Clamshell Mode - MBP getting too hot w/new TB Display

The MBP should be able to tolerate the heat. Most advanced electronic components have built-in sensors to detect overheating and reduce power dissipation. E.g. that could mean the CPU cannot run as fast as it would be able to at a lower temperature. However, fans at full speed are a nuisance (at least for me). Therefore I would recommend to use a notebook cooler. For the sake of completeness I'd like to add that the lifetime of most electronic components decreases with increased temperature. That shouldn't be a problem, though.

Mario

I encounter the same situation. The MacBook Pro is getting vey hot (at 60F room temp) since I close the lid while I connect it to Thunderbolt display. I put a very smal extrnal fan to cool it! It works!

Has anyone had any issues with their monitor after prolonged use of Clamshell Mode?

Same situation here. My MacBook Pro is getting about 55~60C in clamshell mode, i believe it's normal and the hardware was projected for this situation

The only thing I can add is that I'm seeing the exact same thing with the MBP in clamshell. The fan on my MBP runs MUCH more than it did prior to connecting it to the Thunderbolt Display. I heard the Display has fans as well but I haven't heard them running.

There doesn't seem to be any rogue processes running according to iStat Pro - But my MBP is definitely warm/hot and the fans are busy.

I hope this is something that gets fixed as it is annoying.

I'm guessing the fans are throttling up because the GPU is having to a lot more heavy lifting with the giant monitor and is heating up substantially.

The question I have is whether there's any difference in heat dissipation by having the lid closed. I can't see any technical reason why it should be.

I have MBP 15" early 2011 2.3 GHz i7 with 8 GB memory and the standard 750 GB drive. I use it in clamshell mode with the Thunderbolt display for hours photo editing with Aperture and Photoshop for hours. I have it standing vertical in a Twelve South Book Arc Stand beside my desk. While it gets pretty warm I never hear the fans run. Currently running at 1,999 RPMs and I have been at it for 3 hours.

Photo editing does not truly tax the GPU. Try using handbrake or watch a you tube video. You will then hear the fans.

The fan spins faster even when I open iPhoto! It just spins! 😕

I have a similar issue with my MBA i7 13" and TB display; fans are running at full speed a few minutes after I start 720p video playback (using VLC 1.1.12):

I'm also using the vertical stand in clamshell mode, positioning the exhaust at the top for better dissipation.

Same here. I have two thunderbolt displays connected to my MBP with the Twelve South Book Ark and it doesn't seem to get any hotter than when I had it connected to my 27" Apple displayport display.

Yes, it happens with Air + TD combination too!

Yes same problem to me too. I have my MacBook Pro 13" (early 2011) connected to Samsung SyncMaster 2233sw, and iStat Pro always shows the temperature of CPU is somwhere between 55-60 in cold weather and can even up to 75 degree celcius during hot day! I've tried to open up the lid in 90 degree and observed if there was any difference. However, the difference was only about 1-2 degree celcius cooler than closing up the lid. So I am guessing it is because of higher resolution that drives the GPU in CPU to get higher temperature. I am kinda worried about the hardwares. Even when you scroll over a long page in Safari will make the CPU temperature rise up to 75 degree celcius... That's horrible.