using macbook closed

[bazookaman]

My almost 1 year old is absolutely enthralled by the itunes visualizer. I can connect my macbook to my DLPTV and thought it might be cool to put it up on the big screen. Can I run the itunes visualizer with the macbook closed? I guess I am wondering what I can or cannot do with the lid closed...if anything.

[TheTominator]

You can run the MacBook with the lid closed and an external display and keyboard (and mouse) attached.

If I recall correctly, the MacBook won't run (it will stay asleep) when closed if you don't connect an external keyboard.

Note that the iBooks woudn't run when closed except if you hacked the firmware. This was designed that way due to heat buildup issues. They dissipated some heat up through the keyboard and thus couldn't run safely when closed.

But the MacBooks are designed to remove heat through the bottom and through the vent near the hinge and are engineered to run OK when closed.

[bazookaman]

ah ha. thanks for that.

I think I've got another keyboard laying around.

I just wanted to make sure it wouldn't overheat or something like that.

[Lew Zealand]

I have a user who is using his MacBook lid closed 8+ hrs/day for 2 years (original 1.83 Core Duo) and he's had zero problems and the screen and KB still look great.

[Jimmypoo]

That's impressive when you consider that the MB draws air down through the keyboard.

So that little gap around the edges is enough to get air down into the machine......