newbie wanting help

ive just got my brand new macbook pro 15" and was wondering if there is anyway to hav programs still running when i close the lid? i want it to continue downloading things over night but i dont want to leave the lid open, any help appriciated, cheers

Here's Apple's take on the issue Apple Portables: How to use your computer in closed clamshell (display closed) mode with an external display. Some users are also finding Insomnia X useful for this http://semaja2.net/insomniaxinfohelpful.

i47 conforph

thanks for the reply, apples solution isnt what im after really, just want it to carry on downloading things when im away from it and ive closed the lid

That method should allow downloads to continue. I think the software method would as well but I haven't used it.