macbook pro and external display

Gman · 28 Dec 2008 at 16:06

i'm connecting my macbook pro to a 42" hdtv to play some hd content. how do I go about setting the macbooks display so I can close the lid without it putting the machine into standby ?

or make it so the macbooks screen turns off while using the external display ?

Spyhop · 28 Dec 2008 at 16:20

Having the power cord plugged in lets you use an external display as the one and only display while the MacBook's lid is shut.

Slogan · 28 Dec 2008 at 16:20

Have a look for a program called InsomniaX.

I wouldn't suggest closing the lid on the MacBook Pro as it's pretty important to the cooling of the system.

Spyhop · 28 Dec 2008 at 16:24

Slogan said:
I wouldn't suggest closing the lid on the MacBook Pro as it's pretty important to the cooling of the system.

Why not? Lid-closed with external display is an officially supported mode of operation. They're well within spec to handle it.

Gman · 28 Dec 2008 at 16:47

is the lid closing still an issue with the new macbook pros ?

thanks all for the answers

Spyhop · 28 Dec 2008 at 16:52

It never was an issue.

Here's the official doc about "clamshell" mode.

Doug · 28 Dec 2008 at 20:41

Plug in monitor, close lid, wait for it to go to sleep, wake it up, et voila!

Gman · 29 Dec 2008 at 16:23

thanks guys working perfectly now

iMacMart · 29 Dec 2008 at 17:15

Doug said:
Plug in monitor, close lid, wait for it to go to sleep, wake it up, et voila!

?? Got an external monitor plugged into my MBP, close the lid and it goes to sleep and monitor turns off?

I must need to change the settings under display? I suppose.... going to have a look now

Slogan · 29 Dec 2008 at 21:46

I meant to say it was never a technical issue, I just don't think it's a good idea.

The things get hot.

MagicBoy · 29 Dec 2008 at 21:53

Slogan said:
I meant to say it was never a technical issue, I just don't think it's a good idea. The things get hot.

Aye. My lid warped...

iMacMart · 29 Dec 2008 at 23:21

Slogan said:
I meant to say it was never a technical issue, I just don't think it's a good idea. The things get hot.

I must say that my MBP got toasty underneath in the top right after some gaming.....

Cook the egg toasty

Need to test temps under load tbh and see whats it's really pushing out....

Prime · 30 Dec 2008 at 12:26

tweakinfreak said:
?? Got an external monitor plugged into my MBP, close the lid and it goes to sleep and monitor turns off?

I must need to change the settings under display? I suppose.... going to have a look now

It's a feature of OSX, where the macbook/pro has to go into standby mode first. You can then wake with an external keyboard/mouse taking it into clamshell mode. The usual Windows way where you can close the lid, switch the display off and leave things running doesn't work. Though you should open the lid while in clamshell mode to assist with cooling (above posts).

What you can do is power on the macbook/pro and then immediately close the lid with the external display attached. This should take it straight into clamshell mode so you don't need to power on, close the lid, wait for sleep then power on again.

Or you could turn the brightness down on the macbook screen and set the resolution.