What is the Clamshell Mode? How It Works!

Closed-clamshell mode (also known as closed display mode on Macs) allows you to use your Mac even if it’s hidden away. This feature lets you close your Mac and turn it into a desktop computer.

All you need is an external display, Bluetooth or Bluetooth keyboard, and an AC adapter to your Mac. You should be aware of the possibility of overheating while operating in clamshell mode.

Openly, your Mac’s keyboard heats up and its surface area also heats up. You can reduce this heat by closing your Mac when not in use.

How to Use Your MacBook without the Lid Closed

You might be wondering if the lid can be removed from your MacBook. To turn your MacBook on, you can open the lid by pressing the power button. Close the lid and go to sleep.

The lid used to make it more difficult to get your MacBook to work. However, if your MacBook was manufactured in the past decade or runs Mac OS X Lion (from 2011), it should be easy.

Clamshell Mode: Set up

Step 1: Connect an external display

Connect an external projector or display to your laptop. Clamshell workstations can turn off your laptop’s screen to maximize graphics performance and drive multiple full-size, high-resolution external displays.

To save the screen and free up power for the processors, the screen can be turned off. This prevents performance throttling from a reduced power supply, especially when the CPU and GPU processors are at their highest speed.

You can put multiple external displays side by side to create a cleaner digital desktop layout. You can place these displays at eye level, so users don’t need to look down. This will improve ergonomics at the workplace and help to reduce eye strain.

The supported display type, resolution and compatibility will depend on the model of your laptop.

If you are new to external displays and don’t know how clamshell mode works, turn the display on with the laptop screen facing up.

Step 2: Connect the external keyboard and mouse

It is possible to connect a wireless (Bluetooth) keyboard to your laptop as well as a wireless (Bluetooth), gaming mouse or trackpad to it.

Clamshell workstations allow you to use any input device, while still providing the required functionality and ergonomics. Before you can activate clamshell mode, you must pair your Bluetooth device with Bluetooth.

You must turn on Bluetooth on your laptop to enable clamshell mode after you have completed the initial Bluetooth setup.

Step 3: Connect an external laptop power supply

You can connect an external power supply to your laptop. To ensure your laptop is powered up continuously, it is recommended to use an original Apple power supply or a genuine Apple replacement.

Alternately you could also use power from an external connection or a cable charging station. Make sure it is reliable and sufficient to power your laptop.

Clamshell workstations are equipped with an internal battery that acts as an Uninterrupted Energy Supply (UPS) to protect the system against data loss and corruption in power outages.

Step 4: In your Apple Laptop, turn on Clamshell Mode

Depending on your laptop’s configuration, you can connect the above three components.

To start the laptop, turn off the power. The 2021 16-inch MacBook Pro, and the 14-inch MacBook Pro with M1 Pro/M1 Max chip start automatically. For example, the 2016-2020 Touch Bar MacBook Pros may be set up in clamshell mode. The screen is connected to the power supply with its lid closed.

If the laptop is still asleep, it will wake up. The 2021 16-inch MacBook Pro or 14-inch MacBook Pro with M1 Pro/M1 Max chips automatically wakes up by opening the screen. If the screen is not opened, or if you have an older laptop, you will need to press the spacebar in order to wake it up from sleep. After the external display has been activated, newer laptops will automatically switch to clamshell mode.

If the laptop is asleep, wait for external display activation. The 2021 16-inch MacBook Pro, and the 14-inch MacBook Pro equipped with M1 Pro or M1 Max chips, automatically go into clamshell mode after the screen is closed. You may have to press the spacebar on an older laptop’s external keyboard to activate clamshell mode.

Conclusion

If the lid is not closed, it is very easy to get your MacBook out of sleep. But powering up your MacBook can be a different story. Simply open the lid and press the power button.

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