External Monitor Question

[atthecross]

Is there a way to run an external monitor with the lid closed on the macbook?

 

[robbieduncan]

Yes. Attach a USB keyboard or mouse and hit a key, or mouse button to wake up the laptop. It will only be using the external screen.

 

[EricNau]

Yes, it's known as clamshell mode. Are you having problems, or is this just a curiosity question?

 

[atthecross]

didn't try hitting a key, just noticed that when I closed the lid it turned off the monitor. Will have to try it when I get back to work

 

[atthecross]

opps, and THANKS for the quick reply

 

[Sounds Good]

Yes. Attach a USB keyboard or mouse and hit a key, or mouse button to wake up the laptop. It will only be using the external screen.

Does it damage the MBP to use it with the lid closed for extended periods of time?

 

[aaron.lee2006]

Nope it's perfectly safe. I used to do it all the time.

 

[Sounds Good]

Nope it's perfectly safe. I used to do it all the time.

Thanks. I was concerned about heat (or whatever).

 

[jnc]

Does it damage the MBP to use it with the lid closed for extended periods of time?

If it did, I doubt they'd list it as a feature, do you?

"Hey guys... try this out... but not too much, you could like, mess stuff up". lol

 

[Sounds Good]

If it did, I doubt they'd list it as a feature, do you?

Ahhhhh.... never takes more than two posts on a Mac board to get a sarcastic reply to an innocent question.

 

[jnc]

Ahhhhh.... never takes more than two posts on a Mac board to get a sarcastic reply to an innocent question.

That's some thin skin you got there. It was rhetorical rather than sarcastic

 

[sr5878]

on this topic, is there any way to use the osx brightness controls on my keyboard on my external (non ACD) display?

 

[jnc]

on this topic, is there any way to use the osx brightness controls on my keyboard on my external (non ACD) display?

The brightness settings are managed by the monitor rather than through the Mac, there's no connection between the keyboard and an external display

 

[sr5878]

oh... i thought the brightness controls were through OSX.

 

[ClassicMac247]

I do this too, "Close lid, wake from sleep." its a nice easy method, always wondered if it had any after effects, guess not, thanks for bringin this up!

 

[jnc]

oh... i thought the brightness controls were through OSX.

Only on the Mac itself. On an external display, there's simply no way for the Mac to "tell" the display how bright to be, that's why Cinema Displays need their own brightness adjustment buttons, and external displays have their own built-in menus