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Andrew Stephens · Feb 5, 2004, 03:52 PM

Follow these instructions carefully.

Disconnect all leads etc
Semi close Pb lid leaving a couple of mils open.
Hold Powerbook in one hand with the latch close to ear.
Gently close lid the final few mils
Hear delicate metallic ker-lick sound
Marvel at the joys of apple engineering.

Warning do not repeat this experiment with cheap PC laptops as severe wrist strain may result due to excessive weight.

bkb · Feb 5, 2004, 04:05 PM

Originally posted by Andrew Stephens:
Follow these instructions carefully.

Disconnect all leads etc
Semi close Pb lid leaving a couple of mils open.
Hold Powerbook in one hand with the latch close to ear.
Gently close lid the final few mils
Hear delicate metallic ker-lick sound
Marvel at the joys of apple engineering.

Warning do not repeat this experiment with cheap PC laptops as severe wrist strain may result due to excessive weight.

I do it all the time. It's the mouse button. Apparently - even though it isn't recommended - you can hack the PB to keep working when the lid is closed. Then you fire up iTunes and put the mouse pointer on next track. close powerbook (won't go to sleep) and hook it up to your car/home stereo. now, every time you want to go forward to the next track you squeeze every so slighly and you get the "metallic ker-lick sound" & the next track.

i haven't done it but i agree with your severe wrist strain comment.

BKB.

ibook_steve · Feb 5, 2004, 04:29 PM

Uhhh, I think he's referring to the magnetic latch that comes down to keep the Powerbook closed, not the trackpad button. And it's not a hack to have the machine running with it closed. It's called closed lid mode and it's documented in the user manual.

Steve

bkb · Feb 5, 2004, 04:46 PM

Originally posted by ibook_steve:
Uhhh, I think he's referring to the magnetic latch that comes down to keep the Powerbook closed, not the trackpad button. And it's not a hack to have the machine running with it closed. It's called closed lid mode and it's documented in the user manual.

Steve

Steve,
Of course it's a hack to have you computer running in closed lid mode in the description of my previous post. Why don't you read it again - perhaps a little carefully this time. I'm talking about using it in closed lid mode in your CAR. Are you telling me you just so happen to have an external monitor in your car? And don't confuse it with the dashboard - that's meant to be there.

ibook_steve · Feb 5, 2004, 05:51 PM

You don't need an external monitor for closed lid mode. All you have to do is have a keyboard or mouse attached to wake up the machine while the lid is closed. That's the only requirement. No external monitor necessary. Obviously, running headless is difficult, but if you open the lid then close it again to go back to sleep, reopening the lid gets you back in normal operation.

Steve

Ω · Feb 5, 2004, 07:32 PM

I thought clamshell was bad???

Having the screen 'open' allows heat dissipation to occur.

Or did this change with the AlBooks?

ibook_steve · Feb 5, 2004, 09:20 PM

Most, if not all, Powerbooks since the G3 series have allowed closed lid operation. It's in the manual. That means Apple has obviously designed them to allow that mode of operation without heat concerns. People on this board all seem scared of this mode. If Apple tested it and put it in the manual and made it work, there's no reason not to use it.

Steve

toshigen · Feb 5, 2004, 11:37 PM

Apple itself uses Powerbooks in that closed lid mode in some of it's retail stores. I've gone in a few times and saw where they had 15" powerbooks closed and sitting underneath a 20" LCD monitor, running with an external keyboard and mouse. It's a nice setup, and looks good on a desk too. If only I had the cash to buy a new Powerbook and 20" LCD

mrgaskell · Feb 6, 2004, 12:28 AM

I have been running my Powerbook in closed lid mode for a few days now. I haven't noticed any problems and my PB has run as cool as it ever has. I have it connected to a 19" monitor and am running it with the Apple wireless keyboard and mouse via BT.

Dougmc · Feb 6, 2004, 07:12 AM

Am I the only one that has notice that this thread radically strayed from the original intent of the post?

Yes, I have marveled at the engineering and mechanical wonders of the mechanism used to latch the PowerBook closed. It's cool to watch the two little hooky things come out of the monitor to grab hold of the base itself.

Pretty sweet indeed.

bkb · Feb 6, 2004, 08:59 AM

Originally posted by ibook_steve:
Obviously, running headless is difficult, but if you open the lid then close it again to go back to sleep, reopening the lid gets you back in normal operation.

Steve

I still don't see what you're going to do with a PowerBook in closed-lid mode without an external monitor?

Andrew Stephens · Feb 6, 2004, 03:23 PM

It makes a GREAT hot water bottle on cold nights. And if you keep it plugged in it even stays warm all night!

mattyd · Feb 6, 2004, 03:53 PM

be careful! if you close the lid too slowly, the latch will pop down too soon and bump against the catch. i broke the latch on my TiBook that way (actually a friend broke it because he thought he was being gentle.)

Originally posted by Andrew Stephens:
Follow these instructions carefully.

Disconnect all leads etc
Semi close Pb lid leaving a couple of mils open.
Hold Powerbook in one hand with the latch close to ear.
Gently close lid the final few mils
Hear delicate metallic ker-lick sound
Marvel at the joys of apple engineering.

Warning do not repeat this experiment with cheap PC laptops as severe wrist strain may result due to excessive weight.