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jennyp

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Oct 27, 2007
670
366
I find that, using my iMac, I can, via file sharing, open and edit documents that are on my MacBook Pro while the latter is apparently asleep with the lid closed.

Is doing this harmless to the MBP?
 
I find that, using my iMac, I can, via file sharing, open and edit documents that are on my MacBook Pro while the latter is apparently asleep with the lid closed.

Is doing this harmless to the MBP?

I doubt Apple would enable a function that damaged your MBP.
 
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It's a supported feature to wake up on demand for things like file sharing: https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT201960

Though admittedly, that suggests it should only work if lid is open and asleep unless external display attached..

But I wouldn't worry anyway if it's not obviously otherwise on, as clamshell mode has always been a supported mode in any case.
 
Yes it is a feature. Although I didn't know this in 2014 and replaced a perfectly good Macbook Pro that I used to have on a shelf, lid open for iTunes Home Sharing and as a file server. The cat would sit on the keyboard when the laptop got warm and go to sleep, so to avoid damage I replaced it with a Mac Mini to great financial cost, then I found out this feature in OS X.... :oops:
 
Thanks for the replies guys. I have to admit that this is a belated revelation to me. I was wondering what the catch was! I guess I was worrying that editing documents etc remotely might make the MBP heat up too much or something with the lid closed. It's an all-SSD MBP, if that makes any difference.
 
Thanks for the replies guys. I have to admit that this is a belated revelation to me. I was wondering what the catch was! I guess I was worrying that editing documents etc remotely might make the MBP heat up too much or something with the lid closed. It's an all-SSD MBP, if that makes any difference.
Your computer is designed to take care of itself in regards to heat. This wouldn't be doable if it was harmful to do.

I think the fear of overheating is a bit too widespread around these parts.
 
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