Does Clamshell Mode Damage The Computer?

[PGB1]

Hi All!

It's well past time to replace my 2007 MacBook Pro for a more secure computer. I'd like to get a small laptop for use at the desk and for limited travel. The desk use will always be with an external monitor, keyboard & track pad. Reason? Eyesight. The built-in display will be OK for travel but not for hours at a time use.

My thoughts are MacBook Air M2 or MacBook Pro 13". I'd use it with the lid closed (Clamshell Mode) at the desk. I've read dozens of articles about this. Some say it is not damaging to the computer, some say it destroys the battery, the display or the keyboard.

I hate to be bothersome, but this is the best place for unbiased & experienced knowledge. Does clamshell mode damage a MacBook Air or MacBook Pro 13"? (Haven't picked yet- Tough,but fun, decision.)

A side question, if I may:
At the desk I always have a USB Time Machine drive plugged in. With a new computer, the monitor will be plugged in. Sometimes a SD card will get mounted, as well as my other backup drive. Maybe even the keyboard will get plugged in. Do Thunderbolt hubs work well with MacBooks?

Thanks For Helping! I very much appreciate it.
Paul

 

[Raz0rEdge]

The vents of a Macbook is in the hinge between the bottom and top case. When the top case is opened, hot air can easily vent out and keep the machine cool. On the Intel based Macbooks, you might have felt the vent area on both the top and bottom cases get warm to hot..

The downside of keeping the lid closed is that now that air is venting in a different way than it would normally. That is, normally the hot air would just rise away from the computer. With the lid closed, the hot air would have to escape from gaps between the cases and go over the keyboard and LCD to do so.

In the past, people have definitely complained that having the lid closed has left keyboard imprints on the LCD that don't go away.

The new Apple Silicon based Macs are significantly better are operating at lower temps while yielding higher performance, so this issue has been lessened.

There are stands that can hold the MBP in a vertical position, with that and maybe a fan slowly blowing over the gap, you might not have any issues at all.

Yes TB hubs work fine with Macs (all of them).

 

[PGB1]

Thank You Ashwin for the very helpful information & great explanation of venting- as I sit here feeling the hot air coming out of the hinge on my 2007 MBP that I've never noticed.

Being stuck in the old-guy mindset of spinning platter hard drives, I'd never considered a vertical stand until you mentioned it. A fast check for Vertical Stand gave me an idea: Make or modify one that will let the computer be behind the monitor, vertical and open at part way. (Small Desk)

I even saw some stands with thunderbolt hubs for my treasures and for the all-important ethernet cable that I forgot to mention earlier.
(Ethernet-To-Router is our more reliable option. We live the exact distance from a television & radio tower array that our WiFi, AM, FM and about anything radio gets scrambled. A hundred yards in any direction would solve the problem.)

Thank You Again Ashwin. I very much appreciate your help & how it's made a new computer decision a lot easier.

Paul

 

[Raz0rEdge]

I have an M1 Max based Mac Studio which replaced my Intel based Mac Mini. My workflow is the same across both of those machines and the big difference between the machines is that the Mac Mini would regularly however around 50-60 degC and up to 90 degC under heavy load. My Mac Studio, hovers around 38 degC at rest and spikes to about 45-48 degC under heavy load.

So the fans on the Mac Studio doesn't get beyond the base 13xx RPM as opposed to the Mac Mini which would end up in 5xxx RPM constantly to dissipate the heat.

To that end, the new Macs will be that much cooler so anything you do to create good airflow will make it that much better and reduce the number of issues you might run into that are heat-related.

 

[Slydude]

I feel your pain when it comes to desk space issues. I also have vision issues when it comes to using smaller screens for extended periods of time.

I started using notebooks in clamshell mode and later started using the laptop screen as a second screen. To get around vision issues I tend to be picky about what I put on the laptop screen. It tends to be things that I don't have to read for extended periods of time (email), things that can be easily enlarged, or things such as graphics.

 

[PGB1]

What you wrote, Ashwin, about temperatures in the two units is interesting. My MacBook Pro was booted and came directly to this site. It's already got the fans at 4000 rpm.

Thanks for the good tip about things to use the laptop screen for, Sludude. I look forward to the new machine and a new external monitor so I can get used to things. I suppose using a laptop in clam shell mode will take a little getting used to, but even the largest Mac Book Pro screen isn't big enough. (And they are out-of-budget)

Thanks Again for helping & for the tips about keeping the machine cool in use. I very much appreciate your help.

Paul

 

[nancyspeed]

It's well past time to replace my 2007 MacBook Pro for a more secure computer. I'd like to get a small laptop for use at the desk and for limited travel. The desk use will always be with an external monitor, keyboard & track pad. Reason? Eyesight.

I sympathize with your "old guy" mindset. I went from a 2007 MacBook (never got beyond Snow Leopard) to a 2015 MacBook Pro and just replaced it with the 14" 2021 M1. There is a slight learning curve but I navigated it with minimal stress. You will love the 2021 model. I would have gotten the 16" but it was just too heavy in comparison.

People see my huge 27" iMac and ask why I have such a huge desktop in my office. It is because of my eyesight. I don't understand how people use a cell phone to do anything beyond make a call or send a text. There just isn't enough screen for me.

 

[IWT]

I don't understand how people use a cell phone to do anything beyond make a call or send a text.

And do banking and other Internet enterprises! I agree with you Nancy.

Ian

 

[PGB1]

I agree, Nancy. Big Time!

On my phone, I can (usually) successfully make a phone call. Answering? 50:50. Photos? Text? Inner-Tube-Web-Net surfing? No Way!

Once at work, there were 32 of us sitting at a long table for dinner. Everyone but me had her or his face in the phone for the entire meal. No words were spoken. Wonder if health insurance covers Text neck?

Thanks Again everyone for clamshell mode suggestions. I think my goal will be to set up the desk so that the MacBook will be able to stay open for proper cooling & out of the way of the big monitor. On edge & open seems to be the best fit, if it'll cool properly.

Pretty much, I've decided to either get a M2 in MacBook Air or M2 MacBook Pro 13". I haven't deep dived into specifications. So far, fan cooling and ports are the most noticeable differences.

 

[lclev]

When I am creating media content I use my 14" MBP attached to three 27" monitors. I keep the MBP open as I love using the keyboard and trackpad. When I am working I use the laptop's screen to hold the dock and some folders. All currently being used apps and content are spread out over the three screens. My eyes are getting old too!

Lisa

 

[PGB1]

Thanks Lisa for a good idea about using the laptop keyboard.

I got so involved (and overwhelmed) looking at things I'll need to use laptop with an external monitor, it didn't occur to me to simply put the monitor on a stand to clear the laptop screen and use the laptop's keyboard & trackpad. My existing 2007 MacBook Pro has a comfortable keyboard & I understand the new ones are even better.

I'll measure before I buy, but your method will also solve the clamshell mode versus heat problem.

Thanks Again,
Paul

 

[Slydude]

That isn't a bad idea. Be sure to pay attention to how high the monitor will be so that it doesn't have you looking up at a bad angle.

BTW, this may not be an issue for you but it is for me. My current secondary monitor is an LG Ultrwide. It has a different aspect ratio than my iMac. When I bought the monitor I didn't think it would annoy me but it does.

 

[lclev]

This is my current setup. The first two monitors are 4K and the one on the right is a 1920x1080. It all works well together - I don't ask how! When I am creating video content the center one has Premiere Pro open on it. The one to the left will hold various storage devices for dragging in content and the one on the right will most likely have my email open or a browser window.

Lisa