Macbook With External Display

[steelhorse]

I ordered a 24" external display and an adapter to connect the macbook.

I just wanted to ask for those who already have this setup whether I can close the book (with an external bluetooth keyboard and mouse sync'd) and still use it?

Never have done this before so thought I'd ask.

thanks!

 

[Slydude]

Just tested it with the Apple Bluetooth keyboard and mouse to be sure. It works well. In fact I am typing this post with the lid closed as we speak. I don't normally run that way, this was just a test, so I can't speak to any heat issues that might arise.

BTW I had better luck waking the system from the mouse than from the keyboard.

 

[steelhorse]

Thanks!

 

[RustProofCorn]

I don't use a mouse or keyboard. Just my iPhone with an app. Works good.

 

[steelhorse]

I own an iphone too, I want to enlarge what I view, not reduce! LOL

 

[MYmacROX]

Just tested it with the Apple Bluetooth keyboard and mouse to be sure. It works well. In fact I am typing this post with the lid closed as we speak. I don't normally run that way, this was just a test, so I can't speak to any heat issues that might arise.

BTW I had better luck waking the system from the mouse than from the keyboard.

If anything, it will produce less heat with the lid closed.

If you wait about 10 seconds after closing the lid before you try to wake the Mac, then the keyboard should do the trick just as well.

 

[steelhorse]

If anything, it will produce less heat with the lid closed.

If you wait about 10 seconds after closing the lid before you try to wake the Mac, then the keyboard should do the trick just as well.

Thanks, that's what I needed to know

 

[Slydude]

If anything, it will produce less heat with the lid closed.

If you wait about 10 seconds after closing the lid before you try to wake the Mac, then the keyboard should do the trick just as well.

Good to know. I usually run with the lid open so I can use the extra screen real estate. My iChat, and Skype windows are there are there as well as the weather widget. I'm moving things like tool palates there so that the main screen can be used for the documents.

 

[Mickyfin]

This is great to know, as I too will be investing in an external monitor eventually. Already planning the route with external keyboard, and magic mouse

 

[RONE]

Aren't the fan exhausts covered when the lid is closed? I'd be worried about heat build up. Plus, with the lid closed, heat can't be transferred directly from the keyboard to air. It would be interesting to test this, and simple enough, too!

 

[MYmacROX]

Aren't the fan exhausts covered when the lid is closed? I'd be worried about heat build up. Plus, with the lid closed, heat can't be transferred directly from the keyboard to air. It would be interesting to test this, and simple enough, too!

Well, I have the MBP just before the unibodies came out and when the lid is closed the vents in the back are not blocked at all. Not sure if it is the same design with the unibody models.
Also with lid closed, you don't have the heat from the screen. I'm pretty sure I remember reading that the heat in Apple's notebooks is not released through the keyboard. Only through the "vents" in the back.

 

[JohnCL]

The vents are not blocked on the unibody, and there are no heat issues in this setup. I have used my MBP for many hours with the lid closed and have never had a problem.

 

[Loathe]

The vents are not blocked on the unibody, and there are no heat issues in this setup. I have used my MBP for many hours with the lid closed and have never had a problem.

Not blocked? It's totally blocked! When you close the lid the little flap that connects to the screen comes down and block the vent completely! I'm not sure which model you guys are talking about?

 

[TomWilliams]

apple designed the unibody notebooks so that when the lid was closed the hinge does cover the exhaust vents, to prevent dust build up. Having said that, apple go as far as giving instructions on how to run a mbp in 'clamshell' mode, so they must endorse using it in that way?