Clamshell Mode

[sfwalter]

Anyone try either the Air or MBP in clamshell mode? How does it work compared to the Intel version? In the past clamshell mode worked most of the time but it had its set of issues including waking from sleep issues.

Thanks.

 

[jdb8167]

So far so good. It seems to take a few seconds to wake from a bluetooth keyboard but it's been working. This is with a M1 MacBook Air.

 

[Zazoh]

I ran in clamshell all day. Woke up 4-5 times from sleep with wireless Magic Keyboard.

M1 Base MBA.

 

[jambon]

I ran in clamshell all day. Woke up 4-5 times from sleep with wireless Magic Keyboard.

M1 Base MBA.

Great to hear. Did you do anything intensive or video calling? My intel MBP used to get very loud in clamshell mode when on Teams or Zoom calls, which is why I've gone for a MacMini but am curious whether MBA would keep sufficient cool with the lid closed.

 

[Zazoh]

Great to hear. Did you do anything intensive or video calling? My intel MBP used to get very loud in clamshell mode when on Teams or Zoom calls, which is why I've gone for a MacMini but am curious whether MBA would keep sufficient cool with the lid closed.

Horizon VM Ware so I could sign in to windows at work. Zoom calls using Video. All worked flawlessly. Memory pressure flat graph around 2GB.

 

[acousticbiker]

I use my current Intel i5 8GB MBA in clamshell mode in a stand (landscape orientation, opening across the top, Apple logo upright) and will be getting an M1 MBA soon. Given the vent holes are at the bottom in this position and heat rises, I wonder how effective the M1 MBA will be in dissipating heat without a fan in this position.

 

[Zazoh]

I use my current Intel i5 8GB MBA in clamshell mode in a stand (landscape orientation, opening across the top, Apple logo upright) and will be getting an M1 MBA soon. Given the vent holes are at the bottom in this position and heat rises, I wonder how effective the M1 MBA will be in dissipating heat without a fan in this position.

My M1 Air, I do exact opposite, Thick part on top away from desk and holder.

 

[acousticbiker]

My M1 Air, I do exact opposite, Thick part on top away from desk and holder.

Ideally I would do it that way too but my stand is designed to have it stand the way I described, the placement of the USB C port works better with my monitor that way, and, yes, it's nice to have the Apple logo upright

 

[FasterQuieter]

My monitor randomly turns off when I am in clamshell mode. I once went a day without it happening, but it usually happens a few minutes in. Gave up on it now, and have to work with the laptop screen open. Really frustrating, as I can't find any other examples online. Never had any issues with my 12" Macbook and the same setup.

 

[Zazoh]

My monitor randomly turns off when I am in clamshell mode. I once went a day without it happening, but it usually happens a few minutes in. Gave up on it now, and have to work with the laptop screen open. Really frustrating, as I can't find any other examples online. Never had any issues with my 12" Macbook and the same setup.

Do you have more than one user account on the machine? Many with multiple accounts have had the other account go to sleep and turn on the screen saver, not sure if connected?

 

[FasterQuieter]

Do you have more than one user account on the machine? Many with multiple accounts have had the other account go to sleep and turn on the screen saver, not sure if connected?

I do, though that account is logged out. Thanks for the info though!

 

[snakes-]

Clamshell mode with power cable works fine for me, waking from sleep no problem (tested with HDMI over 4 days).
Clamshell in battery mode crashes my system (external monitor dark, no wired lan)

 

[jdb8167]

Clamshell mode with power cable works fine for me, waking from sleep no problem (tested with HDMI over 4 days).
Clamshell in battery mode crashes my system (external monitor dark, no wired lan)

Not sure how you got clamshell to work without a power cable. MacOS isn't supposed to do that. Shouldn't crash though. It should just go to sleep.

 

[snakes-]

Please read before. asking questions and steal peoples time.
I told here that is not working. This means pull the power plug in clamshell mode and the mac is crashing. I dont want use apps like amphetamine. one more for the ignor list

 

[wacomme]

Clamshell works well for me.

 

[snakes-]

OK here is the fix to let run clamshell in battery mode on silicon macs.

Warning use at your own risk. Save data before use terminal commands...
Remember this disable the option to shut down the MacBook while closing the lid.

thanks to some 3 year old solution found here https://apple.stackexchange.com/que...stop-macbook-from-sleeping-when-lid-is-closed

you can use following terminal commands.


Disable Sleeping when the lid is closed running on battery

sudo pmset -b sleep 0; sudo pmset -b disablesleep 1

Re-enable sleeping when the lid is closed running on battery

sudo pmset -b sleep 5; sudo pmset -b disablesleep 0

now you can run clamshell in battery mode on Macbooks without data loss when the power cord is removed or some power loss from your energy provider. The perfect 24/7 system.