How do I tell Lion to disable the LCD screen even when the lid is open?

ok i just tried that and the computer goes to sleep but I can not wake the external monitor with the BT keyboard even with the lid closed. Now i am starting to feel something is wrong, what do you think?

Oh my god I feel so stupid...I found out what it was...MY POWER CORD WASNT PLUGGED IN...I am so sorry for wasting your time on my stupid mistake....UHHHHHH....anyway do you think using a magnet (weak or strong) to put the computer to sleep can harm the computer in any way?

Ha, no problem. I do this kind of investigative IT work everyday! I should know to check the basics!

I did have an iBook repair which did exactly that symptom and I replaced the switch and it was fine. But it wasn't necessarily because of a magnet.

Regarding the lid: assuming both displays (the lid and external) are on, close the lid just far enough to have the system go to sleep. Wait ten seconds or so and then click on the mouse. The system should start the external display only. Then, finally, you can flip the lid open again and hopefully the display will not turn on. Anyway, that has worked for me and I hope it works for you.

@heinz153 - It sounds like you are describing how it works with Snow Leopard - please confirm?

I am on Lion with external display, when I follow your procedure the external display instantly becomes the primary display (laptop screen goes to sleep), the MacbookPro itself does not go to sleep. When I open the display again, both screens become active.

Also, I'm not sure who suggested to use a magnet - I would never do such a thing! If you did this, good luck dealing with Apple because I don't think they should have to cover this type of thing under warranty.

Just another little annoying thing because of the absence of this feature; my mouse keeps disappearing onto the other screen even though I've 'arranged' it with as little contact with the main screen as I can. It still seems to find the gap.. a bit like the Tron LightCycle game...

I among others suggested the magnet. Remember that a magnet in the case is already what makes this work normally when the lid is closed, so it is not like dropping a Mac in water. Today's hard drives are only impacted by very large gauss magnets, not refrigerator magnets. The hard drive cases are shielded. I suggested this because as a temporary workaround it simulates closing the lid without actually closing the lid. Your mileage may vary.

This is the problem. I am very concerned about my computer lasting a long time, and it won't staying really hot. I know the former president and owner of one of the largest bus companies in the country. He talked about planned obsolescense(spelling) to me. Does apple worry less about my computer lasting a long time than I do. Possibly!!

I want to mention a hidden benefit to having the computer closed. I recently broke my 13" air's screen and if I want it repaired its close to seven hundred dollars. Having the computer closed does protect the screen more, although on the 13 the back is not that strong. I'm using a new 11 Bc the lid feels stronger, and I rarely took the 13 places Bc the back felt so vulnerable. I also want to be able to leave it open though, so I can use the keyboard and Touch pad, especially away from home. I also think its bazarre to need a magnet. Maybe little keychain magnets need to come with every new laptop from now on. :-) :-(

Apple, please spend a little bit of that money to make your computers more durable!!!! They are fantastic in many ways, but they feel increasingly fragile, which is the opposite of what's needed. I'm only a yr with apple so I could be wrong about that, but it feels right.

Making money on repairs is poor business tactics if that plays a role as it often does. Many people watch a new apple user like me to see if they want to switch. They see a recent experience like mine and it doesn't help them to want to switch. Then they learn about the magnet and actually laugh and point and tell everyone else about it. Then you are the fool with the expensive apple. :-(((((

OMT Having anything like a magnet or pen on a laptop is risky. Anyone who doesn't see it, or if you forget, and it is closed then get ready to spend some money!!!!!!

If you are concerned about breaking your display use a flat flexible magnetic strip like this:

http://www.fridgedoor.com/12x30flexmag.html

I use something like that and it works great.

Interesting... I just opened the lid of my Lion MacBook with an external screen and it didn't auto-discover the laptop screen.

The only difference is that I left the lid closed so just the external screen was activated for a good 15 minutes or so, until the fans started to come on and hey presto... One Screen, lid open!

Now to see if I can replicate it!

I use a standing desk with my external display at eye level and my MBP at wrist/waist level. Therefore I do not have an external keyboard or mouse to trick it into only showing the display that I want. I played around with magnets trying to get it to work, but I couldn't get it to work, then I remembered that I spent $2500 on a computer and that using magnets on it to make it work properly is just ridiculous and got really upset at Apples arrogance on this matter.

Apple, just add a button that says "Use this display only" and my problem is solved. That would not take that many lines of code and you would please so many people! You are losing customers over 10 lines of code!

quert302: As others have repeatedly mentioned in this thread, Apple is not here, and you are not talking to Apple when you post here. If you want to make your voice heard by the right people at Apple, post your request here instead:

http://www.apple.com/feedback/macbookpro.html

eww wrote:

quert302: As others have repeatedly mentioned in this thread, Apple is not here, and you are not talking to Apple when you post here. If you want to make your voice heard by the right people at Apple, post your request here instead:

http://www.apple.com/feedback/macbookpro.html

Respectfully, that's not entirely accurate. Apple support has reportedly advised that this board is heavily monitored and we have also been asked to provide related feedback in the forum.

harmonica01 quoted Apple support as saying:

If you and others do believe this is in error, I strongly advise you all to create a thread with screenshots of temperatures and other evidence as you feel necessary.The apple discussion board is heavily monitored by our tech and other departments so a chance for future software updates that would accommodate what you feel is a missing feature in the new operating system may become possible."

The feedback form is obviously also another important way to advise Apple of our concerns - I'd suggest using the Lion feedback form as a more appropriate choice, given that this issue has arisen due to a change in the OS rather than the MBP - as well as continuing to post feedback in this thread.

http://www.apple.com/feedback/macosx.html