Mac in a drawer

jvidoza wrote:

Hi guys, i just wanted to simply ask if it would be safe to put my macbook in a drawer. It is just so i can take it away from my desk. I am a programmer so i do spend multiple amounts of hours on the computer. If any of you have other options, feel free to put them down below. Here is a picture of what it would look like:

It should not present a problem...but why is the lid open?

There are vastly differing opinions on this. If you run on power adapter as much as possible, then you're saving "cycles" of which your battery has limited amount of. Age will also take its toll on a battery, no matter the usage. Some people will recommend running the battery down about 75% at once a month to keep it "exercised" which Lithium Ion batteries do need, but Apple has built that in to their charging circuit; after charging to 100% the battery won't charge anymore until it runs down to about 95% (which will occur naturally over time even with it plugged in), then charge it back up to 100%, etc.

Apple doesn’t say there’s anything wrong with leaving your Mac notebook plugged in, nor do they say you need to discharge it ever (unless you’re not going to use your Mac portable long term) so they don’t think it’s a problem either: http://www.apple.com/batteries/maximizing-performance/

Mac notebooks: Operating temperature - Apple Support

Leaving any computer running in a closed drawer could cause irreparable damage.

The lack of ventilation or ducting, cooling fan inside the drawer;

this may present a problem after some time due to heat buildup.

And, as mentioned in previous reply, why is display lid open when

the external screen can run with the portable's lid closed (?)

If you have an inexpensive indoor-outdoor (wired or wireless) type

thermometer and place the outdoor sensor inside the drawer with

the portable computer, and close the door; this may show you a

few temperature rises and over some time, reasons to give it vents.

A vertical 'dock' may be useful for desktop placement of the Mac.

This brand has some that seem OK https://hengedocks.com/

Also there are cable adapter docks to help connect. re: OWC

The system Console log files generated may be helpful if the unit

chooses to 'hang' or odd effects due to heat. ~ Crash reports or

other logs (by time and date) may relate to sessions with portable

run inside a box. It may yearn to breathe free in the great outdoors.

Good luck & happy computing! 🙂

Hi,

No, it is not a good idea due to potential overheating, as previously mentioned. If you really do it, install a temperature monitor and check it out frequently, especially when you're running CPU/GPU intensive tasks. If it checks out ok after testing for a few days, then I guess I would be comfortable with it (until/unless the ambient temperature got hotter, then time to check again).

Temperature Monitoring apps:

http://www.bresink.com/osx/HardwareMonitor.html ($9.50)

or google for more

check a whole list of them: http://www.tomsguide.com/forum/all.html?refine=temperature+monitoring+free+app

or google for more

Hello jvidoza,

We have to ask why your putting it in the drawer and whether it needs to remain on. If it's on and in a closed space then heat will be an issue. Are you just trying to make space on your desk or are you trying to sleep while the computer is running? If sleep is the answer then I would suggest changing the settings so that the laptop doesn't sleep when the lid is closed.

It should not present a problem...but why is the lid open?

The MBP is on the desk, but my lid is open - why? Because I read that in order to use closed clamshell mode, the computer has to be plugged into power. Since this is an MBP and has a battery, I decided to use that (and therefore keep the lid open) for part of the day in order to use the battery.

So, what is your opinion: should I not be using the battery and keep it plugged it permanently?

babowa wrote:

So, what is your opinion: should I not be using the battery and keep it plugged it permanently?

Since I am not a MacBook Pro owner, I would be happy if my post was removed from this discussion. But at least I take comfort in the fact that it did spur some discussion. 😊

Sorry about that - I really asked because I've always wondered about why it needs to be plugged in while using clamshell mode. Maybe someone will chime in here with the answer.....