Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Why do people use clamshell mode?
- Thread starter LiE_
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
You connecting the usb c monitor via the 2nd monitor? I have 2 Lenovo p27u-20 which have thunderbolt 4 in and out. I daisy chain them and connect via one port. All works fine. Might be something to do with different brands of 5k and 4K. Have you tried connecting them on 2 thunderbolt ports? (Not ideal I know)
I presume you're replying to me... Yes, I have had the 2 displays (4k is usb-c and 5k is Thunderbolt) connected via 2 of the MBP's Thunderbolt ports. Screen open works. Clamshell mode does not.
No daisy chaining options available with these displays unfortunately.
You could try the app better display to see if that can help get it working. There is a trial version on their website/github. Very strange though, as it should just work.
Some follow-up...
I came across this thread where someone can't get two displays working in clamshell - where both provide Power Delivery - my displays are the same! Both provide PD.
MacBook Pro M1Max 16-inch: Clamshell mode… - Apple Community
The Apple person told me to use HDMI instead but didn't mention anything about PD... So what if I took PD out of the equation...
I had a Thunderbolt 3 hub lying around so a went 4k Dell (via DisplayPort cable) > Brydge Stone Pro Hub (via Thunderbolt cable) > MBP and that works in clamshell mode!
So it seems that the MBP (in Clamshell) doesn't like having 2x displays that both provide PD.
I'm guessing that a simple adaptor (HDMI>Thunderbolt?) instead of the big hub would work too.
Now I wonder... Is this a bug or expected behaviour?
A further update... I tried a slightly different method... I figured this would also bypass the PD and still work (but nope!)... Dell 4k (via it's **USB-C** cable) > Brydge Stone Pro Hub (via Thunderbolt cable) > MBP ---- This doesn't work in clamshell mode.
This would suggest it has nothing to do with PD... Unless PD is still detected via a hub somehow... Feels unlikely...
So in a nutshell... These same two displays directly into two TB ports - not clamshell compatible. 5k display into a TB port + 4k display > HDMI > TB3 hub - *is* clamshell compatible.
I still wonder if this is expected behaviour. Anyone know?
lol cause im blind as a bat but i have tons of documents that needs to be opened at once. so i attach it to my 2 externals to spread out the real estate for easy access.
Are you using one cable connected to the dock or two individual cables per monitor? I'm using 1 monitor connected to my dock via USB-C -> my Mac, 2nd monitor directly hooked up to the monitor with a single cable.
So in a nutshell at the end of the day I have two cables connected to my 14" in clamshell mode
My 14" is work-issued, and I do take it into the office and/or travel with it occasionally.
I really love my setup where I have my 49" monitor, gaming KB/M (not that they're fully Mac compatible anyway), speakers, wireless headset (for work calls) and ethernet all connected to a Lenovo USB-C dock in my living room study, and the same (but with a more modest set of dual 27" monitors in the home office/third bedroom but connected to a Lenovo TB4 dock), and it's just great being able to plug the Macbook Pro or my work laptop in with a single cable in either location to charge and use everything. I also have my desktop gaming PC connected to the downstairs setup where the USB-C dock is then connected to a simple UGreen USB switcher. On both desks, I use a dual vertical stand to hold the Macbook Pro (and/or my work laptop) in clamshell/closed mode.
On a related note though, has anyone found Mac OS Ventura beta causes issues with the Macbook Pro 14" waking up in clamshell mode when you press keys on the keyboard/mouse? I find this happens on both the Lenovo USB-C dock and the TB4 dock even though they all worked fine before.
On a related note though, has anyone found Mac OS Ventura beta causes issues with the Macbook Pro 14" waking up in clamshell mode when you press keys on the keyboard/mouse? I find this happens on both the Lenovo USB-C dock and the TB4 dock even though they all worked fine before.
I have a nice desk setup with two displays, keyboard and mice. Two 27'' screens is plenty for me. I used to have three screens and I found that the third one went unused for the most part.I purchased a extra charger that I leave at the office. its just easy to get to the office plug in MagSafe and my thunderbolt dock. (yes I know you can charge through thunderbolt I'm on a 16 M1 max so its not quite enough power)
Lets face it, why use a tiny 14" screen instead of a desktop sized 27 and above?
I got my MBP 14 to be used as a couch computer as well as a desktop one (replacing my old PC). IMO it looks silly having the MBP open and just mirroring the display.
Same here. I use mine with 32" monitor as a desktop all day long, and then when ever I need to use a laptop as laptop, I just grab it from the table and start using it. For me this way my MacBook actually gets used a lot, unlike when I had separate Mini M1 and MBA M1, my MBA spent time mostly unused in the cabinet.
Why would you mirror the big display?
I use a 27” display for main work documents and keep email and slack on the laptop screen as a secondary workspace.
Well thats you. Ive seen loads of people using a much larger screen showing exactly whats on the smaller one. Thats why i said it looks silly.
I agree, it looks silly.
I don’t see the purpose of the mirroring except that that is what Apple does by default when you add a second screen so maybe they just don’t know that they can use the laptop screen for other things.
Well i can see reasons. I persoanly dont need two screens unless they are the same. Ive got a 27’’ that i use on my desktop and thats enough for me. I use two at work but that’s because i need them. Im not keen on using smaller screens so im not going to do it just because it’s there. My desk is quite small so if its open its in front of my large monitor, so notr even practice to use two. Obviously i use it when im away from the desk though.
The fact that it has to be open to use Touch ID means sometimes i will have it slightly open but im certainly not using the screen. Not often, but it happens.
Hello, I’m very interested in your setup because I don’t want to give a try to mac studio because of coil whine.
I need a silent computer for many reasons, plus I need more than 16gb ram that can offer my actual m1 mini.
So I think buying a mbp 14’’ with 32gb and use it 98% of the time in clamshell with my ASD display
But I need to know if the ASD will wakeup when the mbp wake up from sleep.
In other words, does a mbp in clamshell can be used as a « real » desktop ?
Thank you for your help !
yep, its just like a regular desktop, if ASD is anything like its big brother XDR, you can touch a key or click a mouse and it wakes up.
Just like @ilikewhey said, it function as a desktop PC with a built in battery. My MacBook Pro is in a stand behind my Studio Display. I just sit down at my desk and press the Touch ID key and it wakes up and logs in.
Yes. I have a Magic Keyboard with Touch ID, and simply resting my finger on the keyboard wakes the ASD up and authenticates me in less time than it takes to look up from the keyboard to the monitor.
My 14" is hidden away on a shelf underneath the desk. There have been a few number of times where I have had to open it to unlock FileVault after a reboot, but it hasn't happened in a long time, so this may have been addressed in a recent update.
The one single issue is that there is no external power button, and Touch ID does not work like a power button (unlike my beloved Apple Extended Keyboard II that could power-on my clamshelled PowerBooks all through the 90s) so you will need to open it to start it.
Last edited:
I use my MBP with my Studio Display at home, and the MBP is in a vertical stand behind display to keep desk as clear as possible due to other equipment need to use for work etc.
So when on the display I don't use MBP screen.
I have separate magic keyboard and trackpad for use at home.
So when on the display I don't use MBP screen.
I have separate magic keyboard and trackpad for use at home.
desk space? I have 2 Thunderbolt Displays. Sure the display on laptop is much better, but screen real estate is more important for the type of work I do most often. The reason I get a laptop intead of an iMac is because I need a computer everywhere I go for my job. So laptop on the go, docking station with dual monitors at home and work. At work I do leave the display open and use the built in trackpad and keyboard, but at home with my dual thunderbolts, I prefer external keyboard, trackpad.
Last edited:
