MBA with external display

[mattpreston11]

Okay so Ive used my mba as my sole machine with an external display (+mm+KB) I have been using it in clamshell mode, however wifi sucks when in clamshell mode, so I have to run with the screen open.

But now I am forced into using dual monitors, This sucks..Any workaround?I know it is possible as I did it yesterday (by accident).

 

[sporadicMotion]

Okay so Ive used my mba as my sole machine with an external display (+mm+KB) I have been using it in clamshell mode, however wifi sucks when in clamshell mode, so I have to run with the screen open.

But now I am forced into using dual monitors, This sucks..Any workaround?I know it is possible as I did it yesterday (by accident).

Start the machine with both monitors open. Make sure a keyboard is connected. Close the laptop and it should go to sleep. Now wake it from the keyboard. After it's awake in clamshell mode, open the laptop.

The power has to be plugged in to do this. You can unplug the power after the lid is open with the internal display off.

 

[mattpreston11]

Start the machine with both monitors open. Make sure a keyboard is connected. Close the laptop and it should go to sleep. Now wake it from the keyboard. After it's awake in clamshell mode, open the laptop.

The power has to be plugged in to do this. You can unplug the power after the lid is open with the internal display off.

Brilliant! Works a treat. I rarely turn my mba off off (as many other I imagine) This also works when I sleep it like I usually do.

Might have to restart though everytime I unplug it from the monitor?

Also my external drives dont spin down as quickly (or at all) this way..

Anyway, works a treat.

 

[sporadicMotion]

Brilliant! Works a treat. I rarely turn my mba off off (as many other I imagine) This also works when I sleep it like I usually do.

Might have to restart though everytime I unplug it from the monitor?

Also my external drives dont spin down as quickly (or at all) this way..

Anyway, works a treat.

If you unplug it, it will automatically turn your internal display back on. Don't know about the external drives but don't see it being an issue

Glad it works for ya.

 

[soapsudz]

One way is to stick a fridge magnet on the lid sensor on the body. That way, the computer thinks the lid's always closed so you can run an external screen without powering up the built-in display.

I've gotten Windows drivers in Bootcamp to only use the external display but OS X drivers don't have this option.

 

[KnightWRX]

Why does dual monitor suck exactly ? Dual monitor gives you more screen space to throw windows on. I usually use the MBA's display for iTunes and the external for whatever I'm working on. I'd wish Apple would implement sticky windows so that iTunes would move around as I change spaces (Linux WMs have had that features since the 90s...).