Using an External display with my MBA M1 closed

[blackst]

I would like to use my MBA M1 with the internal monitor closed and the "action" going on, on an external display. Is this possible?

If I close the lid, the system goes to sleep.

 

[Novius89]

You can only use this, with the charger connected.

I use this to watch movies on my tv. In the living room it is Oke, because the MacBook is on my desk, connected with a long hdmi cable.
When I decide to watch in the bedroom, it’s a hassle to take the charger with me. 😂

I don’t know why this is not possible without charger, probably to save the battery , and I understand or don’t mind it really but : first world problem

 

[xraydoc]

I would like to use my MBA M1 with the internal monitor closed and the "action" going on, on an external display. Is this possible?

If I close the lid, the system goes to sleep.

I do it all the time. Make sure you've set in bluetooth settings to allow BT devices to wake up the machine.
I believe it requires power to be connected as the post above says (though it works fine on battery with the lid open. Go figure).

 

[mj_]

This particular modi operandi is commonly referred to as clamshell mode and has three requirements that need to be met: power, display, and at least one input device. The device might go to sleep when you close the lid, which is where aforementioned input devices comes in to save the day and wake it back up again.

 

[DavidQPR]

The annoying thing I find out using my MacBook clamshell is the external screen going black with a "No signal" message two or three times after the initial connection. Tapping the escape key repeatedly brings the screen back but annoying all the same

 

[turbineseaplane]

The annoying thing I find out using my MacBook clamshell is the external screen going black with a "No signal" message two or three times after the initial connection. Tapping the escape key repeatedly brings the screen back but annoying all the same

That with a dongle?

Some dongle connections need power for certain connections (official Apple USB-C dongle is this way from my experience)

 

[DavidQPR]

That with a dongle?

Some dongle connections need power for certain connections (official Apple USB-C dongle is this way from my experience)

Yes I use a dock. Got no choice. Once it has been through the screen blackening a couple of times it’s then rock solid

 

[jdb8167]

You can only use this, with the charger connected.

I use this to watch movies on my tv. In the living room it is Oke, because the MacBook is on my desk, connected with a long hdmi cable.
When I decide to watch in the bedroom, it’s a hassle to take the charger with me. 😂

I don’t know why this is not possible without charger, probably to save the battery , and I understand or don’t mind it really but : first world problem

You don't actually need to connect a charger. There is a command line workaround:
sudo pmset disablesleep 1

I find that in clamshell mode with an external monitor I get very good battery life if I connect the monitor directly to the MacBook Air without a dock.

 

[Novius89]

You don't actually need to connect a charger. There is a command line workaround:
sudo pmset disablesleep 1

I find that in clamshell mode with an external monitor I get very good battery life if I connect the monitor directly to the MacBook Air without a dock.

Oh wow.

I’m completely new to Mac. And I only hook it up to the bedroom tv to watch 1 movie or whatever. So that will not deplete the battery.

will try this!
Thx man 😊

 

[jdb8167]

Oh wow.

I’m completely new to Mac. And I only hook it up to the bedroom tv to watch 1 movie or whatever. So that will not deplete the battery.

will try this!
Thx man 😊

Well it will use less power than when the internal display is on but it is still a computer that can use 15W of power. Usually it uses less though; about 5-6W or even less.