14" + clamshell mode best compromise?

[nquinn]

How have the M1 based devices done in clamshell mode?

I hate combining an open laptop with external monitors because I can never get a layout that I like. Either the monitors are offset, or the laptop screen blocks the monitor directly in front of you.

1. Any issues with clamshell mode? Overheating, etc? Mostly would just want 1 large 24-27" monitor attached via TB
2. Has anyone combined the new ($150) magic keyboard with touchID with the new macbooks? Would need to solve that.
3. I believe there are still no wireless mice using a USB-C RF tranmistter, so would be stuck with a bluetooth mouse or a mouse with the giant USB-A > C adapter?

 

[NewUsername]

1. I almost always use my M1 MacBook Air in clamshell mode with a 27" inch monitor; no issues whatsoever. Note that clamshell mode only works if your laptop is being charged at the same time though. This caused me a lot of confusion in the beginning.

2. I have the new Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and I use it with the MacBook Air and it works great, though it is of course really overpriced. But hey, it’s my money so I spend it how I want to spend it.

3. I use the USB-A port in my monitor for that (monitor is connected with USB-C). Mouse is just a normal wired mouse though, even though I have the wireless Magic Keyboard. I also have a Magic Mouse from an old iMac of mine but I hardly ever use it because it is an awful mouse imho.

 

[nquinn]

1. I almost always use my M1 MacBook Air in clamshell mode with a 27" inch monitor; no issues whatsoever. Note that clamshell mode only works if your laptop is being charged at the same time though. This caused me a lot of confusion in the beginning.

2. I have the new Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and I use it with the MacBook Air and it works great, though it is of course really overpriced. But hey, it’s my money so I spend it how I want to spend it.

3. I use the USB-A port in my monitor for that (monitor is connected with USB-C). Mouse is just a normal wired mouse though, even though I have the wireless Magic Keyboard. I also have a Magic Mouse from an old iMac of mine but I hardly ever use it because it is an awful mouse imho.

Thanks! Aware of the plug-in requirement but that's not an issue. Monitor needs to be plugged in anyway

Have you compared temperatures of your M1 in clamshell vs open mode to see if it causes it to run a lot hotter?

 

[baummer]

Sounds like you need a bigger desk

 

[nquinn]

Sounds like you need a bigger desk

Not really, even with a bigger desk it would just mean pushing the monitors farther back. It's just not the same as having a large single monitor directly in front of you at all.

 

[baummer]

Not really, even with a bigger desk it would just mean pushing the monitors farther back. It's just not the same as having a large single monitor directly in front of you at all.

I understand. I have a desk that is 60" long by 30" deep. I have a 34" wide screen monitor in the middle, and a 16" Intel MBP to the left of it that I primarily use to keep the calendar app open on to use for other things when on Zoom calls with full screen sharing. Pretty good balance for me.

 

[nquinn]

I understand. I have a desk that is 60" long by 30" deep. I have a 34" wide screen monitor in the middle, and a 16" Intel MBP to the left of it that I primarily use to keep the calendar app open on to use for other things when on Zoom calls with full screen sharing. Pretty good balance for me.

Right, but also using a wireless keyboard and mouse as well since the laptop is offset right?

 

[AVBeatMan]

When using in clamshell mode do you have the MacBook on a stand placed flat down or vertical like the twelve south stand?

 

[AVBeatMan]

1. I almost always use my M1 MacBook Air in clamshell mode with a 27" inch monitor; no issues whatsoever. Note that clamshell mode only works if your laptop is being charged at the same time though. This caused me a lot of confusion in the beginning.

2. I have the new Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and I use it with the MacBook Air and it works great, though it is of course really overpriced. But hey, it’s my money so I spend it how I want to spend it.

3. I use the USB-A port in my monitor for that (monitor is connected with USB-C). Mouse is just a normal wired mouse though, even though I have the wireless Magic Keyboard. I also have a Magic Mouse from an old iMac of mine but I hardly ever use it because it is an awful mouse imho.

Can you recommend a good wired mouse? (I have to use them for my work for security reasons).

 

[joelypolly]

I don't recommend using the 14" in clamshell mode. When I use mine in clamshell mode it heats up a lot more because the thermal system is really not designed to be used that way.

 

[AVBeatMan]

I don't recommend using the 14" in clamshell mode. When I use mine in clamshell mode it heats up a lot more because the thermal system is really not designed to be used that way.

So do you/can you connect to a monitor and leave it open?

 

[davedirect]

I don't recommend using the 14" in clamshell mode. When I use mine in clamshell mode it heats up a lot more because the thermal system is really not designed to be used that way

Does it really affect the cooling significantly? I thought it pulled air through the side slots and out the back?

 

[CosmoPilot]

I don't recommend using the 14" in clamshell mode. When I use mine in clamshell mode it heats up a lot more because the thermal system is really not designed to be used that way.

Apple specifically allows clamshell mode...therefore it is in fact designed to operate in that capacity. I use my new 14" MBP in clamshell mode with the new Dell U4021QW display. Absolutely no problems whatsoever. These new MBPs don't heat up much at all compared to my Intel MBP in clamshell mode. Even those Intel models worked fine...though warmer indeed.

