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Macbook + External display with lid closed???

mojopixel

mojopixel

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Nov 4, 2007
261
0
Somewhere in Time
Hello,

I'm trying to connect my MacBook to my external display and wanted to know whether it is possible to have the lid closed on my MacBook and still use the external display? If I can do this, how do I go about setting this up?

cheers

mp :confused:
 
After you hook everything up and close it up, it will go to sleep. Move the mouse or hit a button on the keyboard and it will reawaken and stay awake.
 
IgnatiusTheKing said:
After you hook everything up and close it up, it will go to sleep. Move the mouse or hit a button on the keyboard and it will reawaken and stay awake.
Click to expand...

I tried this but nothing happened. I have a wireless keyboard and mouse, do I need to have a keyboard and mouse connected separately to my USB hub?
 
mojopixel said:
I tried this but nothing happened. I have a wireless keyboard and mouse, do I need to have a keyboard and mouse connected separately to my USB hub?
Click to expand...

Are they Bluetooth? If so, you need to make sure you have the option selected to "Allow Bluetooth devices to wake this computer" in the Bluetooth settings.
 
IgnatiusTheKing said:
Are they Bluetooth? If so, you need to make sure you have the option selected to "Allow Bluetooth devices to wake this computer" in the Bluetooth settings.
Click to expand...

No, they're not bluetooth, I have a logitech keyboard and mouse that connects via infrared to a hub which then connects to a USB port
 
mojopixel said:
cool. are you able to have the option of putting your MacBook to sleep once you have installed insomniaX?
Click to expand...

Yes. You can easily disable / enable the program with one click in the menu it puts along the top bar for you.
 
I was going to ask a sort - of similar question, but didn't want to start a new topic.

Is there any other way to select which displays you want to use other than closing / opening the MacBook lids?

On most (OMG!) Windows laptops there's a button (usually a function one) that you can press to toggle between
laptop screen - > both external & laptop - > Just external

Anything similar for the Mac, or is closing the lid the only option?
 
pjrobertson said:
I was going to ask a sort - of similar question, but didn't want to start a new topic.

Is there any other way to select which displays you want to use other than closing / opening the MacBook lids?

On most (OMG!) Windows laptops there's a button (usually a function one) that you can press to toggle between
laptop screen - > both external & laptop - > Just external

Anything similar for the Mac, or is closing the lid the only option?
Click to expand...

This is the only option. You will notice that the mac way is much more functional for cloning / dual screening between the laptop and an external than it is on a Windows machine.
 
mojopixel said:
I tried this but nothing happened. I have a wireless keyboard and mouse, do I need to have a keyboard and mouse connected separately to my USB hub?
Click to expand...


I never had success plugging in a keyboard/mouse/display and then closing the lid.

Closing the lid first then plugging everything in after is what works for me. Try that and get back to us.
 
problem solved

Hello,

Thanks for all of your responses. I think Apple must be reading my mind or something because I was contemplating swapping my MacBook for an iMac when the little blue software update appeared on my dock. I downloaded the update, which apparently fixes a bug for using an external display with the lid closed and, Hey Presto!, I can now use my external display with the lid down and use my monitors native resolution of 1920x1200. So I'm happy! :) :apple:

cheers,

mp :)
 
AndyK said:
This is the only option. You will notice that the mac way is much more functional for cloning / dual screening between the laptop and an external than it is on a Windows machine.
Click to expand...


I'll have to disagree with you there. I'd say the Mac way is worse :(

I was converting and burning a .avi file to DVD use just my external monitor (and Mac in clamshell mode) and my MB nearly got to 100ºC!
Now if I'd known I'd have opened it, or if it had an option like windows, I would never have had the problem in the first place :D

btw - Macs are still better than PCs :p
 
pjrobertson said:
I'll have to disagree with you there. I'd say the Mac way is worse :(

I was converting and burning a .avi file to DVD use just my external monitor (and Mac in clamshell mode) and my MB nearly got to 100ºC!
Now if I'd known I'd have opened it, or if it had an option like windows, I would never have had the problem in the first place :D

btw - Macs are still better than PCs :p
Click to expand...

Once you have your laptop in clamshell mode, you can open it up to give it more ventilation.
 
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