Can iTunes play with lid closed?

If I have to keep the MacBook open to keep running iTunes, wouldn't I run the same risk of BURNING (like you said)?

No, it would not be the same risk since keeping the cover open should help prevent it from overheating. If it does overheat and damage the computer while the lid is open, it should be covered by warranty.
-> Apple Portables: How to use your computer in closed clamshell (display closed) mode with an external display
"You can use your MacBook in lid closed mode if the computer is connected to an external display, keyboard, and mouse."
Suggestions here -> Apple Product Feedback

Just throwing in my 2c in case anybody else stumbles upon this thread...

Firstly, Apple clearly documents that clamshell mode is supported, therefore there will be no "burning" of computers or voiding of warranties:
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3131

Secondly, you don't need to have a mouse and keyboard attached prior to closing your laptop, nor do you need to install any other software to trigger clamshell mode. Simply plugging in any USB device will wake your laptop from sleep, and since it is closed, it will go into clamshell mode.

In the OP's scenario, you could have iTunes open with the desired playlist, track and AirPort Express selected, close your laptop to put it to sleep, plug in a USB keyboard (which will wake up the laptop into clamshell mode) and press enter/return to start playing, then unplug the keyboard if you desire (you can then open the laptop and use the built-in keyboard without aborting clamshell mode).

this should be user-customizable feature, not Apple-enforced decision.

If Apple were to allow it with a setting and the user burned up the computer, then it would have to be covered under warranty, which it isn't.

You can indeed play iTunes with the lid closed; it's just that the system will automatically sleep when you close the screen and you have to wake it back up. There are two ways:

1) have an external monitor, keyboard and mouse connected. You can then wake the system from the keyboard.

2) I've been told that if you run Front Row before you close the lid, you can use an Apple Remote to wake the system and play iTunes. Not having a MacBook I haven't tried this myself, nor do I know if this will work with Airtunes.

Is it still the case that with Macbooks not, you're not supposed to run with laptop closed, external keyboard and monitor?? It works by default now, whereas I can recall having lots of issues with the Powerbook G4 when I tried.

My only problem is this: normally a Macbook won't go to sleep if media (Quicktime/iTunes) is playing. With this external display setup, and the laptop's own display off, this is not the case. So I play Beethoven's 3th symphony, go to read, and halfway through, the music stops, because the laptop decided to sleep.

Anyone know a way around this issue?

Update to my previous post, I think it's a non-issue on Apple's end.

(Here's why: my speakers are my monitor, ie, I have an audio out to my monitor, which has speakers and audio in. So when my macbook puts my monitor to sleep, this also ends its ability to do its audio functions. Maybe that's natural for monitor speakers. Maybe ASUS *****. Either way, not an OSX/Macbook issue, I think)

Chris CA,

Can you explain to me what the difference for overheating is,
When I play itunes 24/7 in two situations

1- when an external display, keyboard and mouse are connected, and the lid is closed.
2- when nothing is connected, and the lid is closed.

Because in the first situation, itunes keeps playing, and in the second is stops playing because that situation could overheat.... And that, while in my view, the macbook has to do the same thing. Or do you think the sceens backlighting would stay on with the lid closed without a display attached?

Parently, Mac is the only supplier of notebooks that have this issue (because that's what it is)

the overheating problem comes from the fact that most on the ventilation (older macbooks, i don't know about actual ones, although i think the same applies) on the macbooks come from the keyboard holes. yes you read that right. so when you close the lid and it is running, it does the same work, with much less fresh air.

Lid open? the macbook should be able to run with lid closed..I can do it with Windows laptop. Id like to use my laptop as a media server connected to my system to play dvd/cds and itunes. Insomniax doesnt work at all on 10.5.8.

It is a reasonable expectation to be able to use the laptop with lid closed on a network.

I felt compelled to add my input to this thread as I had the same issue at the start. Why do people ask "why do you want to do this" in a forum question.. I don't know why! But there are many reasons why people want to operate the MacBook with the screen closed and in this thread its so we can use the device as a media server and don't want the computer open or out on show. For me its so I can stream music to the garden and not have to worry about my 2 year old running in the house and touching/knocking over my MacBook.

As for the overheating issue. I am not sure why people are going off thread talking about Apple warranty; by all means highlight the initial Apple concern, but its a computer run off SW you can code it to do anything, which includes being able to stay on with the lid closed and achieve the same heating parameters as if an external screen was connected, you just need to write the correct code or in Apple's case see the need to write the code.

The bottom line is if the lid is closed and the screen is turned off, for what we are trying to do in this thread, you are in a no worse situation than when the lid is closed and connected to an external screen. I followed the link for InsomniaX and it works brilliantly. If you are worried about overheating change "Display Sleep" to 1 min in Energy Saver in System Preferences. Thus your additional exposure over the apple allowed process with external screen is only 1 minute each time, failing that use the brightness (F1) and turn the screen off before you close the lid.

Or am I missing something.....I am sure you will let me know.

"+The bottom line is if the lid is closed and the screen is turned off, for what we are trying to do in this thread, you are in a no worse situation than when the lid is closed and connected to an external screen+."

I'd have to agree. The stuff about overheating with the lid down and warranty is bunkum.

The current and recent Macbook Pros are designed to run closed and attached to an Apple Cinema Display. That's how you are supposed to use it with an external display.

It's going to produce heat running closed attached to a display or not. And in most cases it's probably going to produce more heat while attached to the display.

In this particular case the questioner wants it to play iTunes while it is running closed. That's not going to overtax the fans at all - which is probably the case with most other reasons for using the MBP closed and running but not attached to the display.

Yet while a MBP is attached to an external display (and with the case closed) it could be running Photoshop, Toast, Final Cut, playing a movie - (even all at the same time if you are lucky...) and plenty of other things that could easily have its processors running at full speed and the fans going like demons.

And with the massive sales of the Ipad there are more reasons to have the MBP running but closed (but with noexternal display) such as AirPrint via the MBP to a printer, the various adaptations of Airplay and similar etc. etc.

I think I understand this now. I've been looking into this issue since I had my G4 Powerbook and it is only today that it has become clear. The reason Macbook Pros are only designed to run lid closed when connected to an external display is to prevent human stupidity like mine!

I've been running mine lid closed hooked up to my home cinema no problem. I plug in the mini display port cable and off I go. Then I unplug it before putting the mac away in its sleeve. Yesterday I tried out the InsomniaX route with the screen powering off after 1 minute. Worked great for streaming music to my PS3. Only problem is, later on when I went out I forgot the **** thing was still on and popped it away in its sleeve.

I was out for a couple of hours and when I got home I eventually tuned into a whirring noise. It was coming from my laptop which was now doubling up as a hot water bottle! Some internal temperature gauges had reached 70 degrees C! Hopefully this is within its capability and I've not melted anything but it seems to be working ok.

So my conclusion is that Apple figured that if they restrict clamshell mode to when a display is connected then people are less likely to forgetful idiots and put their macs away while still running... like me!