Clamshell mode questions

[fireworksdesign]

Hi guys, usually when im at home, my air is connected to an external samsung display.

1.) Based on this article on os daily >
http://osxdaily.com/2011/09/14/disa...n-a-macbook-pro-or-air-in-mac-os-x-10-7-lion/

<<< for those who frequently use the external display mode, what is the best way? clamshell mode or use this tip to disable the internal display / decrease brightness ?

Does your air overheat when you view a lot of videos, websites and so on? Or like play games like team fortress 2 while using clamshell mode?

2.) Is it safe to leave the power adapter connected to the air and leave my air idle for a few hours or more ?

 

[krispykrunch]

It's perfectly safe to leave your air connected to the power and idle. Wether or not it's safe to use in Clamshell mode is debatable. Apple says it is, but if after an hour of use you can hardly pick your air up then I would advise against it. The screen and keyboard area are used to help dissipate heat. Don't know if the air has magnets like the MacBookPro's, if so grab a small fridge magnet and find the spot where your air screen dims and the you can have clamshell mode with your air open and cooling better.

 

[komoornik]

And for every notebook - if you're using it at home, connected to external monitor it would be nice to put it on a cooling pad and even then keep it open.

I don't know where it came from, to put it in clamshell in those stands. I know it looks stylish, but come on! ( i mean those stands: http://gadgetsin.com/uploads/2011/02/twelve_south_bookarc_vertical_stand_for_macbook_air_1.jpg )

And I also know there will be some complaints about me now - some of the users here are saying that keeping CPU at ~ 90 Celsius degrees is great. I don't think so - it really shortens the lifespan of every electronic device.

E: Oh gosh, I'm completely new to OS X - I didn't know that to turn off the screen you need to put some commands. So lame, apple

 

[fireworksdesign]

It's perfectly safe to leave your air connected to the power and idle. Wether or not it's safe to use in Clamshell mode is debatable. Apple says it is, but if after an hour of use you can hardly pick your air up then I would advise against it. The screen and keyboard area are used to help dissipate heat. Don't know if the air has magnets like the MacBookPro's, if so grab a small fridge magnet and find the spot where your air screen dims and the you can have clamshell mode with your air open and cooling better.

this sounds good, but has any1 tried this setup before ? Even if i buy the clamshell stand or something, the lid is still closed.

When you open the lid and connect to a monitor, the 2nd monitor act as the secondary display right? How can I open the lid , and maybe dim or shut down the laptop monitor and use the external one?

 

[GGJstudios]

The screen and keyboard area are used to help dissipate heat.

This is false. The venting on all Apple portables is in the rear, near the hinge. There is no venting at all through the keyboard or screen. While heat radiates in all directions, having the lid open is not required to keep the MBA within normal operating temperatures. All Apple notebooks are designed to run well in clamshell mode. If that wasn't true, Apple wouldn't give instructions on how to do so:

Apple Portables: How to use your computer in closed clamshell (display closed) mode with an external display

It's also fine to run for hours or days at a time plugged in to AC power. Apple recommends that you not run plugged in all the time, however, as the battery needs to be exercised to stay healthy. This should answer most, if not all, of your battery questions:

Apple Notebook Battery FAQ​

 

[fireworksdesign]

Thanks for the info bro.

When removing my air from the mini display port, i just unplug it,lol not sure if my monitor supports it

>>

Note: Some DVI and Mini DisplayPort displays—including Apple's aluminum-framed DVI displays and the 24-inch and 27-inch LED Cinema Displays—can be unplugged without putting the computer to sleep. If you aren't sure whether your display supports this feature, put your computer to sleep before unplugging the display.

This is false. The venting on all Apple portables is in the rear, near the hinge. There is no venting at all through the keyboard or screen. While heat radiates in all directions, having the lid open is not required to keep the MBA within normal operating temperatures. All Apple notebooks are designed to run well in clamshell mode. If that wasn't true, Apple wouldn't give instructions on how to do so:

Apple Portables: How to use your computer in closed clamshell (display closed) mode with an external display

It's also fine to run for hours or days at a time plugged in to AC power. Apple recommends that you not run plugged in all the time, however, as the battery needs to be exercised to stay healthy. This should answer most, if not all, of your battery questions:

Apple Notebook Battery FAQ​