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wallaby

macrumors 6502a
Jun 5, 2007
511
138
Iowa
These posts bug me. What in the world do you know about "people" and their needs?

I use my M1 Air at work, when I'm at my office, it's in clamshell mode. I just take the laptop out of my bag and connect it via one USB-C cable, and I'm ready to work. When I'm out in the field, or at home, I have a laptop with a good screen and keyboard to use.

How on earth would it be easier for me to use two machines? And my employer - is it reasonable to assume that they will hand out two computers? To all employees? Two machines to buy, configure and support?

You have an opinion and a specific use case - and that's perfectly fine. But nobody's interested in you telling everybody how they should do stuff.

Simples.
Do you bring your Air in addition to a work-provided machine? Does your office do BYOD (device)? Or when you say “my” is it actually the company’s laptop?
 

ElRojito

macrumors 6502
May 6, 2012
329
585
You are paying for that lovely screen which can be used as an additional screen, but instead decide to run in clamshell mode.
Because its my work machine and I didn't pay for it 😛. Also I prefer my 21:9 34"
 

LiE_

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Mar 23, 2013
1,717
5,570
UK
It does if your desk is small or doesn't have a lot of extra space. Do you want to know why people use clamshell, or do you want to tell people they are wrong for doing so?
It was a question, not a statement.
 

doolar

macrumors 6502a
Nov 25, 2019
644
1,128
Do you bring your Air in addition to a work-provided machine? Does your office do BYOD (device)? Or when you say “my” is it actually the company’s laptop?
It’s a work provided Mac, I can choose freely which computer and setup I want however.
 

xxray

macrumors 68040
Jul 27, 2013
3,115
9,412
How is a tiny-looking screen next to my 27” monitor going to help me? I’m going to have to have it closer to me so I don’t have to squint, it’ll take up more desk space, and it’s not ergonomic visually or physically. It would feel more like a hindrance than a help.
 

Tyler O'Bannon

macrumors 6502a
Nov 23, 2019
886
1,497
I need a desktop 90% of the time. I need a laptop 10% of the time. Therefore, I must have a laptop. I only need 1 screen 99% of the time (there is ONE use case where I use dual screens, only a few times per year, having laptop is advantageous because it has a screen built in), especially when using my LG UltraFine 5K (The "Apple" one).

My 16" MBP Intel is in Clamshell mode 90% of the time. But, i do need a laptop occasionally. And the second screen occasionally.

So that is why i have a laptop and use it in clamshell mode most of the time. I have a feeling that is a common reason and answer to this question.
 

DeltaMac

macrumors G5
Jul 30, 2003
13,760
4,586
Delaware
It was a question, not a statement.
If you had a more valid question, then you might expect more answers.
Yours is a statement - making a point - with a question mark at the end. That does not make it a question by itself, -- but it fits perfectly with the definition for a rhetorical question, which, like your statement, does not usually need an answer. Answering your statement with either a yes or no suggests acceptance of the statement that you made.
(I hope I am not being too pedantic about this... )
 

fameios-phil

macrumors newbie
Jun 6, 2022
7
1
I never understood this either.

Apple makes incredible desktops for people who want to connect a larger display. Use the right tools for the job. Buy a desktop Mac for work at the desk, and use your MacBook Pros as laptops when you need them.
One one reason is that until the Mac Studio was released (and is STILL hard to get), the 14" and 16" MacBook Pros were the most powerful computers.

There is practically no performance difference between the M1 iMac, Mac Mini and the M1 MacBook Air.
 

fameios-phil

macrumors newbie
Jun 6, 2022
7
1
I do not use my M1 MacBook Air in clamshell mode.

I have it sitting on top of a monitor riser stand and use a 4K monitor as my primary display. I park the keyboard and mouse under the riser stand when not in use to free up desk clutter.

Now even though my MacBook Air is open, the screen really doesn't do much. It is too small to do a lot with, and I might keep mail or Music app in the foreground while I do my work on the main screen. I am also used to working with multiple displays and will often have working apps on one screen and research/web apps on the other.
 

marco114

macrumors 6502
Jul 17, 2001
440
458
USA
I have two Dell 4K Displays. They are very easy on my old eyes and 27" each. So the laptop stays closed because it's just in the way at that point. I also use a Logi MX Keys Wireless keyboard and Mouse. They are nice and support switching to other computers on my desk with one click.
 
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jezus81

macrumors newbie
Jan 4, 2022
3
4
My M1 MBP is in Clamshell mode 90% of the time. Clamshell Mode is a very elegant solution when using a slide-in dock like the one from brydge. And still being able to use the MBP as a laptop occasionally is a nice bonus...
 
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nastysailboat

Cancelled
May 7, 2021
306
259
Maybe, but instead of saying that he seemed upset that I didn't mention he prefers larger screens. Preferring larger screens didn't need any further clarification, it's obvious. The keyboard and mouse bit I was confused about.
Kinda seems like you’re just trying to upset the guy. This whole thread seems kinda pointless. Why do people use a computer for the lap at a desk… because they want to?
 

filmbuff

macrumors 6502a
Jan 5, 2011
968
364
Well this is a dumb thread but why not. I use my laptop in clamshell mode when I'm at my desk, and as a laptop when I'm anywhere else. I don't want to look at more than one screen at my desk, so I use clamshell mode instead of leaving it open.
 

dtm84

macrumors member
Oct 10, 2021
79
167
It's been said before but if you have a job typically you are issued a laptop which you dock at your desk, carry around and use in laptop mode for meetings in boardrooms, then dock it at home for remote work, or use in laptop mode when on vacation in case of work emergencies.
 

Apple fanboy

macrumors Ivy Bridge
Feb 21, 2012
57,009
56,028
Behind the Lens, UK
Curious why people use clamshell mode, especially on the new 14/16 MBP with those gorgeous screens. You are paying for that lovely screen which can be used as an additional screen, but instead decide to run in clamshell mode.
Connected t 2 x colour accurate 27" screens. Apple glossy screens aren't for me. Only time I use it as a laptop is in meetings or when travelling.
 
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