iMac; iPad; iPhone; iPod, Mac OS X (10.6.5)
I have a mid-2011 MacBook Air...
When I attach an external monitor, and close the lid, the system does not sleep. It switches to single monitor with the external as primary. So maybe since the original post, things have changed? Dunno. Works this way with any monitor connected to thunderbolt port, whether directly or through adapters (hdmi, vga, etc.)
As far as using it as an iPod... ie, closed the lid and it keeps running/playing iTunes/etc., no luck. I even tried pressing a key (with a toothpick) through the closed top to "wake it up" after closing it, but that's pointless as iTunes stops playing anyway when it sleeps and does not resume playing when it wakes. So sorry, no help for that question.
I've only had it a year and a half, but the behavior of the lid, secondary monitor, etc. is way smarter than my previous laptops which often got "lost" (which monitor or keyboar do I use?) or dramatically overheated. (Sony, IBM Thinkpad) Not to mention the ease of use (one cable versus three or more)... so not to be accused of being a fanboy, mine works much better than expected.
Hello MacDizzaddy!
Good news, i hope! I have a 15" macbook pro running 10.6.8 and I downloaded the app NoSleep for Mac. I have only just downloaded it, but i tested it out and it worked!
Itunes wouldn't play sound at first but I closed the lid reopened it and have had no problems since. I'm thinking it was a one off problem having to do with my mac.
Makes a quick on/off button on the top bar.
Here's the link:
https://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/37991/nosleep
Using it while sanding my room 🙂
I don't know if this is what you're looking for but I have found the solution that works for me!
In my case, I wanted to move the default screen off my macbook pro and onto an external monitor.
1. Make sure the external monitor is plugged in as well as your POWER SUPPLY.
2. Once the external monitor is working, simply close the lid on your macbook and it will move your default screen to the external monitor!
Amazing!
punpanonicus wrote:
I just want this because I travel by train a lot and I wanted to be able to close my computer in my bag and leave the music playing in my headphones. So I dont have to have the computer open on a train when I have no need to. This way I could simply listen to music like if it was a huge iPod 🙂
Please Help. InsomniaX doesnt keep the mac from sleeping when fully closed. At least the music stops... and when I open it its all black.
The words in this comment, "in my bag", really raised my eyebrows. It illustrates the very reason that Apple never intended the computer to be operated in this manner. The problem is that the MacBook air is not primarily a media player, it is a computer. A computer with a high-speed processor and supporting electronics that have to kept within a tolerable heat range at all times by the proper functioning of fan and proper airflow. If anyone were to actually make software to circumvent basic protection of the system, I could see how customers of said software would run into some very risky situations.
Apple designed the computer to be able to function with the lid closed(Clamshell mode), insofar as it also is made to function in a manner wherein the computer would also be operating in a clear environment with the ability to cool itself. That is, the user is far less likely to submit the computer to stifling conditions (in a bag), if he/she also has to have a keyboard attached to wake it after lid closure. Simply put, the computer should never be actually running while it is encased...period.
sarahb112 wrote:
I think I'm looking for the same thing. I just want to be able to close the lid without being signed out from Skype or without stopping a download or whatever.
I tried Caffeine and it doesn't work. I also tried InsomniaX but I don't want the screen to stay on!
I have the same issue - my solution is to set one of my hot corners of my trackpad to turn off display. This way, I just slide my finger to the bottom left corner, and my display turns off, and my computer becomes password protected, but music keeps playing, etc.
My question is: does the computer enter a full sleep when I close the lid? AKA is closing my lid and pressing option, command, eject the same thing? Or clicking the Apple in the menu bar and clicking sleep?
While i had my 2008 macbook running windows 8 i had it connected to an external monitor with a wireless keyboard and mouse, so i just had it closed on my desk with it set to do nothing when the lid was closed when it was plugged in. Over time what u discovered is that if i was running heavy applications that the fan would get extremely loud and the laminate on my desk would start melting a little, eventually it would just overheat and turn off. I think that because the intake for the fan in in the keyboard that when the lid is closed the fan cannot pull nearly as much air in as it needs, therefore raising tempuratures and decreasing the lifespan of the hardware.
Apple usualy goes through lots of testing with there hardware and the reason they dont allow you to keep it on and closed is for this reason.
Windows 8 did not run worth a crap on my macbook so im now running Mac OS X 10.7 and everything seems to be working better.
...Don't understand why people are recommending this...
"Clamshell mode" is designed to use a notebook computer as a replacement desktop computer. Meaning you have a external monitor, keyboard and mouse.
...This way I could simply listen to music like if it was a huge iPod....
Unfortunately, an external keyboard and mouse are required for clamshell mode. While I suppose you could take a keyboard and mouse with you, I assume you don't want the added bulk.
Close lid, do nothing
