MBP 2016/TB - Clamshell mode, magnet location

[takufner]

I just upgraded my 2011 MBP to a MBP 2016/TB 15 inch.

With my old computer, when using it on my desk, I plug it into my external display and used to put a small/weak magnet in the left side, just below the left speaker, and the screen just goes off and I used it in clamshell mode, but with the lid opened.

I'd like to use like this with my new MBP as well, specially because I want to access the fingerprint scanner without having to open the macbook.

Is there a way to do this in this new model? Where is the location to put the magnet? I just tried every possible position around where the lid touches the computer body.

Kind regards,

 

[QzzB]

Can you not just plug in a monitor and use it? why do you have to put a magnet on the machine? External displays work with the laptop open surely?

 

[PalidinoDH]

Can you not just plug in a monitor and use it? why do you have to put a magnet on the machine? External displays work with the laptop open surely?

I think he's asking because I doesn't want to waste resources powering the internal display because he isn't using it.

 

[takufner]

Man, can you just try to answer the question?

There could be millions of reasons to use the way I use. And my unique reason will not change the final answer: someone knows where is the location of the lid magnet?

Kind regards,

 

[BarracksSi]

I'd like to use like this with my new MBP as well, specially because I want to access the fingerprint scanner without having to open the macbook.

Ah, ok.

No, I don't know how to trick it, but I'm quoting this sentence so other people have a better chance of seeing it.

You've tried the new model already, then? Both on the body and on the display frame?

 

[takufner]

Ah, ok.

No, I don't know how to trick it, but I'm quoting this sentence so other people have a better chance of seeing it.

You've tried the new model already, then? Both on the body and on the display frame?

Thanks for the reply.

Yes, I've tried very slowly around the display and around the body. Even tried with two magnets at same time, if there was a chance to have two sensors that have to be touched at same time.

I think that with this new paradigm of opening the lid and the computer turns on, the sensor to detect the opening and closing of the lid is something more robust than just a magnet.

 

[lobo1978]

My suggestion is to look closely at ifixit hi-res photos of disassembled mac or ask this question at ifixit forum.

 

[Awjvail]

I highly doubt the Touch Bar and therefore Touch-ID even work when it thinks the lid is closed, anyway.

 

[killawat]

I highly doubt the Touch Bar and therefore Touch-ID even work when it thinks the lid is closed, anyway.

Good answer. Hopefully Apple will give us a magic keyboard with Touch ID.

 

[sunlit]

I have not been able to find the magnetic sensor on my 2017 macbook pro either. They changed something, and I suspect it might be hidden in the hinge or something like that.

 

[avolmar]

Any news in this case? I am looking for this magnetic switch as well, since I am doing a lot of high power tasks, and want to avoid any power waste for internal display when I am using external display. Hopefully there are any (new) ideas.

 

[cocoua]

this is an old thread but I got this the search so I post the possible answer here for future searches.
while this is for the 12" MB it can give some clues about MBP

RESUELTO:Where is the lid sensor located? - Retina MacBook 2015

Usually it is on the logic board, but on this model the board is obviously in the middle of the Macbook, so it does not have the hall effect sensor here. The only thing I can think of it being is a small circuit on the back of the keyboard, under a shield (see picture). I am not 100%, but...

es.ifixit.com

Macbook 12" - 2015: The sensor is inside the keyboard. Depending on the production year: Model 2015 has the sensor close to the LEFT SHIFT BUTTON. Model 2016/2017 has 2 sensors, one close to LEFT SHIFT BUTTON and one close to the RIGHT SHIFT BUTTON. I have figured that out, because I've replaced my keyboard on my Macbook 2015 model with the wrong keyboard (for model 2016/2017) and I had some problems: if I close the lid, the screen doesn't go off, nor closes my session; second, the keyboard from 2016/2017 mounted in the 2015 model fits perfect, but when I log into my session, somehow, the SHIFT, CONTROL and OPTION buttons are "pressed down virtually"; so I have to either press all 3 buttons down so they will behave as "they are not pressed/held down". If I don't do that, the touchpad is also affected (the single tap acts like right-click). Yes, a very weird situation -> Apple thought about that, so it would be very hard to swap between different models.