Harm the screen by running MBP closed?

[BugsBunny]

I had a friend at school who was able to run his MBP on his big TV with a wireless keyboard/mouse setup while keeping the laptop closed next to the tv (or other external monitor).

First off, how do you do that without having the computer sleep on you...and second, someone told me that because of the heat coming off the laptop, it could damage the screen if you had it closed like that.

How do you do the first? And is the second true?

Thanks!

 

[Kan-O-Z]

From what I understand, the first one is done by making sure the power cable is connected. If the power is not connected, the MBP will always go to sleep from my understanding. Now once the power is connected, there may be some additional settings to keep the MBP on while lid is closed.

The second question has been discussed often. First I would like to note that Apple DOES have instructions on how to operate MBP in lid closed mode. I don't think Apple would do this if this were unsafe for the product. Secondly the newer MBP SR have less heat problems than the previous gen. The heat escapes the back and not through the top so hopefully closing the lid doesn't cause any harm. Note: I am going to run my MBP like this as well so I want to hear from others.

I think it's more important to keep your MBP on a good surface(clean, firm, flat, cool surface) and elevated if possible (on a stand). I think this helps keep the MBP cool.

Kan-O-Z

 

[aphexacid]

It normally cant be done. i think there may be a hack of some kind to make it not sleep when you close the lid, but it sucks in air from where the hinge is.
not recommended

 

[oscillik]

It normally cant be done. i think there may be a hack of some kind to make it not sleep when you close the lid, but it sucks in air from where the hinge is.
not recommended

actually it CAN normally be done, as a previous poster has already noted - Apple officially supports the use of the MacBook Pro with the lid closed (in fact they have supported this since the Aluminium PowerBooks).

all you need to do is make sure that you're plugged into the mains supply, then either use a wired keyboard and mouse, or pair your bluetooth keyboard and mouse, then plug in your external monitor / TV to the DVI port.

close the lid, and the Mac will go to sleep. then press a key on your keyboard or click the mouse, and it will wake up and you'll be able to use the machine in Lid Closed mode.

 

[galstaph]

It normally cant be done. i think there may be a hack of some kind to make it not sleep when you close the lid, but it sucks in air from where the hinge is.
not recommended

You're thinking of the iBook...

As posted you can run a mbp in clamshell, just as you could powerbooks. Plug in your external monitor and the computer knows it is there so it will not go to sleep unless the power is disconnected (or you have a setting for it to sleep)
easy as hooking up the monitor and peripherals