closing the lid = no sleep on macbook pro

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Hey everyone,

I just got a new MacBook Pro the other day and it's the first time I've really ever used a Mac. So far I love it, but I have one problem. I do a lot of web design, so I purchased the 30" Cinema HD monitor to go with it for when I'm at home. I want to be able to hook up a USB keyboard and mouse to it and use the laptop like a desktop with the monitor shut. I can't seem to find any info on how to make my Mac not go to sleep when I shut the monitor off. Right now I just turn the contrast all the way off but I don't really like that option. On Windows you can set it up in the control panel that when you shut the monitor nothing happens so I'm really hoping it's possible with macs. Also I found some information on here about InsomniaX but unfortunately it doesn't work with my verson of Max OS X. Anyone have any information for me?
 
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The simplest thing is just to click the mouse after you've hooked it up to the external display and keyboard. It'll wake right up again.

There are ways to keep it from sleeping when you close the lid, but they are, in my opinion, more trouble than they're worth.
 
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Is it a problem to keep the laptop running with the monitor shut? I've read a few posts that it might be a problem but no one has said for sure and I don't really wanna find out for myself with my $4,000 investment...
 
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Why not just span the display and use both screens?
Two screens is a definite plus for any designer.
 
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I'm pretty certain that there's an option for using the macbook pro with the lid closed, that is, without using 3rd party apps. Though I've never used a macbook pro for more than 5 minutes at a stretch :)
 
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ok first, all you do is have the external monitor hoooked up, and the keyboard and mouse and just close the lid then click the mouse. and it will wake up.

also i would not suggest running it with the lid closed, even if your not gonna use the macbook pro screen, which i would just use and have 2 screens. but mainly becuase the computer escapes alot of heat via the keyboard area and what not so the comp runs a crap ton hotter with the lid closed, especially during things such as photoshop.
 
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I do exactly what you are talking about everyday when I go into work. I plug the MBP into a docking station that plugs in the cinema monitor, usb keyboard etc etc. I put the MBP in the dock, turn it on and after its finished loading close the lid, hit a key on the keyboard and it wakes right back up. If I tote the laptop to a meeting and leave it sleepin then plug it back in the exact same thing, hit a key and it wakes up. No ill effects or problems as of yet and my temps stay fine (I check through istat). It actually seems to run cooler closed, I don't know if thats due to the large metal base of the docking station though. But I also do not use it for photoshop and such, just pagemaker, and basic business apps. I believe the key is having ac power and having it set to wake on bt if you have a wireless keyboard.
 
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Running intensive programs with the lid closed is not wise. Look to the left and right of your keyboard... See those areas with all the holes? That's where the fans intake and exhaust air. So running with the lid closed is not going to allow any air movement through the electronics hidden beneath the keyboard.
 
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i agree with the majority of these posts. if you are using photoshop, or any intensive programs, using it with the lid shut is probably not the best idea. it can cause serious problems with your monitor (due too heat). i can't verify the intake and exhaust, as i don't have a pro. but i wouldn't doubt that's where they are. so it could also overheat.

just a sidenote, if you are using it for webdesign, using two monitors can benifit you greatly with the code on one monitor, and the actual website on another.
 

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