keep my macbook awake.

March 10, 2008 8:28 PM

how can i close my macbook without making it fall asleep?

i often listen to internet radio through my macbook - and i'd prefer to close the laptop rather than have it sitting there, mocking me. is there a widget or a program option that will let you close the screen, without immediately setting it to sleep?

posted by camdan to computers & internet (15 answers total)

InsomniaX?
posted by roomwithaview at 8:33 PM on March 10, 2008

This Apple discussion thread suggests that the only 'stock' option is to 'wake' the computer after it's closed using an external keyboard. I can confirm (from our work mbps) that they do wake up if a display, keyboard, and mouse are plugged in. Not sure if the keyboard is the only required option or not.

Software based options include: InsomniaX and SleepLess.

Somewhat surprised apple hasn't created a settings flag for this.
posted by fishfucker at 8:51 PM on March 10, 2008

insomniax here too. free, works great for itunes.
posted by docpops at 9:18 PM on March 10, 2008

Or Caffeine.
posted by cdmwebs at 9:23 PM on March 10, 2008

Caffeine won't stop Mac from sleeping when the lid is closed (I just tested this). It's great at stopping the screen from dimming/ keeping the Mac awake when the lid is UP eg. while watching a movie. I'd go with InsomniaX.
posted by kitkatcathy at 9:33 PM on March 10, 2008

Keep in mind, this may cause the laptop to overheat and/or damage the screen with heat.
posted by qvtqht at 10:16 PM on March 10, 2008

qvtqht: That hasn't been true for a long time. If the machine could be damaged by running it with the lid closed, Apple wouldn't tell you how to do it.
posted by xil at 11:00 PM on March 10, 2008

qvtqht: Also, macbook and macbook pro have no problem running with the lid closed in Windows XP or Vista, with boot camp... Although I probably would not leave my macbook pro running prime95 or the distributed.net client with the lid closed, it does get pretty warm just under normal loads.
posted by thewalrus at 11:03 PM on March 10, 2008

Just set the display to sleep after a couple of minutes. System Prefs > Energy Saver. You keep the computer open but there's no more mocking screen. Make sure your laptop is elevated so it doesn't overheat.
posted by hapax_legomenon at 11:31 PM on March 10, 2008

You only need USB activity to wake the Mac up. If you shut the lid, then unplug a USB hub, it will awake.
posted by mkb at 6:09 AM on March 11, 2008

What I do, is just hit keep hitting the "decrease brightness" button until the backlight turns all the way off. No screen mocking you, computer does not get too hot and you can still hit the space bar or whatever to pause music.
posted by ill3 at 10:16 AM on March 11, 2008

I confirm the InsomniaX solution. Also, there is no overheating issue. Good luck!
posted by stevis at 10:33 AM on March 11, 2008

If you shut the lid, then unplug a USB hub, it will awake.
Yep. This is incredibly annoying when you unplug an iPod after putting the Mac to sleep, but it can come handy.
posted by bonaldi at 10:45 AM on March 11, 2008

FWIW, I can confirm that my closed, connected-to-nothing MBP wakes up for a moment whenever I bump my bluetooth mouse. Then it falls asleep again a few seconds later, presumably because it finds no display... I guess.
posted by rokusan at 12:00 PM on March 11, 2008

III3 (6? 0?) - even with the backlight off, as long as the lid's open, it still mocks me. only from the darkness. i'm not sure if you can truly understand this.

for all the rest of you - insomniax works great. my computer and ryan adams thank you.
posted by camdan at 1:01 PM on March 11, 2008