Running a MacBook/MacBook Pro on an external monitor

Once I acquired a Cinema Display, I threw my MacBook Pro on the desk and never looked back. I’ve run into some issues, however, with the sleep/wake mode on my laptop. Occasionally, I’ll attempt to wake my Mac via the touch switch on the Cinema Display, but my laptop won’t respond. Only opening the lid will wake it up, but then I’ve got both displays running (which is simply too much screen real estate for any one person).

cinema_display.pngAfter countless failed attemps to solve this issue via some hidden setting or series of tasks, I’ve discovered the secret:

  1. Plug in your external monitor. I’m using a 23″ Cinema Display, but I’m guessing these instructions map to any monitor.
  2. Open the lid for you MacBook/MacBook Pro. This should wake it up (and fire up both displays).
  3. Switch to mirrored monitor mode. On the MB/MBP, this is default functionality of the F7 key. After pressing F7 a few times, you should end up with the same image on both your external monitor and built-in. You can also setup the Display settings in the System Preferences app.
  4. Close your MB/MBP. This will put your system back to sleep (which is fine now that it’s in mirrored mode).
  5. Plug in an external keyboard, thumb drive, or card reader. We’re banking on the MB/MBPs ability to wake up on USB activity (in this case, we’re mounting a new USB device).

The biggest gotcha in this process is having your displays in mirrored mode before putting them to sleep.

'Automatically reduce the brightness of the display before display sleep' uncheckedYMMV, but I’ve also disabled “Automatically reduce the brightness of the display before display sleep” in the Energy Savings panel of System Preferences. Some message board singled out this feature as causing issues with Mac waking from sleep.

Discussion

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  • Plug in an external keyboard, thumb drive, or card reader. We’re banking on the MB/MBPs ability to wake up on USB activity (in this case, we’re mounting a new USB device).

    Why this tips doesn’t work on my MacBook Pro (Leopard) what’s going on? and how to make this tips work?

    Thanks

    Jauhari

    January 21, 2008, 7:32 pm

  • I’m using an HP w2007 external monitor. Works great but getting my Macbook Pro to wake up after shutting the lid takes a while. I’ll tap various keys (Apple USB keyboard), move my mouse (Apple wireless bluetooth) and sometimes press buttons on the Apple remote. The MBP eventually wakes. Is there one key or something that will cause it to wake?

    Scott

    January 21, 2008, 8:39 pm

  • @Jauhari: I’m also running Leopard on my MacBook Pro. I haven’t had any problems with it waking up after plugging in a USB thumb drive.

    However, when I cold-boot up my laptop , I usually crack the lid open just enough to slide my hand in. I hit the power button and close the lid quickly. This ALWAYS forces my Mac to use the external display. Granted, this doesn’t solve the problem when your computer is on, but it’s an acceptable work-around for my daily workflow.

    @Scott: Not really sure. IBM ThinkPad used to respond to the fn key (and I like that since it doesn’t trigger a character to be typed. Try that.

    Scott

    January 24, 2008, 10:00 am

  • Scott..

    I bought a new HP 2007 22 monitor this afternoon to use as an external monitor for my MacBook Pro. I cannot figure out how to access the Menu controls on the front to adjust color, brightness, etc…I click the button, the image comes on the screen but I can’t access the panel. My cursor will not hold in the menu panel. Any help will be appreciated!

    Carol

    Carol

    April 23, 2008, 9:01 pm

  • Do you guys never encounter heating problem when your MBP is ON while the lid is close?
    I am just curios if there will be some problem in the long run.

    Thanks!

    Pangolin

    June 14, 2008, 11:35 pm

  • @Carol: This is probably a little late, but I’ll respond anyway. I’ve never used an HP monitor before, but my guess is that you’re misunderstanding what’s controlled by your operating system and what’s controlled by your monitor firmware. If you’re pressing a button on the front of the monitor to open a menu, you’ll need to use the monitor controls to navigate that menu. Your OS will not be able to interact with any menu your monitor calls up.

    Scott

    June 18, 2008, 11:09 am

  • @Pangolin: There was one time when I closed the lid of my MBP and it did not sleep. I’m assuming that some process running in the OS kept the laptop from sleeping. The laptop kept running in my bag; when I pulled it out an hour later, it was hot enough to grill a t-bone.

    Since that experience, I make it a habit to put my MBP to sleep before closing the lid. This seems to help it wake up more consistently when I open the lid up later. When you close the lid, you’re MBP should sleep. If it’s not, check your System Settings.

    Long term effects? I don’t recommend letting your laptop “heat up” for any length of time. If you can prevent this, I’m gonna guess your laptop guts (the internal components) will last longer without failure. Good luck!

    Scott

    June 18, 2008, 11:16 am

  • Thanks for this post, Scott. I found the advice on making sure the displays are mirrored particularly helpful. One note I wanted to add is that I have a Dell 2408WFP monitor, and for the monitor to remain active while the laptop lid is closed, I need to connect my MBP to DVI 1… NOT DVI 2.

    Michael

    July 8, 2008, 6:27 am

  • Is there a way to use the 2560 x 1600 display setting on my 30″ eternal monitor and keep the lid open on my MacBook Pro running Leopard?

    Sandyman

    July 12, 2008, 5:50 am

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