Turn MacBook LCD off WITHOUT closing lid (with external display connected)

Question

Level 1

23 points

Turn MacBook LCD off WITHOUT closing lid (with external display connected)

I am looking for a way to work with a MacBook connected to an external display, and turning MacBook's LCD off *while the lid is still open*.

I have searched many place and did not find a solution which allowed keeping the lid open.

Following solutions do not work for me:
- *keeping lid closed* - I want to keep the lid open for cooling and sound reason. (I experimentally determined that keeping the lid open provides better cooling).
- *mirroring displays* - forces my external display into same resolution as MB, which is lower than the external display's native 1680x1050
- *dimming MacBook's LCD* - the GPU still has to render the extra screen space, and creates many problems with dragging objects around screen, spaces, etc.

Does anyone know of a way to turn the MB's LCD off via software?

Thank You,
Marcin

MacBook Intel Core Duo, 20" iMac Intel Core Duo, Mac OS X (10.5.7)

Posted on Jun 21, 2009 8:51 PM

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Answer 1

sdschramm

Level 3

525 points

Jun 22, 2009 3:02 PM in response to Marcin

There is an app called Sleep Display (also a widget) but I think it will also turn off your monitor.

The best thing you can do is to push the F1 key to turn the brightness all the way down until the backlight turns off and the screen goes blank.

Or, you can just shut your lid like everyone else and use it in clamshell mode.

These macbooks vent though the back near the hinge of the LCD. Having it open or closed does not make a difference. It is designed to be cooled EITHER way. As for the sound, that comes out the back as well, so opening the screen will not make it louder.

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Answer 2

Marcin Author

Level 1

23 points

Jun 26, 2009 10:37 AM in response to sdschramm

Hello sdschramm,

Thank you for your suggestions.

Yes, I have tried all the options you mentioned, and my original post outlines reasons why each of them does not quite do the job. Indeed I might just have to stick with closing the lid (which is what I am doing now).

Let me add few explanations in regards to audio/heat.

Audio
The MacBook speakers are relatively quiet and often hard to hear. While the MB is on the side of my desk and not in front off me, I keep the volume at max and usually that is too quiet as is. With the speakers in the back and a closed lid, most of the sound energy travels away from me. An open lid serves as a sound reflector, thus more of the sound energy is projected towards me.

Heat
I noticed that the MB's fans were running much more than expected, so I did a test. While running a looong, compute intensive job, I've let it run for 10 minutes with the lid closed, and another 10 minutes with the lid open. Touching the bottom of the case, it was noticeably hotter after the 10 minutes with lid closed than with lid open.

I have also propped the two rear corners of the MB with 1cm pads, which noticeably reduced how often the fans turn on, thus improved cooling.

Cheers,
Marcin

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Answer 3

Lyssa

Level 8

41,405 points

Jun 26, 2009 10:40 AM in response to Marcin

Give BSteely's suggestion in this thread a try; perhaps that will do what you're looking for?

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2056418&tstart=15

~Lyssa

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Answer 4

Marcin Author

Level 1

23 points

Jun 26, 2009 10:51 AM in response to Lyssa

BSteely's solution is simply brilliant!

Thank You!
Marcin

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Answer 5

Lyssa

Level 8

41,405 points

Jun 26, 2009 1:16 PM in response to Marcin

Shame that the originator of the idea can't get credit this time around.

Thanks for the star & happy computing!

~Lyssa

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Answer 6

cpage76

Level 1

0 points

Jul 22, 2009 2:44 PM in response to Marcin

refer to my thread...

Topic : Bluetooth Device Not Waking Up Laptop in Closed Lid Mode

this will allow you to open your lid after starting the closed lid mode but nothing will display...it will be in constant sleep until you disconnnect you mini dvi cable.

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Answer 7

Jul 31, 2009 10:42 AM in response to sdschramm

Closed up, my Macbook gets much hotter than if I leave it slightly open. Hit 184 degrees this morning while I was bouncing a mix. I opened it about 3 inches and a bunch of heat came off the keyboard and the temp went down 25 degrees. YMMV.

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