Use your MacBook closed by connecting it to an external display

Applelizados

2 minutes

Surely many of you have opted for the mobility that a MacBook grants to go from here to there with it, and the comfort of working with an external screen connected to it when we are at home. If you don't need to use both screens at the same time, today we show you how to use the "Screen closed mode".

What do I need and what are the advantages of closed screen mode?

To use the screen closed mode you will need to:

  • an external monitor
  • Mini DisplayPort to HDMI or VGA adapter
  • external mouse and keyboard

All the advantages of using our closed MacBook when connected to an external display they are obvious. In the first place, we will avoid being unnecessarily filled with dust. In addition, having the two screens in operation duplicates the work of the graphics cards, something that we will avoid in this way. And lastly, don't worry about ventilation, everyone MacBooks are prepared to work this way.

How to activate screen closed mode

First of all make sure have your MacBook connected to the power outlet Well, this mode only works this way. Following:

  1. We make sure to have the mouse and keyboard connected or linked to our MacBook (depending on whether it is bluetooth or cable devices).
  2. We access the System Preferences panel and in the Bluetooth section, we make sure that we have Activate the option "Activate the computer through Bluetooth devices", in this way we can suspend the equipment and restart it with these external devices (in case they are connected via Bluetooth) without having to open our computer.
  3. We connect our external screen with the appropriate adapter.
  4. Once the desktop appears on the external display, you can now close your MacBook. The image will go back and forth as if nothing was on your external screen. When you open your computer again the image will appear on both screens

This screen closed mode it works on all versions of OS X, including OS X Yosemite, from where I write.

If you liked this post remember that you have many more tips and tricks like this in our tutorial section.


Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked with *

*

*

  1. Responsible for the data: Miguel Ángel Gatón
  2. Purpose of the data: Control SPAM, comment management.
  3. Legitimation: Your consent
  4. Communication of the data: The data will not be communicated to third parties except by legal obligation.
  5. Data storage: Database hosted by Occentus Networks (EU)
  6. Rights: At any time you can limit, recover and delete your information.

  1.   JuanGatito said
    ago 9 years

    very good, I have been looking for this solution a long time ago because I work better with the 22 ″ samsung screen. The only question is, why is it required to be with the adapter connected? I'm afraid that permanently using the connected mac will shorten my battery life

    Reply to juanGatito
    1.    Jose Alfocea said
      ago 9 years

      Hi Juan, you shouldn't worry. When you use your Mac connected and the battery is fully charged, it does not have any activity, your Mac draws its power directly from the electrical current, not from the battery.

      Reply to Jose Alfocea
      1.    JuanGatito said
        ago 9 years

        Thanks Jose

        Reply to juanGatito
        1.    Jose Alfocea said
          ago 9 years

          To you for visiting us 😉

          Reply to Jose Alfocea
  2.   newwinch said
    ago 9 years

    Hi, does it work with any other version of osx like Lion on a 2007 macbook? Thanks a lot

    Reply to Neowinch
    1.    Jose Alfocea said
      ago 9 years

      Hello!!!! Well, in principle yes, you shouldn't have any problem if you have a Bluetooth connection. I have used it with Mountain Lion, Mavericks and Yosemite, not in Lion, but it should work. If you try it, tell us about it 😉

      Reply to Jose Alfocea