Use only the external monitor with the lid opened

[Rozovici]

Hello,

I would like to know if there is a way to use only my external monitor without closing the lid. I would like not to close the lid to improve the thermal performance.

Thank you

 

[ipsedixit]

Is it an M1 Mackbook Air? If so, how would keeping the lid open improve thermal performance on a M1 Mackbook Air? There are no fans.

 

[xboxbml]

Hello,

I would like to know if there is a way to use only my external monitor without closing the lid. I would like not to close the lid to improve the thermal performance.

Sorry… had to read that again.. read it wrong.. I use mine with lid closed and plugged into power and there is a setting somewhere I think in preferences…not in front of machine right now so can’t remember.. I do this on my 2015 MBA…

 

[Rozovici]

Is it an M1 Mackbook Air? If so, how would keeping the lid open improve thermal performance on a M1 Mackbook Air? There are no fans.

The heat dissipation will defenetly be better with the lid open as it won't go directly into the screen which happens when the lid is closed.

 

[jerryk]

You can plug in an external monitor and ignore the screen. Just move it to a corner of the desktop that will contain both the screen and monitor and don't mouse into that corner.

I do this with my Air from time to time when I am on a Zoom call and want to also want to watch a game. I put the conference on the external monitor where I mount my camera. This gives me more screen real estate, and when I talk I am facing everyone. Then I leave the Air with it's screen open in the corner of my desk and peak at the game when the meeting gets boring.

 

[mj_]

Unfortunately, you cannot disable the internal display with the lid open.

 

[AngrofMayfair]

You can turn the brightness down to zero…
it’s a good idea to leave the lid open - from a wear and tear POV but also I managed to get my MBA quite warm yesterday, first time ever- it was indexing my 44000 music library in Roon with the settings on max, all cores maxed out

 

[Rozovici]

I wanted this to also help the GPU, as it won't have to handle both displays. Turning the birghness down will not improve the GPU performance.

 

[sunapple]

I wanted this to also help the GPU, as it won't have to handle both displays. Turning the birghness down will not improve the GPU performance.

That is correct. In my opinion the optimal performance can be achieved by closing the lid and placing the laptop in a vertical stand like the Twelve South BookArc. Screen off, bottom of the laptop up in the air. Hot air will exit nicely from the back, it is actually designed to work well while closed. Hope this helps.

 

[jdb8167]

That is correct. In my opinion the optimal performance can be achieved by closing the lid and placing the laptop in a vertical stand like the Twelve South BookArc. Screen off, bottom of the laptop up in the air. Hot air will exit nicely from the back, it is actually designed to work well while closed. Hope this helps.

I use my M1 MacBook Air like this nearly all the time. It works fine and the MBA never shows temps much beyond 45° C unless I’m really pushing it. Most of the time it is in the mid-to-low 30s° C.

 

[sunapple]

I use my M1 MacBook Air like this nearly all the time. It works fine and the MBA never shows temps much beyond 45° C unless I’m really pushing it. Most of the time it is in the mid-to-low 30s° C.

My not-so-fanless setup for Minecraft during summer a couple of years ago, usually no issues though 😉 (slow 12” MacBook).