Preventing sleep on lid close with intel MacBooks

[torchie]

Sorry if this has been resolved/asked/etc. before, but;

I can't seem to find anything that will prevent my MacBook from sleeping when the lid is open. I've tried Doze, and I've tried InsomniaX. I also know the risks of doing this, heat venting while closing is dangerous; I've acknowledged this. But there are times when I need it to be on while open, even for short periods like closing it to bring it from place to place because carrying it around while open doesn't exactly cut it when I need to sustain a connection (file downloads, etc.)

tl;dr: How do I keep notebook on while closed?

 

[jsw]

There's no easy solution. You can add a display adapter, but even then it usually goes to sleep upon closing the lid and then you need to wake it back up while closed.

Plus, if you move it while awake, odds are good the motion detector will shut off the HD, which will effectively screw things up anyway.

 

[torchie]

Hmm; what if there was a way to temporarily turn off the motion sensor when it's closed?

 

[mrmma]

This is something that I would probably use frequently as well. I currently have a Compaq (4 yrs old, time to get a MacBook ---after MWSF) that does this and it's quite nice. I can start some data analysis/modeling code running, or a download, or something, close it and put it aside if someone wants to chat, I need the space, etc...

The downside is that there have been several times that I've forgotten about it (being on), put it in my case and wandered off. I discover a dead battery or a really hot laptop later.

Ideally it would alarm if shut and too hot...