Will MBA run when closed?

[Mr Downtown]

I'm pondering the purchase of an MBA 11 to be my home computer, using an external keyboard and monitor. A product called BookArc makes it look like it's simple to run the MBA when it's closed (and improves performance), but an employee at the Apple Store this afternoon said the MBA goes to sleep when it's closed. Anyone know for sure? Does it matter which model MBA?

[TheTominator]

Yes

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3131

[Winston]

My mother has had a 13" MBA for a year or so (one model back?). It runs fine when closed with an external monitor, keyboard and mouse. I'd be surprised if the current model can't do that.

Yes, it goes to sleep when closed. But it can then be woken up from the external keyboard or mouse.


Good luck.

- Winston

[onthedownlow]

You just need to have your keyboard/mouse/power plugged into the MBA and it will not go to sleep when you close the lid. The Apple Store employee must have missed this (how many years now?) feature:

Requirements for closed display mode:

• Power adapter
  
• External keyboard, mouse, or trackpad
  
• External display
  

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3131

[Drew]

About that stand. I run my Macbook connected to a large monitor and separate keyboard, mouse, etc. when in my home office. I use an elevated stand like the one in the link below. The advantage to this style is that you can easily open the screen of your portable while connected to the peripherals if you want/need to, for example to access the power button or the built-in camera.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0044RU...=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000OOYECC&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0XYK7JZBW2JBGWC0N3JW

[Winston]

Drew wrote:
About that stand. I run my Macbook connected to a large monitor and separate keyboard, mouse, etc. when in my home office. I use an elevated stand like the one in the link below. The advantage to this style is that you can easily open the screen of your portable while connected to the peripherals if you want/need to, for example to access the power button or the built-in camera.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0044RU...=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000OOYECC&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0XYK7JZBW2JBGWC0N3JW

Probably helps it run cooler too. A good thing for longevity.


Good luck.

- Winston

[Black]

Mr Downtown wrote:
I'm pondering the purchase of an MBA 11 to be my home computer, using an external keyboard and monitor. A product called BookArc makes it look like it's simple to run the MBA when it's closed (and improves performance), but an employee at the Apple Store this afternoon said the MBA goes to sleep when it's closed. Anyone know for sure? Does it matter which model MBA?

Bad bad "genius."
All recent Apple Laptops (since the Intels?) work flawlessly with the lid closed, given an external display, mouse and kb.
-start laptop
-close lid
. . .just like having a desktop from here on out.