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Hummin

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Oct 1, 2006
17
0
wondering if the macbook is usable (for many hours) in clamshell mode ,
lid closed and external monitor + keyboard.

it' has heat problem due to the closed lid or still usable with no problems ?

thanks a lot if any user experimented that

bye
 

orangemacapple

macrumors 6502
Sep 1, 2006
442
0
Raleigh
i leave mine plugged into a dell 24" (1920x1200) most all of the time unless i'm going somewhere and need my mb with me. sometimes it'll go for most of a week just in clamshell mode (mostly on and some sleep).

works beautifully!
 

alexprice

macrumors 6502a
Jan 8, 2005
646
3
I wouldn't, most of the air intake is through the keyboard. Close the lid will cover the keyboard.
 

blackscooby

macrumors 6502
May 12, 2005
274
0
Cheshire, UK
Mines been running like that for a couple of weeks now.
No issues. CPU temp of 60C. Yes the keyboard is warm... but nothing more than warm. Heat vents through rear slots.
 

micsaund

macrumors 6502
May 31, 2004
364
0
Colorado, USA
Works fine for me. I connect to my desktop LCD and keyboard for weekend-long use with the lid shut. No problems and the fan stays at the normal levels.
 

mashinhead

macrumors 68040
Oct 7, 2003
3,003
989
I just got an acd how do i set the computer to work in clamshell mode, and can i set it so it recognizes that it should run in clamsehll mode only when it's connected to the acd and sleep mode when not?
 

phungy

macrumors 68020
Dec 5, 2006
2,398
10
FL/NY/TX
I just got an acd how do i set the computer to work in clamshell mode, and can i set it so it recognizes that it should run in clamsehll mode only when it's connected to the acd and sleep mode when not?

Just close the lid to make it sleep. Then wake it up via a wireless keyboard or mouse, BAM! its in clamshell mode.

I wouldn't, most of the air intake is through the keyboard. Close the lid will cover the keyboard.

The air vents out from the back, not through the keyboard so it's okay to use the macbook in clamshell mode.
 

mashinhead

macrumors 68040
Oct 7, 2003
3,003
989
so can i use the cd drive with it in clamshell? also the color on my display, i did by it used i think its the old revision, looks a little saturated and grainy.

I used to have a twenty that was the old reviison, but i don't remember it looking like this, maybe the mb display has spoiled me.

also where do you go to check the serial number of the product to see if it is still eligible for applecare?
 

bibbyjai

macrumors newbie
Dec 28, 2006
9
0
So basically it's fine to close the clamshell, watch movies running the DVD rom for 3-4 hrs STRAIGHT...it should be fine right?
 

greenparty

macrumors newbie
Jan 10, 2007
13
0
while you're on the subject, my temperature widgets and activity monitor show a blank on the temperature indicator. I haven't been able to find out what the temperature is of my cpu since i got the macbook 2 weeks ago. Is this a problem I should be worried about?
 

ForeverUnknown

macrumors regular
Dec 30, 2006
128
0
while you're on the subject, my temperature widgets and activity monitor show a blank on the temperature indicator. I haven't been able to find out what the temperature is of my cpu since i got the macbook 2 weeks ago. Is this a problem I should be worried about?
What widget are you using?

Try SMCFanControl for temps.
 

Elphaba

macrumors regular
Jun 4, 2006
106
0
Hmm, well I kinda have some bad news :(

I use my macbook in clamshell mode, along with my 19'' monitor. Tonight I was cleaning my screen and there seems to be a tiny gap between the case and the screen on the left hand corner. It's as if the plastic is bending up because of the heat, and separating from the screen. It might be hard to notice at first, but you're able to see it if you tilt the screen.

Has this happened to anyone else? and also, what can I do to fix this problem? :eek:
 

siurpeeman

macrumors 603
Dec 2, 2006
6,321
24
the OC
i've been running in clamshell mode since i bought it last month. every now and then i'll open the lid just to make sure everything's working.
 

orangemacapple

macrumors 6502
Sep 1, 2006
442
0
Raleigh
Hmm, well I kinda have some bad news :(

I use my macbook in clamshell mode, along with my 19'' monitor. Tonight I was cleaning my screen and there seems to be a tiny gap between the case and the screen on the left hand corner. It's as if the plastic is bending up because of the heat, and separating from the screen. It might be hard to notice at first, but you're able to see it if you tilt the screen.

Has this happened to anyone else? and also, what can I do to fix this problem? :eek:

sounds like it may be an apple store problem.
since it is so small and you really have to look for it, could it have been there before and not be a clamshell effect?
 

Elphaba

macrumors regular
Jun 4, 2006
106
0
sounds like it may be an apple store problem.
since it is so small and you really have to look for it, could it have been there before and not be a clamshell effect?

I'm pretty sure this happened because I was using it in clamshell mode. I've only been using it in clamshell mode for two weeks, and I worried about the heat being so close to the screen. It's a small gap but still very annoying. Oh and what do you mean this is an apple store problem? :eek:
 

orangemacapple

macrumors 6502
Sep 1, 2006
442
0
Raleigh
I'm pretty sure this happened because I was using it in clamshell mode. I've only been using it in clamshell mode for two weeks, and I worried about the heat being so close to the screen. It's a small gap but still very annoying. Oh and what do you mean this is an apple store problem? :eek:

just that if your mb is melting, you should take it into the apple store for diagnostics and repair. it's obviously not normal for your mb to melt while in an authorized mode. clamshell mode is a supported feature that shouldn't do any harm to your mb, so if it's melting your mb there is something definitely wrong with either your logic board or battery or powerbrick.
 

Elphaba

macrumors regular
Jun 4, 2006
106
0
just that if your mb is melting, you should take it into the apple store for diagnostics and repair. it's obviously not normal for your mb to melt while in an authorized mode. clamshell mode is a supported feature that shouldn't do any harm to your mb, so if it's melting your mb there is something definitely wrong with either your logic board or battery or powerbrick.

Oh ok, thanks. I'll try to go tonight, hopefully they'll be able to help me :)
 

mashinhead

macrumors 68040
Oct 7, 2003
3,003
989
i've been running in clamshell mode since i bought it last month. every now and then i'll open the lid just to make sure everything's working.

was this with a macbook or a mbpro cause those aluminum cases warp all th time. My macbook gets so hot that it started to chip the finish on the desk where i put it, albeit an ikea desk, but still. I don't know if i want a faster processor anymore, i might have to travel with a fire extinguisher too.;)
 
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