Why do people use clamshell mode?

[maflynn]

I would use clamshell mode if I could but I have my keyboard/mouse/monitor all hooked up to a KVM, and the MBP is the only computer that doesn't play nice with it. If the computer goes to sleep, the only way to wake it, is the laptop's own keyboard. I have other issues of when I switch to the mac, sometimes the keyboard and mouse are not recognized even if the computer isn't asleep ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I'm getting a new KVM for xmas and so I may retry the setup but at the moment, its not feasible for me.

 

[MBAir2010]

the reason the MacBook Air got into camshlhell mode is
that it can airplay a video or game to the TV.

What is nice about the M1 chips is it only need a bluetooth mouse to activate and operate clamshell mode.
which is referred to another term, something else I forgot now.

I need to search what a KVM is now

 

[maflynn]

I need to search what a KVM is now

KVM = Keyboard, Video, Mouse switch
It allows you to use one keyboard/mouse/monitor for multiple computers. Depending on the KVM, its can be up to 4 separate computers.

Edit: I have mine setup so I have my work laptop, my personal desktop and I'd love to have my Mac. I don't do anything personal on my work laptop so I switch to my personal desktop when I want to do something like play a game.

 

[MBAir2010]

KVM = Keyboard, Video, Mouse switch
It allows you to use one keyboard/mouse/monitor for multiple computers. Depending on the KVM, its can be up to 4 separate computers.



Edit: I have mine setup so I have my work laptop, my personal desktop and I'd love to have my Mac. I don't do anything personal on my work laptop so I switch to my personal desktop when I want to do something like play a game.

neat, Thanks
my apple tv does the same thing, I think.

currently I have 3 MacBooks in use daily, which is excessive and not me.
im typing on the M1Air now

 

[seek3r]

I never understood this either.

Apple makes incredible desktops for people who want to connect a larger display. Use the right tools for the job. Buy a desktop Mac for work at the desk, and use your MacBook Pros as laptops when you need them.

Simples.

My work machine is a MBP, it can come with me anywhere, is a beast of a powerhouse and whether docked at my desk or on the road I have everything open I was already working on right at my fingertips. For super heavy lifting I have beefier machines in the cloud and in datacenters on premise at work I can use via VPN than I possibly could have on my desk. What advantage would possibly be granted by having a work desktop as well? It’s not like it’s going to gain me any advantage and it makes shifting between working mobile and at my desk harder…

 

[Allen_Wentz]

Hmm, I had not thought about KVM for years. Does anyone know if one could use a KVM to drive three 4K displays (using two MBPs)? Seems unlikely since it takes three MBP ports for three displays.

TIA

 

[sunapple]

Main reason I use my laptops (Mac personal/Windows work) in clamshell is to gain focus. I have two external monitors, don't want a distracting third small side screen.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

Main reason I use my laptops (Mac personal/Windows work) in clamshell is to gain focus. I have two external monitors, don't want a distracting third small side screen.

I find ancillary displays including the MBP display actually aid focus, by allowing me to keep something secondary but necessary like Photoshop palettes or similar off the main display; less distractions.

Plus each display can be set to a separate resolution. I want my biggest/best display at max highest resolution for images, but I want the info pane about an image to be visually much larger so I can read text detail and more easily view map locational information. So the info pane is on a display set to much lower resolution.

 

[sunapple]

I find ancillary displays including the MBP display actually aid focus, by allowing me to keep something secondary but necessary like Photoshop palettes or similar off the main display; less distractions.

Already use two displays, but they are of equal size and are aligned in a nice ergonomic way. I see most people using the small laptop screen for work chat or email, which is very distracting. I'd rather have my direct work in front of me and everything else in the background.

 

[seek3r]

Hmm, I had not thought about KVM for years. Does anyone know if one could use a KVM to drive three 4K displays (using two MBPs)? Seems unlikely since it takes three MBP ports for three displays.

TIA

One display output would have to be displaylink on the MBP side but if you had a triple monitor KVM it could drive it that way

 

[maflynn]

if one could use a KVM to drive three 4K displays

There are some that may have the capability to manage two monitors, but the majority only have a single external HDMI port that goes to one monitor.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

One display output would have to be displaylink on the MBP side but if you had a triple monitor KVM it could drive it that way

Thanks for that.

 

[seek3r]

Thanks for that.

Tbf I believe the highest end MBPs now support 3 externals without that btw

 

[Allen_Wentz]

Tbf I believe the highest end MBPs now support 3 externals without that btw

They do. I drive three 4K displays with my 2016 MBP, but it takes three of the 4 TB ports. And when I plug/unplug the displays for mobile MBP usage, when reconnecting to the 3 displays it takes 5-10 minutes of the displays hippity-hopping around before the setup is again usable, a PITA. I am about to add a new M2 MBP and/or a Studio to the mix and am looking at options, because I have databases that further complicate operation.

 

[Novius89]

I was on a budget, so I bought a 24 inch full HD monitor that can tilt into portrait view.
when I am working on assignments for my study I do use the internal screen, external screen and my iPad as sidecar/draw pad with pencil.

