Using laptop with lid closed
I would like to keep my MacBook Pro on during the day while I'm at work to get my email. Anyway, even though I've set the configuration to not go to sleep when plugged in, it still sleeps when I close the lid. An article in the Help says...
"To use the computer with the lid closed, you must connect it to an external monitor, keyboard, and mouse."
Is this true??? Not to say that the help is lying or anything, but when I say I want to "use" the laptop, I mean I have Mail set to check for email every 15 minutes. If I close the lid, and it goes to sleep, do all processes stop? Is there nothing to do to stop it from sleeping when the lid is closed and no monitor, mouse or keyboard is attached?
-DJ
"To use the computer with the lid closed, you must connect it to an external monitor, keyboard, and mouse."
Is this true??? Not to say that the help is lying or anything, but when I say I want to "use" the laptop, I mean I have Mail set to check for email every 15 minutes. If I close the lid, and it goes to sleep, do all processes stop? Is there nothing to do to stop it from sleeping when the lid is closed and no monitor, mouse or keyboard is attached?
-DJ
Comments
You can download a utility called "Sleepless." It's shareware, and it allows you to run the laptop with the lid closed provided you have it plugged in. I use it all the time when playing music, bittorrenting, etc.
I don't know if its been optimized for intel yet...
When I had a laptop, I just left the machine slightly open.
It's probably best to do that in the interests of heat dissipation, especially for a MBP.
Originally posted by Marvin
Why not just wait until you get home to check your e-mail?
My ISP only allows me 10MB of mail space. I get a lot of email, some with large attachments. I like to have my email downloaded to my computer so my mailbox doesn't get full and start bouncing mail. I'll probably just leave it open like you said.
Originally posted by kmhtkmhtkmht
If you close the cover - even in sleep - the MacBook get's roasting.
I've never had the heat problems that a lot of people have been reporting with the MacBook Pro. It gets a bit toasty when sitting on my lap without being plugged in, but never "hot". And when sleeping, it's totally cool to the touch. Of course, now that I think of it, it's always sleeping either on a granite countertop or glass table. Guess that helps.
Originally posted by kmhtkmhtkmht
In any instance my advice would be to get a real email account.
Wow, all these years and I never would have known that I needed a real email account if I hadn't bought my MacBook. Thanks, that's very helpful. Must be why they call this the Genius Bar.
Originally posted by dac0nvu
Wow, all these years and I never would have known that I needed a real email account if I hadn't bought my MacBook. Thanks, that's very helpful. Must be why they call this the Genius Bar.
It has the advantages that you can put your laptop to sleep, you will never miss an email (if two people send a 5MB+ email within 10mins, you will lose one of them right?), it improves security as your machine doesn't need to be online when you're not around.
Originally posted by Danosaur
Yes its true, at least it was with the Powerbooks.
You can download a utility called "Sleepless." It's shareware, and it allows you to run the laptop with the lid closed provided you have it plugged in. I use it all the time when playing music, bittorrenting, etc.
I don't know if its been optimized for intel yet...
Well, I tried that Sleepless thing and it works like a charm on my MacBook!