Why do so many people buy MacBooks, only to run them in clamshell mode all of the time?

[The Cockney Rebel]

Surely you’d get better value buying a Mini or a Studio?

 

[redheeler]

Who is doing this? I'd imagine it's for that 5% of time when someone is traveling and doesn't want to purchase a separate desktop and laptop. Or the laptop comes from work and the job is work from home.

Running them in clamshell all the time isn't good for the battery.

 

[russell_314]

Surely you’d get better value buying a Mini or a Studio?

Of course but people can be silly. What if I want to go on that European vacation that I never go on but you never know so I have to buy a MacBook.

A lot of times people buy stuff for the what if’s instead of what they actually need. They use a computer to browse the Internet and check email but get 16 GB of RAM because who knows maybe they want to start their own YouTube channel so they’re going to need to edit 4K video. Of course they never start a YouTube channel but that doesn’t stop them from spending the extra money. I’m sure Apple appreciates the extra money 🤣

 

[ovbacon]

Because we need it to be mobile and used at various places that don't provide monitors at the ready?!?!
If I go on a trip I can't take my mini or iMac with me but it is really easy to take my MBA.

I don't know but I think the answer is pretty obvious .

 

[WriteNow]

A lot of times people buy stuff for the what if’s instead of what they actually need.

I've noticed that, too. I've known more than one person who bought a laptop of some sort that ended up spending almost all to all (depending on the person) its life as a desktop computer.

 

[Nermal]

A lot of times people buy stuff for the what if’s instead of what they actually need.

Case in point: Activity Monitor is currently showing 7.5 GB of swap used, so I just ordered an extra 32 GB of RAM...

Meanwhile, we were all given laptops at work "for portability". It's been about three years since then, and I think I've taken it away from my desk once. I would much rather have had a more powerful desktop.

 

[svenmany]

I'm almost always in clamshell mode at my desk. But, every once and a while (every week or so) I work at a coffee shop for a few hours. Sometimes I just need to get away from my desk and put my feet up, so I grab my computer and move to a different room for a bit.

Since I only want to buy one computer, I only buy laptops. I know that my battery could be happier, but I care more about myself and my work than I care about my battery. I would feel trapped at my desk if I only had a desktop computer.

 

[subjonas]

If someone needs a laptop 10 days a year, should they buy a whole other desktop and have the laptop collect dust for 355 days a year? That’s a bigger waste than whatever the cons of using clamshell mode is. And many people use clamshell mode for years without issue.

 

[bill-p]

Surely you’d get better value buying a Mini or a Studio?

Whenever I need to move away from the desk, which is at least once a week, it would be nice to be able to bring the computer along and work with all of my files and what I need within my grasp. Ditto for when I go on trips, which is multiple times a year.

Bonus points if I don't have to squint to read texts or reduce font size to fit a workspace. Even more bonus it doesn't break my poor aching back.

You can argue that... I can just remember to transfer what I need over to a MacBook whenever I'm about to go on these trips, but... why even bother? I can just work on the MacBook all the time and then unplug and take just the MacBook with me without having to worry about missing files. I know I'll always have the files regardless of whether that cloud sync worked or failed.

It basically just simplifies what I have to remember when there's literally just one main storage of my digital life, instead of there being multiple. So I don't have to recall where I left my wife's legal docs or the kids' school application. They're all most likely in the Documents folder on this one machine.

What if the machine fails or someone steals it, you ask? That's what cloud sync is for, isn't it? Granted, I can also work with cloud sync to multiple devices, but then you're basically suggesting I should buy a MacBook that only gets used once a week at most... and then sits there doing nothing for the rest of its life. Sounds like even more of a waste to me.

 

[Longplays]

Many want to just spend on 1 computer.

Laptops are preferred 80% of the time and when they want a desktop they want a larger than 16" screen with full sized keyboard & mouse.

So the next best thing is a laptop + external display.

If Apple allowed macOS on iPhone when connected to a Thunderbolt 5 display with I/O dock would have many prefering that even when it will cost them $3k-4k for that convenience.

 

[code-m]

I've noticed that, too. I've known more than one person who bought a laptop of some sort that ended up spending almost all to all (depending on the person) its life as a desktop computer.

Same reason people get insurance for vehicles, homes, etc.

 

[BigMcGuire]

Because we need it to be mobile and used at various places that don't provide monitors at the ready?!?!
If I go on a trip I can't take my mini or iMac with me but it is really easy to take my MBA.

I don't know but I think the answer is pretty obvious .

Yep, that's it. Sometimes I go with my wife to her work and spend time in her lab for the day. ~3 times a year I do a work trip. I want something that I can use everywhere, not just at my desk. That's why I went and got a laptop. One device.

 

[code-m]

If someone needs a laptop 10 days a year, should they buy a whole other desktop and have the laptop collect dust for 355 days a year? That’s a bigger waste than whatever the cons of using clamshell mode is. And many people use clamshell mode for years without issue.

I have plus I also have my laptop always plugged and macOS only charges till 80%.

Battery is fine after 2.5 years almost 3 later this year. The scaremongering related to battery life on this forum is like some weird fetish by those who think the cells in the body also age.

