How to keep laptop awake while lid is closed?

I have inspected 'System Preferences' but unable to find the option to prevent the laptop from sleeping while the lid is closed and connected to the power adapter.

The reason: While I use Apple TV, I want my laptop lid closed without the movie being played on it stopped. Call me superficial but the room does not look as neat if I have my TV and laptop screens both displaying simultaneously. I hope that's a fair request to have.

I don't know of a solution, but I will caution you that the MBP uses the top surface as a cooling agent for MBP's, so closing the clamshell and keeping it running can lead to heating. Given the intensity of video when driving a movie, that heat generation could be a real problem. So my suggesting would be to close the clamshell but leave it open slightly. I've also seen advice to put it on a stand with air circulating underneath to improve cooling as well.

BTW, the rationale for Apple to have it sleep when closed is to prevent someone from accidentally closing it, not realizing it's still running, and then putting it into a carry bag or sleeve and not allowing ANY cooling.

As for using it with Apple TV, I have my laptop in a different room so I don't even see it when I'm watching a movie through it. Just a thought for you.

Good point with the heating of the screen and leaving the laptop in another room.

You could just turn the brightness all the way down.

I have not bought Apple TV yet (buying tomorrow) but by adjusting the brightness on the laptop, it may have the consequential effect for the tv, since Apple TV mirrors the laptop

I wouldn't expect the brightness on the laptop to have any effect on the Apple TV's brightness..

Laptop screen brightness doesn't affect the Apple TV.

If you want to use a Mac laptop with an external display with the lid closed, you need to have a keyboard and mouse attached:
Mac notebooks: How to use your computer in closed clamshell (display closed) mode with an external display

Don't know if an ATV would class as an external display though.

Snap!

Given that the OP was concerned about how it looked to have the MBP open while he watched movies, I don't think attaching a keyboard and monitor will be a solution he wants...just sayin'

Bluetooth. Hide em in the TV cabinet

Or just put the laptop in the cabinet!

I put my movies into my iTunes library and turn on home sharing. I can leave my macbook in my bedroom and play movies/songs thru my AppleTV all night without the macbook going to sleep. I don't think it plays the movies/songs on the computer when it's using itunes to stream the files to my AppleTV.

Given that the OP was concerned about how it looked to have the MBP open while he watched movies, I don't think attaching a keyboard and monitor will be a solution he wants

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Probably true, but it's the only way it will work.

Bluetooth. Hide em in the TV cabinet

Click to expand...

No, must be a USB keyboard and mouse.

MacInWin said:

Given that the OP was concerned about how it looked to have the MBP open while he watched movies, I don't think attaching a keyboard and monitor will be a solution he wants...just sayin'

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I don't mind connected Bluetooth keyboard, since it's wireless but at attaching my laptop to my TV using wires don't aesthetically appeal to me

MacInWin said:

Laptop screen brightness doesn't affect the Apple TV.

Click to expand...

If laptop brightness does not affect the TV, that sounds like a good solution to me.

MightyGem said:

Probably true, but it's the only way it will work.


No, must be a USB keyboard and mouse.

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If I can connect a wireless keyboard and wireless mouse while being able to close the lid, that's perfect! I can surf the web using the TV as a monitor while lying on my bed with the keyboard and mouse. Great bedroom setting.

Does it have to be with both the keyboard and mouse or can it just be with one device?
But yeah, I would have to use both the keyboard and mouse to actually surf the web...just asking

MightyGem said:

No, must be a USB keyboard and mouse.

Click to expand...

Not quite - you can use BT peripherals in clamshell mode (I do it here quite frequently).

Not quite - you can use BT peripherals in clamshell mode (I do it here quite frequently).

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OK. I was just going by what Apple say in my link.