Why can't I close my MBP and just (only) use my ACD?

[johnbro23]

I'd like to use my 23" Apple Cinema Display without the MacBook Pro open. When I close my MBP, the computer goes to sleep, thus, displaying nothing on the ACD. Any way to change this?

 

[Cameront9]

I'd like to use my 23" Apple Cinema Display without the MacBook Pro open. When I close my MBP, the computer goes to sleep, thus, displaying nothing on the ACD. Any way to change this?

Close the lid, let it go to sleep, then wake it up by pressing a key on an external keyboard. Should work.

 

[SimonTheSoundMa]

Apple do not allow a computer (controlled by PMU) to stay on when the lid is closed as it causes the laptops to over heat. You will damage your laptop having it closed.

 

[killmoms]

Apple do not allow a computer (controlled by PMU) to stay on when the lid is closed as it causes the laptops to over heat. You will damage your laptop having it closed.

Not true. Apple fully supports lid-closed operation when the laptop is connected to an external display and mouse/keyboard (wired or wireless).

 

[iJaz]

Not true. Apple fully supports lid-closed operation when the laptop is connected to an external display and mouse/keyboard (wired or wireless).

Yes, at least they used to support that on the PowerBooks but not on the iBooks if I remember correctly.

 

[killmoms]

Yes, you're right. However, it's now supported on both the MacBooks and MacBook Pros, and the feature is mentioned by name on both machines' specs pages.

 

[aristobrat]

Close the lid, let it go to sleep, then wake it up by pressing a key on an external keyboard. Should work.

I think that you're required to have a power supply hooked up to your MBP in addition to the external keyboard or mouse before it works in clamshell mode.

 

[stoid]

I think that you're required to have a power supply hooked up to your MBP in addition to the external keyboard or mouse before it works in clamshell mode.

This is true, unless they changed something since the G4 PowerBook. My PowerBook will only run my 23" ADC when it has a power source.

 

[gloss]

I think that you're required to have a power supply hooked up to your MBP in addition to the external keyboard or mouse before it works in clamshell mode.

Yup.

 

[angelp]

I just close the lid and unplug and then plug back in the power adaptor and move my mouse and it automatically shows up on the monitor.

 

[26139]

huh?

Apple do not allow a computer (controlled by PMU) to stay on when the lid is closed as it causes the laptops to over heat. You will damage your laptop having it closed.

This only applied to iBooks. Both Macbooks and Macbook Pros can run just fine in clamshell mode with either an attached external mouse or keyboard (one of them has to be wired for it to work).

 

[TDM21]

With my PB is usually put it to sleep manually (from the Apple Menu), press a key on the keyboard, then quickly close the lid. This will cause the PowerBook not to use the built-in display. Once I've done that, I can open the lid back up so I don't have heat issues. The built-in display won't turn on until you either press F7 or unplug the external monitor. With this setup you don't need an extra keyboard or mouse.