MacBook with an External Monitor and the lid closed

Hi there

Can I run my MacBook with the lid closed and connected to a Apple Cinema Display?

I tried to close the lid with the monitor plugged in but the MacBook seemed to go to sleep.

You wake it up by either,

- Inserting a Usb
- Pressing a button on the provided Apple Remote.

I usually do the latter when connecting up to my 32" HD

...or by an external keyboard or mouse.

Youc an go to www.macupdate.com and download screen spanning doctor (or something similar to that). When you install it make sure you click the clamshell mode. So now when your macbook is closed the external screen will stay on. With this program instead of the external monitor mirroring whats already on the built in one, it will extend the desktop.

I too am very interested in this option. I haven't found anything that works with the latest version of OS X. Also the clamshell mode sounds cool but I don't want my displays to be spanned, I just want my Cinema HD monitor to be the main display with my lid closed on the laptop.

Closing the lid is not recommended as those macbooks generate heat and would reduce the life of the machine. Why not leave the screen up while turning down the brightness 100%? Works for me.

I haven't had any issues with heat with the lid closed. The fan kicks in to high speed at the same times with lid open or closed.

I just close the lid with the monitor connected and click the mouse and it wakes up. No software needed.