 

[nquinn]

I don't recommend using the 14" in clamshell mode. When I use mine in clamshell mode it heats up a lot more because the thermal system is really not designed to be used that way.

Could you share some typical temperatures you're seeing with iStats and when it's doing a few things in clamshell?

1. Just watching youtube vp9/av1 4k videos
2. Video encoding
3. Games
4. Xcode compilation

Anything like that. Could also try using iStats to set the fans to ramp up to 2000rpm if temps are > 55 to 60c or so to keep it a bit cooler. (I setup my 16" mbp to do that to keep my lap a bit cooler)

 

[bill-p]

I don't recommend using the 14" in clamshell mode. When I use mine in clamshell mode it heats up a lot more because the thermal system is really not designed to be used that way.

I don't know if it's the M1 Max, or if something is going on with your 14", but I don't see this with my 14" M1 Pro.

I've used mine in clamshell for 50% of my usage every single day for over a month now. There is no extra heat for my 14" in clamshell.

In fact, the fan doesn't even turn on most of the time. Not even when I have the following apps running concurrently:
Capture One Pro
iMovie
Fusion 360

I can only get the fan to whir very softly at 2000RPM when I try to run StarCraft 2 at 4K.

 

[richinaus]

I don't know if it's the M1 Max, or if something is going on with your 14", but I don't see this with my 14" M1 Pro.

I've used mine in clamshell for 50% of my usage every single day for over a month now. There is no extra heat for my 14" in clamshell.

In fact, the fan doesn't even turn on most of the time. Not even when I have the following apps running concurrently:
Capture One Pro
iMovie
Fusion 360

I can only get the fan to whir very softly at 2000RPM when I try to run StarCraft 2 at 4K.

Same here. Run it in clamshell in the studio 100% of the time, no issues and similar apps to you [lightroom, fusion 360, shapr3D etc]
I have 2 different monitors I hook it up to without a hitch.

Also swapping between my PC and MBP with the Logitech MX mouse and keyboard is seamless. Great set up.

Edit - I am using M1 Max. doesn't feel overly hot when in clamshell to me, but I come from a 2019 16" MBP

 

[nquinn]

Same here. Run it in clamshell in the studio 100% of the time, no issues and similar apps to you [lightroom, fusion 360, shapr3D etc]
I have 2 different monitors I hook it up to without a hitch.

Also swapping between my PC and MBP with the Logitech MX mouse and keyboard is seamless. Great set up.

Edit - I am using M1 Max. doesn't feel overly hot when in clamshell to me, but I come from a 2019 16" MBP

It's also possible the fans are coming on more often than if open, but you may not notice if they just hover around 1500-2000rpm which is nearly silent. If you leave istat open you could watch this compared to non-clamshell

 

[throAU]

How have the M1 based devices done in clamshell mode?

Mine does fine in clamshell mode.

However, if you're going to use the thing in clamshell mode most of the time you may as well get a 16" for the better cooling and availability of "high power mode".

 

[joelypolly]

I think its partly the vent design which exhausts air both above and below the screen. If you turn you Mac to the side you can see 3 exhausts that blow the air across the top of the display and 3 separate exhausts that blow it under the hinge mechanism. So by closing the laptop into clamshell mode you are blocking 50% of the vents.


I drive my XDR using my 14" and it is quite noticeable when doing anything GPU intensive for extended periods of time. I'll do some more testing over the next few days and update this thread.

 

[throAU]

The other thing about running in clamshell is that you give up that gorgeous screen.

I mean if you've got some ProDisplay XDRs hooked up to it, fine... but if not its likely the best screen you own, unless you're the type to spend 5-10k plus on a monitor.

 

[lotzosushi]

I've been afraid to put my MacBook Pros in clamshell mode after I had to replace my old TouchBar 16" MBP's battery TWICE due to swelling up in long-term clamshell mode... I wonder if the M1's will be any better.

 

[vinsalducci]

I use my 14in MBP in clamshell mode a great deal, and have had no issues. I will agree with a previous poster, however, that my external monitor is nowhere near as beautiful to look at and work on as the MBP monitor is. I also have really come to like the keyboard. I actually prefer it to the Magic Keyboard I use with clamshell mode.

 

[richinaus]

The other thing about running in clamshell is that you give up that gorgeous screen.

I mean if you've got some ProDisplay XDRs hooked up to it, fine... but if not its likely the best screen you own, unless you're the type to spend 5-10k plus on a monitor.

As I mentioned above somewhere, check out the HP Z27 G3. Super nice monitor and a good price - I use them all day every day for studio work [design / CAD / Rendering etc]. This with the MBP in clamshell mode hooked up on the USB to the monitor [for charging] - seems to work very well.

 

[ascender]

Only issue I have is that occasionally I have to open the lid of the laptop to get the screen to wake. That's been an issue for as long as we've had displays connected over thunderbolt 3 though.

 

[AVBeatMan]

Only issue I have is that occasionally I have to open the lid of the laptop to get the screen to wake. That's been an issue for as long as we've had displays connected over thunderbolt 3 though.

I had that problem with my 13" M1 but so far not been a problem with my 14".