 

[code-m]

Yep, that's it. Sometimes I go with my wife to her work and spend time in her lab for the day. ~3 times a year I do a work trip. I want something that I can use everywhere, not just at my desk. That's why I went and got a laptop. One device.

I wonder why it bothers some how other spend their money and use the equipment purchased with it.

I have a laptop, I hardly travel with it but I also don’t like sitting at a desk. My iPad serves the travel needs.

I always favoured laptops, had many iMacs but went back to a laptop for its versatility.

 

[code-m]

Surely you’d get better value buying a Mini or a Studio?

If the mini and studio comes with a battery then okay but adding an UPS for the computer, monitor, speakers, mic, camera then a keyboard and mouse or trackpad and the setup is not only expensive but not very portable for those instances when one needs to be mobile.

 

[Clix Pix]

I use an M1 16" MBP and, yes, it serves primarily as a desktop substitute in that the machine itself is supported on a stand and I use an external Magic Keyboard and an Apple BT Magic Mouse with it. I don't put the machine into clamshell mode, though -- I keep it open, primarily because I am concerned about potential heat buildup if a machine is closed up in clamshell mode while actually running.

This actually comes in handy anyway, as when I am editing photographic images on my 24" LG 4K external monitor that is connected to the MBP, I can also easily glance over at the open MBP and its smaller screen and get an idea of how the image might be seen by someone using a different sized screen that what I am seeing when I'm doing the editing.

I love the versatility and flexibility offered by having this setup. Any time I want or need to take my MBP somewhere else, no problem to quickly pull out and remove from one of the Thunderbolt 3 ports on the machine the one Thunderbolt 3 cable which connects it to the external monitor and away we go.... Later, easy enough to just plug that one cable back in as well.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

What exactly is "clamshell mode"?

Is it just some strange way of describing using a laptop on a desk?

Or, does this expression distinguish between the use of a laptop that lives off its battery power, or is plugged in to an electric power outlet?

I wonder why it bothers some how other spend their money and use the equipment purchased with it.

I cannot articulate how much I find myself in complete, utter and heartfelt agreement with this sentiment.

If I could click on ten "like" or "love" icons to signal passionate approval of what you have written, I would.

On topic, I have one computer, a laptop, my beloved MBA, which has, quite literally (as now) has travelled the world with me.

However, when I am not travelling, this darling device sits on my desk at home, where I use it

 

[dawnrazor]

Work from work, work from home…. One mobile computer two fixed monitors… and desk size might make having the laptop open prohibitive…

 

[rm5]

What exactly is "clamshell mode"?

where you close the lid of the MacBook (with the charger connected), and hook up an external monitor/keyboard/mouse to use it as if it was a desktop.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

where you close the lid of the MacBook (with the charger connected), and hook up an external monitor/keyboard/mouse to use it as if it was a desktop.

Aaaah.

Now, thank you for your explanation.

That is an expression that - quite clearly - I had not understood.

However, what I understand even less is why what anyone chooses to do with their computer is anyone else's business.

 

[redheeler]

I'm almost always in clamshell mode at my desk. But, every once and a while (every week or so) I work at a coffee shop for a few hours. Sometimes I just need to get away from my desk and put my feet up, so I grab my computer and move to a different room for a bit.

Since I only want to buy one computer, I only buy laptops. I know that my battery could be happier, but I care more about myself and my work than I care about my battery. I would feel trapped at my desk if I only had a desktop computer.

Can confirm the need to get out and go to a coffee shop is real. 🙃

 

[IJBrekke]

My thing is: Why not buy a laptop stand and park it next to your external monitor, gain some free extra screen real estate? That definitely beats clamshell mode in my opinion. Extra bonuses: You still have easy access to Touch ID, you can use the webcam if you don’t have an external one, and you have a “2nd screen” if your M1/M2 doesn’t support dual monitors.

 

[Love-hate 🍏 relationship]

Comparing to the prices when I bought my first MacBook (MBA M1)

MBA M1 : 1129€ (curent price is 1200,crazy) + USB A adapter , can be found for quite cheap tbh

Mac mini M1 : 800€. Add magic trackpad for 130€ + keyboard (with or without touch ID ) for roughly 100 (150 with touch ID) That makes us 1030€ . So 100€ from a MacBook air , which is a very small price to pay for a portable device

Big pro of the mini though: it has a Fan .


EDIT: with the new prices in EU youre right though, apple is ****ing us over :

MBA M2 for 1300€ (it was 1500! Before the 15" launch)

Mac mini M2 for 700 , with keyboard and trackpad = 930

So yes, with the new apple prices, there's a 400€ gap , which makes it more "stupid "

(And before the 15" launch, you'd have to spend 600€ to go from a mini to a MBA lmao)

 

[circatee]

I use a MBP for work, and 90% of the time, the lid is closed (is that 'clamshell mode'?). But, I believe I saw a post stating that said mode isn't good for the battery. Why is that?

Regardless, with me using two monitors at work, there is simply no need to have the MBP 16" screen open. Now, when I wander off to a meeting with my MBP, I use the screen then.

I hope that helps 😂

 

[circatee]

My thing is: Why not buy a laptop stand and park it next to your external monitor, gain some free extra screen real estate?

If I didn't have a standing desk (Ergotron), this would probably be my preferred option...