Really productive.

when I am casually browsing I use it in clamshell, I sit close to the monitor and everything looks crisp.

I do wish the 2020 M1 Pro would support 2 external screens, so I could buy a 4K monitor and put this HD monitor permanently in the corner in portrait view.
in That case I would always use clamshell. I don’t want to buy a DisplayPort adapter.

 

[Tagbert]

I do wish the 2020 M1 Pro would support 2 external screens, so I could buy a 4K monitor and put this HD monitor permanently in the corner in portrait view.
in That case I would always use clamshell. I don’t want to buy a DisplayPort adapter.

Do you mean the 13” MacBook Pro with M1? Yes, all of the M1 chips are limited to just one external screen.

It is a little confusing to call that the “M1 Pro” as there is an “M1 Pro” chip in the 14/16” MacBook Pros and that chip can do two external displays.

 

[Novius89]

Do you mean the 13” MacBook Pro with M1? Yes, all of the M1 chips are limited to just one external screen.

It is a little confusing to call that the “M1 Pro” as there is an “M1 Pro” chip in the 14/16” MacBook Pros and that chip can do two external displays.

Aah yes you are right 13” mbp m1 is less confusing 🙏

 

[JamesMay82]

I have a 14", and it stays in clamshell mode 95% of the time, as it's connected to my Studio Display.

I'd rather use a standalone keyboard + Magic Trackpad, and having the screen 'open' doesn't really add value to my productivity vs. using the Studio Display. Plus, I have limited desk space, so the MacBook sits in a vertical stand (in clamshell) next to my desk.

Off topic but is it safe to be in clamshell mode all the time? Does it not overheat At all? Also what about battery and it being permanently plugged in?

 

[BeatCrazy]

Off topic but is it safe to be in clamshell mode all the time? Does it not overheat At all? Also what about battery and it being permanently plugged in?

No overheating. It's Apple Silicon, stays cool as a cucumber

macOS manages the battery, and I often see the charging 'paused' at 80%. This is pretty basic/common stuff, I'm confident Apple is able to manage this situation.

 

[anshuvorty]

My reasons:

• I have a 32-inch 4K and a 27-inch 4K monitors that are more than enough screen real estate for my needs. I don't need an additional 14-inch laptop screen for my needs.
• That laptop screen is gorgeous, expensive, and fragile - if possible, I don't want it to get damaged or scratched while using it.

 

[beach bum]

Clamshell gives me more desk space. I’m still WFH, and have to use my work laptop with 2x 27” monitors. The 27’s allow for my primary work with multiple apps open and sized so that I can have at least 2-3 open on each monitor, and the laptop is kept open and used for email. I have a 24” monitor connected to my MBP. With only so much desk space available, keeping my MBP in clamshell saves my sanity (I hate a crowded desk).

 

[Bazza1]

Its only taken me over a decade (and over two Airs) to finally get around to setting up a home office using my Air in clamshell.
Time was - pre-pandemic - when I used my laptop for work travel / multiple work locations a lot, regularly. Now, not so much, but I still want the portability to grab and go when it does happen. And, like many above, I appreciate the larger screen - more real estate to get things done (plus for older eyes) - without the need or expense of getting a second computer to do the same tasks.
I do full clamshell - I have no need for a secondary screen, just mirror - while the Air slips upright into a desk organizer (behind) that I already had. Unplug a couple of cables and its ready to slip into bag for the road.

 

[IconDRT]

I run clamshell by default and if I want to go into the office or work from a cafe, I just pop it out of the dock and I'm good to go. The built-in display is great, but I like having the extra screen real estate of the 4K/60Hz display. I also feel the external display is better for my posture/comfort. I was initially concerned about heat and fan noise, but with with my 2019 MacBook Pro 15" (Vega 20 4GB) the fans really only spin up if I launch a game or work with video. I'm actually surprised how seldom I hear the fans for being an Intel i9+AMD unit. I use one TB port that goes to the Brydge hub. The hub powers the MacBook and I run external drives and display from the hub. It's all very clean and organized.

 

[Qwaf]

I’ve never seen any desk setup that has actual monitors and a laptop to the side with good ergonomics. The laptop screens are just too small to put alongside a monitor and still be as useful.

That’s why I clamshell. I’ll lean forward instinctively more often if I’m using the laptop as a third screen. Causing more back/neck/knee/hip pain for myself.

Plus, I value the cleaner desk and more desk space.

 

[anshuvorty]

I’ve never seen any desk setup that has actual monitors and a laptop to the side with good ergonomics. The laptop screens are just too small to put alongside a monitor and still be as useful.

That’s why I clamshell. I’ll lean forward instinctively more often if I’m using the laptop as a third screen. Causing more back/neck/knee/hip pain for myself.

You nailed it perfectly. This type of setup: laptop screen on a stand + external monitor isn't ergonomically correct, hence why I also prefer clamshell mode myself.