Can I user both MacBook and Studio display at the same time while they are connected?

Ellie2197 wrote:

I have read into using my macbook and the display together, but appearently M3 chip macbooks need to be closed in order for the display to work, is this true?

I am not sure where you heard that but it is not true. You can if you desire use an external display with the MacBook closed if you have an external keyboard, mouse or trackpad but it is not required.

You can use any display including the Studio Display the MacBook open. In this case you can have two separate displays (extended mode) or you can just simply mirror the MacBook display to the external display.

The only time you are required to close the MacBook Air M3 is if you want to use two external displays.

Ellie2197 wrote:

Please can someone clarify using my MacBook M3 with the studio display.

I have read into using my macbook and the display together, but appearently M3 chip macbooks need to be closed in order for the display to work, is this true?

If you have a M3 MacBook Pro with the base M3 chip, you must close the lid in order to attach a second external display. The base chip only supports two active video outputs, total, so in order to drive that second display, you must close the lid, and free up the resources that would otherwise be used on the built-in screen.

If you have a single external monitor, there is no need to close the lid. You can use the built-in screen at the same time as the external one.

The M3 Pro and M3 Max chips have more display support, and MacBook Pros using these chips can drive two (M3 Pro) or more (M3 Max) external displays with the lid open.

I work in a sector that requires large amounts of reading and writting/typing, so have a display screen and being able to type on my MacBook would be perfect. Being able to read a document on the display whilst typing up documents on my macbook is best for my job, can I use both at the same time or is it true that my macbook needs to have the lid closed. I would like to know now before investing in the studio display as it will be pointless otherwie.

It sounds like you are only planning to use one external display, and can keep the lid open.

If you were in a situation (base M3 chip, two external displays) where you had to close the lid, you would need to plug in an external keyboard and pointing device to make up for not having access to the built-in ones.