Always on processor: Do ssh and server functions still work on MacBook in clamshell mode?

[pruppert]

I recall hearing the M1 processor is ”always on” and that this allows the MacBook to wake instantly when opening from clamshell mode. I’m wondering if this also means the MacBook is accessible via SSH or if server software (Plex, web server software) on the MacBook will still serve content if the MacBook is in clamshell and not conected to power. Has anyone tried this?

 

[snakes-]

If i close the lid in battery mode my external monitor goes dark. After clicking the mouse it keeps dark and there cut my wired lan connection.

To let run server solutions even in battery/clamshell mode is my advice to modify the power management with terminal commands or use something like amphetamine to prevent sleep or something else.

I hope some updates in the future will give us more settings for the battery mode/powermanagement.
If i let the lid open, all works fine (with the settings display always on) and i can remote access even in battery mode.
my power management is unmodified.

i searched the web too for information about this "always on prozessor" but found no information or specification. maybe this only means you can let the system run without a restart or shutting down. marketing only?

 

[Internaut]

I've only ever had clamshell mode work when plugged into a power source, on both my MBP 2015 and the M1 MBA.

 

[MK500]

On my 2015 MacBook you could just tell it not to sleep while charging in settings. Then the screen would turn off when in clamshell but you could still connect to it via ssh or screen sharing and it would be running. I used to use this to run stock market charting software all day and be able to view/interact from my iPad.

System Preferences -> Battery -> Power Adapter -> Prevent computer from sleeping when the display is off (checked)

This has always only been an option while charging; not on battery.

[Edit] This seems to be acting differently on my M1 Air. I can still SSH in, and it appears to continue to run my apps, but I cannot seem to access it via Screen Sharing unless I open the lid. I have a market app that lists each transaction and I can see it continues to update; as there are many transactions per minute. But I wonder why I cannot Screen Share. Hmmm...

 

[pruppert]

On my 2015 MacBook you could just tell it not to sleep while charging in settings. Then the screen would turn off when in clamshell but you could still connect to it via ssh or screen sharing and it would be running. I used to use this to run stock market charting software all day and be able to view/interact from my iPad.

System Preferences -> Battery -> Power Adapter -> Prevent computer from sleeping when the display is off (checked)

This has always only been an option while charging; not on battery.

[Edit] This seems to be acting differently on my M1 Air. I can still SSH in, and it appears to continue to run my apps, but I cannot seem to access it via Screen Sharing unless I open the lid. I have a market app that lists each transaction and I can see it continues to update; as there are many transactions per minute. But I wonder why I cannot Screen Share. Hmmm...

Thanks. Yes, this is the scenario I was curious about. I wondered if since this M1 MacBooks had such great battery life could they effectively serve as a local server while stashed in my backpack, and I could interact with it from my iPad. This sounds like a no since it would not be plugged in.

 

[MK500]

Thanks. Yes, this is the scenario I was curious about. I wondered if since this M1 MacBooks had such great battery life could they effectively serve as a local server while stashed in my backpack, and I could interact with it from my iPad. This sounds like a no since it would not be plugged in.

Yeah. I just tested this for you. I ssh'd in to the M1 Air and ran top. Then I shut the Air. After a few seconds top stopped and I cannot ssh in anymore.

It would be cool if we could somehow reverse engineer the "Prevent computer from sleeping when the display is off" setting and add it to the Battery menu instead of only being available under "Power Adapter".

I also would like this feature. I'm sure the Air would make a great low power backpack server. Would probably run a simple web server for days on that big battery.

 

[snakes-]

update forget the tools and apps here is the fix you need.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/clamshell-mode.2270100/post-29383106