Old MacBook Air Clamshell Mode

[Ratsima]

I have a 2010 11" MacBook Air (10.9.5) at my condo that runs 24/7. It does some webcam software and a shell script that keeps the Internet up. I have it set to restart every 24 hours.

In the past I’ve always left it with the lid slightly open. This has been working fine for four or five years.

Now I’m wondering if it will keep running in clamshell mode even with no external monitor/mouse/keyboard.

I could just try it, but I thought I’d ask first.

TIA


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[pigoo3]

Now I’m wondering if it will keep running in clamshell mode even with no external monitor/mouse/keyboard.

I do not believe this will work. Technically to be considered in clamshell "mode"...it needs to have an external monitor connected. If the MacBook Air's display is closed without an external monitor connected (and for the MacBook Air to detect)...it will simply go to sleep.

But...in the past members have mentioned various apps that do things like prevent a computer from EVER going to sleep (I believe one of them was called "caffeine"). Maybe it's possible to install one of these apps...and possibly prevent an Apple portable computer from going to sleep when the display lid is closed.

Maybe check it out...and let us know.

HTH,

- Nick

 

[ferrarr]

I believe, if you have all the proper settings this will work.

@pigoo3, how would the MBA know if the external display wasn’t just switched off, but a cable was connected? Especially, if the MBA was set to “never sleep”?

 

[pigoo3]

@pigoo3, how would the MBA know if the external display wasn’t just switched off, but a cable was connected?

There's communication between the computer & the monitor. If the external monitor were shut off (no power-on signal)...then no video signal is sent to the external monitor. And if the MacBook Air detects no power signal from the external monitor...then the MacBook Air will go to sleep as well.

Especially, if the MBA was set to “never sleep”?

I believe the "never sleep" setting only counts if the MacBook Air display or external display is operational. If the MacBook Air display is closed...and/or an external monitor is attached (but powered off)...then the computer will go to sleep since no display (internal or external) is operational.

I'm sure we have lots of members that could do a test. Someone give it a shot. If I'm wrong...no problamo.

- Nick

 

[chscag]

Unless Apple has changed the way Clamshell mode works, Nick is correct. I ran my MacBook that way for years and unless the external monitor is detected the machine will sleep. Also, in order for clamshell mode to work, the machine has to be on AC power not battery.

 

[Ratsima]

The only reason I haven’t tested is because that computer keeps the Internet going. If it goes to sleep and the Internet goes down my working wife will be quite unhappy.

I have tested with an old White MacBook. It definitely goes to sleep as soon as the cover is closed, even though it is set to never sleep.

 

[ferrarr]

It definitely goes to sleep as soon as the cover is closed, even though it is set to never sleep.

Even with a display cable connected?

 

[Ratsima]

I don’t have one


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