]

Does the 15" come with any sort of video cable adaptor? Maybe DVI to VGA? If you plug that in, (at least on my 12" it does this) the PB thinks a second display is connected, so all you need is a keyboard and mouse. Of course, you could just lower the brightness all the way like someone else suggested.