How can I connect the MacBook to an external screen and close the MacBook?

[BigNoNo]

Hey guys, need your help please.
I got the MacBook Air 2020 Intel and I connected it to an external monitor, Now i'm trying to close the MacBook and work only on the external monitor. But when i'm closing the macbook the screen immediately turns off unless the macbook connected to the charger. Any way to keep the macbook on when an external screen is connected and the MacBook is closed, without the charger?

Thank you!!

 

[usagora]

Just out of curiosity, why would you want to do that? I'm assuming most people aren't carrying external displays with them when traveling with a MBA unless they're going to have a semi-permanent setup, in which case it shouldn't be a big deal to connect to power, and your display is going going to need power anyway unless you're using some custom battery-based adapter solution.

Officially, however, the answer is no:

Connect a display to your Mac - Apple Support

Mac computers support one or more external displays, depending on the Mac model. Here's how to connect an external display.

support.apple.com

You might want to google "use mac in clamshell mode without power" to see if there are any workarounds.

 

[MPclk2006]

Hey guys, need your help please.
I got the MacBook Air 2020 Intel and I connected it to an external monitor, Now i'm trying to close the MacBook and work only on the external monitor. But when i'm closing the macbook the screen immediately turns off unless the macbook connected to the charger. Any way to keep the macbook on when an external screen is connected and the MacBook is closed, without the charger?

Thank you!!

No you have to keep it plugged in whether you keep MacBook open or closed.

 

[BigNoNo]

Just out of curiosity, why would you want to do that? I'm assuming most people aren't carrying external displays with them when traveling with a MBA unless they're going to have a semi-permanent setup, in which case it shouldn't be a big deal to connect to power, and your display is going going to need power anyway unless you're using some custom battery-based adapter solution.

Officially, however, the answer is no:

Connect a display to your Mac - Apple Support

Mac computers support one or more external displays, depending on the Mac model. Here's how to connect an external display.

support.apple.com

View attachment 2107938

You might want to google "use mac in clamshell mode without power" to see if there are any workarounds.

Thank you for the answer!
I'm do not plan to travel with the MPA and the external display. My plan is to take my MBA with me to the college, and when i'm get home, plug the MBA to the external display and study. But, I don't want that my MBA will be connected to the power a lot of hours at day.

From your answer, I understand that I can't connect my MBA to a external display without connecting my MBA to a power, It's correct?

 

[usagora]

From your answer, I understand that I can't connect my MBA to a external display without connecting my MBA to a power, It's correct?

Correct, and don't worry about keeping the MBA connected to power. It won't hurt it.

 

[BENCHPRESS]

I think you might be able to with Amphetamine. It would eat your battery up if you output to external monitor without power plugged in anyway. I suggest investing in a monitor that charges your laptop while outputting to display so you can do it all with a single cable.

This is also achievable with a TB4 docking station if you don't want to invest in a new monitor.

 

[BigNoNo]

Correct, and don't worry about keeping the MBA connected to power. It won't hurt it.

Oh thank you man! This is was my concern.

I think you might be able to with Amphetamine. It would eat your battery up if you output to external monitor without power plugged in anyway. I suggest investing in a monitor that charges your laptop while outputting to display so you can do it all with a single cable.

This is also achievable with a TB4 docking station if you don't want to invest in a new monitor.

Can you recommend me a monitor that charges the MBA? thanks!

 

[snakes-]

Use search.... In one of my old post you find my descrption how to close lid

 

[Novius89]

Go to terminal and paste this command

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

Enter your password.

Should stay on without charger now.

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

This is the command for turning it off.





Before i had plex i took the macbook to the bedroom to watch stuff.
Really useful because taking the charger from behind my desk was a pain in the butt.