Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

do you use your MBP closed ?

M

macchiato2009

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Aug 14, 2009
1,258
1
just bought a screen and i was wondering if the MBP would overheat if i use it closed

apple says it can be used closed but i would prefer some user testimonials

thx
 
I see many setups in the setup thread and people are using their MB and MPB with the lid closed.

I think that the heat that comes from the keyboard can harm the screen but if apple says that it's ok, and many people are using it in this way, it should be totally OK.

There many of them that have a cool stand that holds the laptop in vertical position.

But still I have a doubt, how can you turn on the laptop while being closed?
 
macchiato2009 said:
no overheat or have you noticed that fans were running faster than normal ?
Click to expand...
I've been using my MBP closed now for a little while and it does run a tad warmer but I just increase the speed of the fans a bit to compensate.
 
I use Radtech to cover my keyboards and in the clamshell mode at times. No issues with the heat even with Radtech.
 
After I close the lid to enter clamshell mode and turn on the external display I just open the lid of the laptop to help it keep cool. I have noticed when the lid is closed the screen gets pretty warm. I think I will keep doing that just to avoid any heat related issues with my laptop.
 
I have been running my laptop closed for a year now with no issues whatsoever. One trick I learned is to put the laptop up on something that keeps the bottom off the desk an inch or so. That keeps it much cooler without opening it up or playing with the fans.
 
I use mine closed about 50% of the time. It gets rather hot, but I think that would be solved with some type of stand. Other than that its perfect.
 
keep it open. it reduces heat and you also get a better wireless signal because the antenna is oriented correctly
 
Yeah just keep it open if it's just sitting there. You won't cause harm in leaving it closed but when it's open more heat escapes through the keyboard and the laptop runs cooler without stressing on your fans as much.
 
I usually also leave the laptop open in order to prevent excesive heat.

But it's really awful have to close/wake/open in order to power down the MB display.

Why apple doesn't include a function to shutdown the display???
 
I use insomniaX when I hook my MBP up to my tv. It gets hot but it never overheated.
 
I use the clamshell feature on my MacBook Air while running SETI@home overnight and never had a problem, don't think you will
 
milton.sheaf said:
They do. RTFM.
Click to expand...

I swear you I really did. And the only I found is to power on the MB and close it quickly waiting the log in screen, or with OS X booted close the lid and wake the laptop using USB external device.

What is the FM telling about shutting down the display?
 
You can turn off ALL displays with ctrl+shift+eject, but you cannot turn off any one screen with a command. Unfortunately... I would have loved if you could.
 
I have used several of my Mac portables closed for years now. I want a laptop for the 2-3 times a year I travel, but that was not enough to justify buying one, so I have the best of both worlds. Hooked up a 20" Dell display and use a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse. Never a problem here.
 
There is a cooling solution

robj said:
I see many setups in the setup thread and people are using their MB and MPB with the lid closed.

I think that the heat that comes from the keyboard can harm the screen but if apple says that it's ok, and many people are using it in this way, it should be totally OK.

There many of them that have a cool stand that holds the laptop in vertical position.

But still I have a doubt, how can you turn on the laptop while being closed?
Click to expand...

The stand that robj is referring to is the Twelve South BookArc, and it works with pretty much any Apple laptop. I bought one a few months ago and love it. Never had any heating issues. You can buy them at Best buy. Here is the link to their site:
http://www.twelvesouth.com/
 
Eruanno said:
You can turn off ALL displays with ctrl+shift+eject, but you cannot turn off any one screen with a command. Unfortunately... I would have loved if you could.
Click to expand...

That's what I stated, but as you say, this isn't very useful as you want ONLY to turn off the laptop display. But maybe milton.sheaf knows something we don't ;)

SantorinS4 said:
The stand that robj is referring to is the Twelve South BookArc, and it works with pretty much any Apple laptop. I bought one a few months ago and love it. Never had any heating issues. You can buy them at Best buy. Here is the link to their site:
http://www.twelvesouth.com/
Click to expand...

That's it, browsing their web site I found the stand:

http://www.twelvesouth.com/products/bookarc/
 
I have been using my Santa Rosa MBP for over two years now almost entirely in clamshell mode. I keep it on a stand connected to a 24" lcd and bt keyboard & magic mouse. Never runs hotter than when used open.
 
Clamshell is fine, use all the time when in conjuction with my ACD.

BUT I leave it open when I'm playing games in Boot Camp. In the past, even using smcfancontrol to set fans at max prior to launching Boot Camp, I've had it shutdown a couple of times in clamshell mode during more intensive 3D games. MEGA hot, quite worrying at the time. This never happens with screen open.
 
the one thing that I noticed that hasn't been referenced is the issue of dust.

I've owned my late 08 MBP since November of 08 and the majority of that time its been open on my desk. When I look down at the speaker grill/vent holes it appears to have collected enough dust that its noticeable now. I'll probably look at purchasing a small keyboard vacuum cleaner to try to suck that dust out.

Just one thing to keep in mind when leaving the lid open.
 
maflynn said:
the one thing that I noticed that hasn't been referenced is the issue of dust.

I've owned my late 08 MBP since November of 08 and the majority of that time its been open on my desk. When I look down at the speaker grill/vent holes it appears to have collected enough dust that its noticeable now. I'll probably look at purchasing a small keyboard vacuum cleaner to try to suck that dust out.

Just one thing to keep in mind when leaving the lid open.
Click to expand...

true, but dust is a sign of air actually moving. would you rather have your mbp closed with the air vents blocked and building up heat in that thin enclosure?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back