M1 Max clamshell hybrid

[DennisdeWit]

Hi,

So I have an M1 Max with 32GB RAM and 32 GPU Cores. You can imagine, I am super happy this MacBook.

I am considering using in in clamshell mode and also as a normal laptop. So what I want: working in clamshell on daytime for work and using it as a regular MacBook after work.

However, I have some questions:

1) Would that way of using it be bad for the battery?
2) If you plug in USB-C and HDMI regularly, wouldn’t that loosen the ports a lot?

Perhaps I could put a HyperDrive between them to avoid loosening the ports. What do you guys think?

 

[chabig]

No and no. It’s designed for that sort of thing.

 

[project_2501]

I've been using my MBP 2015 for years in clamshell.

After all these years the ports are starting to look less than perfect - but they still work. I have always taken care not to be rough with my investment.

My battery started expanding (the case too) after about 5 years - and Apple charged £200 to fix it. Not bad, and better value than AppleCare for me.

With the M1 laptops, I am hoping to use a thunderbolt dock so that the only thing I plug in is a single cable that carries power and video. If that one port gets damaged, there are others on the laptop too!

 

[Ray2]

It will work for you as long as you “exercise” the battery. I've run in closed clamshell mode for decades. When the laptops were used almost exclusively as desktops my batteries would swell. Twice under warranty, twice Apple told me to use the battery occasionally to prevent the swelling. Given your expressed use, I'd suggest not plugging it into power after work.

Laptops are not designed to work as desktops.

 

[matthewadams]

If you predominantly use it in clamshell, use something like AlDente (https://apphousekitchen.com) to limit the charge to 50% or so. I was also using a 2018 MBP mostly in Clamshell and just like the other posters here, the battery started expanding from being at 100% all the time.

I can usually plan ahead when I need 100% battery and will let it charge up prior to that.

 

[Christopher Kim]

So prior to getting my new 14", I was using a 2016 13" MBP about 50/50 as a "laptop" and in closed-clamshell mode. For 18mos during the pandemic, I was working from home fully, and my MBP was doing 99% closed-clamshell. My setup is Thunderbolt 3 cable into a TB3 dock, with an Apple Magic Keyboard / Trackpad, and my monitor & peripherals are all connected to the dock.

Battery:
- So pre-2016 re-design, anecdotally feels like Apple used different batteries that had no issues being plugged in all-the-time. Lot of examples of ppl with 2011-2015 MBPs that plugged in all the time and had no battery expansion / degradation issues
- Since 2016 re-design, many more anecdotes that those ppl who kept plugged in 100% would have pre-mature battery issues, expanding, degradation of battery health that was quite different than typical relationship with number of cycles (eg. low cycle count would still have battery health already in the low-80s%)

Given that, what I did once going 99% closed-clamshell is every time I was done my workday, I would put my MBP to sleep and then unplug my TB3 cable (so not plugged in). Then when I started up again in the morning, I'd plug the TB3 cable back in. Whenever I needed the computer during weeknights (eg. on sofa or in bed), or over the weekend, I would generally use on battery "as a laptop", not connected to dock.

Whether this does anything to keep battery longevity or not, I was happy to do it, as it was very minimal effort on my part, and seemed to make sense that it could potentially be beneficial. I've had no battery issues while doing it this way (not claiming that's proof of course, but just FYI).

I think it remains to be seen whether the batteries in the new 16" and 14" M1 Pro/Max laptops also have potential issues when plugged in most of the time, or not. As @Ray2 mentioned, laptops are designed to be used on battery, not plugged in 100% of the time. But given any such issues wouldn't really become apparent for a couple years, I'm going to keep up my routine regardless. Like I said, very small effort on my part given my workflow, so even if it doesn't help / make a difference at all, I'm ok with it. And it very well could help!

 

[Christopher Kim]

Oh and last point on port-wear. It's true that plugging/unplugging a Thunderbolt cable every day will have more wear on the physical port than if plugged in all the time. For what it's worth, I did try to be intentional about plugging in/out the cable as "straight" as possible so not to scratch the inner-sides of the port. I recently gave my 2016 13" MBP to a family member (it was the 4 Thunderbolt port version) and while there was a bit more wear on the 1 port I always plugged my laptop into, it was quite minor. And you had to look closely to see some scratches.

I think if you're even somewhat careful and intentional about plugging/unplugging the Thunderbolt cables at your dock/station, it shouldn't be a big deal at all.

