MBP Screen: No automatic shutdown when switching external monitor

Just do what I do - turn the brightness down on the laptop screen - it doesn't affect an external screen.

 

Not sure that what you're asking for would be considered a "feature" by most MBP users. I know I wouldn't want that. I love that when I put my MBP on the desk, and hook up all the desk stuff, that my 20" Cinema Display comes right up and becomes the default monitor with the menu bar (moving everything that was on my MBP screen over), and the MBP display becomes the secondary display. All without a reboot.

Macs have been designed for at least 15 years to utilize all monitors connected to them as one continuous desktop. Windows was late to that party, and also most Windows laptops assume you want to switch between internal and external when hooking up an external monitor. From what you say, sounds like Windows in BootCamp works the same way.

And yes, even with the brightness turned down, it'll still be redrawn. But unless you have an MBP with shared video memory, or you're playing a frame-rate intensive game, it's really not that big of a deal. Most MBPs can handle a 30" Cinema display...