MacBook Air i5 in clamshell mode 95% of time?

[erkanasu]

Hello, I have a 16 inch MacBook Pro which I prefer to use as a laptop and I also like to have a set desktop where I don’t have to fiddle around with plugs and connectors (I like a simple setup, just sit and work). I just got a Mac mini and it is pretty great, however I noticed the MacBook Air has a newer graphics chip and runs decently as a quad core.

Any one on here using their air as a clam shell machine most of time? Given I’m home mostly I would prefer using a 16 inch on the couch etc. and I’m thinking of returning the Mac mini and getting the air to be the clamshell desktop home base and might use the air for certain actual trips (which are more rare these days).

what do you recommend? Stick with the mini or get the 2020 i5 air? Ps have no interest in an egpu, mostly concerned about smooth system animations and long term snappy feeling (I have a separate gaming machine).

 

[ascender]

Any one on here using their air as a clam shell machine most of time? Given I’m home mostly I would prefer using a 16 inch on the couch etc. and I’m thinking of returning the Mac mini and getting the air to be the clamshell desktop home base and might use the air for certain actual trips (which are more rare these days).

I've recently switched to an Air which I either use in clamshell mode with a 4K Ultrafine screen, or on a 12 South stand so I have an extra screen. It works fine and the only times the fans come on are when I'd expect them to - encoding video, installing windows updates in a VM etc.

The 2020 Air is a very capable machine for normal productivity use. If you do start to use things like VMs, its not as fast (obviously) as the 16" when you are opening up the VM or doing anything intensive, but so long as you know that, its a nice compact machine to use.

I love the 16" MBP, but at a time when trips are few and far between, I just couldn't justify a machine like that which is nearly twice the price of the Air.

 

[CheesePuff]

Does the internal microphone work in clamshell mode? I heard reports that the T2 chip disables the microphone when the lid is closed.

 

[emadeaziz]

I use mine in clamshell mode 90% of the time and it is working fine.

 

[ascender]

Does the internal microphone work in clamshell mode? I heard reports that the T2 chip disables the microphone when the lid is closed.

I don't know actually, I always use AirPods for conference calls. I can check tomorrow.

 

[Weaselboy]

Does the internal microphone work in clamshell mode? I heard reports that the T2 chip disables the microphone when the lid is closed.

I just tested with my 2020 MBP and the mic. is off in clamshell mode. I'm thinking your Air would be the same.