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

Thanks for this. I have just returned from 90 minutes session at Genius Bench at Apple going through a very thorough testing with final advice to do a clean reinstall of Lion. Seems clear that one could install it as many tie as you want but there is an inherent problem that has not yet filtered through to even the high level techies at APple. Magnet trick works well although sound still comes from laptop rather than external screen.

Go to sound preferences, If you're using an HDMI connection it can go out that way, just click HDMI.

Or just use a regular Analog signal to earphones or external speakers.

Thank you too. We just have to keep making clear to Apple this is a wanted feature. Maybe they'll end up implemeting it in the first update. It's becoming more and more clear to me how much I need this feature now that I don't have it anymore.

Linda: There is, as ever, no argument against a claim of fact based on information that can't be divulged. So if you have inside information about Apple's intentions that is subject to NDA, I have nothing further to say and no choice but to accept that Apple implemented a desirable feature in a remarkably uncharacteristic, illogical, cumbersome way, then eliminated it completely over the explicit objections of users. That's hard to swallow, but there it is.

I respect your comments -- and do understand them. As you have read, others feel we are way off topic. I respect that too. So I will not comment further on intentions except to say that I truly believe Apple was trying to make things easier and better. They knew some objected, but they weighed all things, and in their perspective they felt they made the right choice. However, I predict they can be swayed as they have been in many things over the years. We may end up with a switch, or something even easier. Either way, I will be happier than I am now. It may not show up in the next system rev or two, but I believe it will come soon. I have no information about their future plans on this.

Thanks.

My proof:

XBench test with my macbook open and 2 displays being powered:

XBench test with my macbook closed and only running one display:

I don't want to damage my display or my logic board! Please restore the open, off display!

Linda : Your posts are simply brilliant. Thank you! Are you a professionnal writer? If not, well, if I was Macworld, I would hire you right away. 🙂

Hmarc187 wrote:

Went back to Snow Leopard because of this issue. I got my Dell U2711 connected to my 15inch MBP Early 2011. I dont need another screen running, which is half the size of my Dell, its annoying.

Hmarc187 : How did you go back to Snow Leopard? Was it complicated? Could you do it through Time Machine? I considering this option as well. I would upgrade to Lion again (after all, I paid for it) after this issue is fixed. If you want, please share your experience.

As weird as it is, I use this mode so that I can save graphics card on my macbook while using aperture and still have the use of my keyboard, because I'm cheap and don't want to buy the wireless keyboard.

Hi Harry,

First, thank you for posting that. Nice work! 😉

A question for you: any thoughts what might be going on with the CPU coming in slower while running only one display? 😕

I generally use my macbook with the lid closed and an external monitor plugged in. Previously I never had much of a reason to open the lid, but with the new multitouch options in Lion, I'd like to have that trackpad available at times. My external display runs at a much higher resolution than the macbook, and I don't want to have it mirrored, so having the macbook display stay off is something I'd use.

skott: Let me put in a big plug for Apple's Magic Trackpad (and cordless Bluetooth keyboard, if you don't already have it) for your situation. This perfectly-matched pair of accessories gives you all the functions of the built-in trackpad, a much larger trackpad surface, and a more convenient trackpad location immediately to the right or left of the keyboard, if you want to stash your MBP out of the way (either open or closed). I use my MT and CK with my MBP in clamshell mode (closed) and 27" Apple cinema display, and it's a killer combination.

Subtle but important change to system behavior. I have the same complaints. The lack of Wi-Fi in clamshell mode was already a major disappointment. It's funny that we all want to go back to what was a workaround to begin with. I've never had the overheat problem, but now that two monitors are running I can hear the fans going crazy when I do the smallest things… Unless fixed, I think this behavior will shorten the life of our computers.

I think it's been established that we would like this option back in some form or other. Enough said.