 

[MBAir2010]

what is clamshell?
is that when the macbook (or dell ups) is closed but still works via a monitor-track pad and BT keyboard?
on my MacBook Air (that is older than most members here) once the lid is closed, its sleeping- even when playing music.

thanks in advance!

 

[OVERTASK]

Hi,

So I have an M1 Max with 32GB RAM and 32 GPU Cores. You can imagine, I am super happy this MacBook.

I am considering using in in clamshell mode and also as a normal laptop. So what I want: working in clamshell on daytime for work and using it as a regular MacBook after work.

However, I have some questions:

1) Would that way of using it be bad for the battery?
2) If you plug in USB-C and HDMI regularly, wouldn’t that loosen the ports a lot?

Perhaps I could put a HyperDrive between them to avoid loosening the ports. What do you guys think?

Battery should be fine now that Apple has optimised charging on by default. Re ports, they will get looser, I'd personally go for TB3/4 dock more to have a single cable IO solution rather than concern over port longevity (Both HDMI & USB-C rated for 10K insertion cycles).

 

[bsamcash]

what is clamshell?
is that when the macbook (or dell ups) is closed but still works via a monitor-track pad and BT keyboard?
on my MacBook Air (that is older than most members here) once the lid is closed, its sleeping- even when playing music.

thanks in advance!

You think most members here are younger than your MacBook Air which, at the very oldest, could be 13? But looking at your name I’m guessing it’s 11.

 

[julesme]

If you predominantly use it in clamshell, use something like AlDente (https://apphousekitchen.com) to limit the charge to 50% or so. I was also using a 2018 MBP mostly in Clamshell and just like the other posters here, the battery started expanding from being at 100% all the time.

I can usually plan ahead when I need 100% battery and will let it charge up prior to that.

Is this "expanding from being at 100%" still a problem given that Mac OS now includes optimized battery charging? Mine won't charge past 80% unless I specifically make the selection.

For example, my 13" has been plugged in all day today, connected to an external monitor, and it's sitting at 77% battery.

 

[matthewadams]

Is this "expanding from being at 100%" still a problem given that Mac OS now includes optimized battery charging? Mine won't charge past 80% unless I specifically make the selection.

For example, my 13" has been plugged in all day today, connected to an external monitor, and it's sitting at 77% battery.

I suppose it depends. For me it never really worked, eventually it ended up charging to 100% and stayed there forever.
If it works for you and it stays at 80% most of the time, I don't think you need to change anything

 

[MBAir2010]

You think most members here are younger than your MacBook Air which, at the very oldest, could be 13? But looking at your name I’m guessing it’s 11.

nice that people still read the fine print!

 

[OVERTASK]

You think most members here are younger than your MacBook Air which, at the very oldest, could be 13? But looking at your name I’m guessing it’s 11.

I'm a new soul came into this strange world, hoping I could learn a bit about how to give and take

 

[lclev]

FWIW - I have a 14" M1 Max MBP/64GB/1TB. I use it in clamshell mode connected to two 27" 4K monitors and a USB-C hub for my USB mouse and two external SSD's. I plug it into a USB-C power brick if the battery hit less than 50%. Since most of my work is video work it will deplete the battery in 2-3 hours. When I am done for the day I bring it home and leave it off of the charger until I go to bed.

When it is on battery I have it set to use low power mode. I have had it operate for over 14 hours off of the charger just cruising on the web. I am always careful with plugging and unplugging ports. That said I have found over the years the ports are very sturdy. I have a 2009 MB that is still in service and all the ports are used and functioning perfectly.

 

[loby]

what is clamshell?
is that when the macbook (or dell ups) is closed but still works via a monitor-track pad and BT keyboard?
on my MacBook Air (that is older than most members here) once the lid is closed, its sleeping- even when playing music.

thanks in advance!

Yes

 

[loby]

I suppose it depends. For me it never really worked, eventually it ended up charging to 100% and stayed there forever.
If it works for you and it stays at 80% most of the time, I don't think you need to change anything

Apple has that feature now that saves the battery and does not charge it up to 100% when the power charger is plugged in for a long period of time. I think the option is to only charge the battery to 80%. ?

If this is the case, then shouldn’t this protect the battery in calm shell mode? I am interested in knowing, for I too will plug the new M1 MAX a lot like the example for work.

 

[arche3]

I used a 2019 over a year plugged in 24_7. Nothing happened to battery. I had battery management on.