Turning off Macbook Air Display with External Display Lion v2

http://offlinerockstaracademy.com v2

I had been searching the web and the community forums here for a few hours and finally figured out how to turn off the display on my Macbook Air 2011 running lion and using an external monitor.

With Snow Leopard all you had to do was plug in the external monitor to your MBA then close the lid and wake up the MBA while it was closed. Then you could open up the lid and it would stay off so it would have better air flow and wouldn't get too hot and run the fan all the time.

But ever since Lion, they screwed that up for us.

But after all my searching I finally found someone here give the fix on a MBA.

All you need to do is use a little magnet and put it where the MBA

"I found a solution for this.. my solution is to put a fridge magnet directly right to the return key (about 2 cm away from the right usb port)... so the laptop thinks the lid is closed and so the display is off.. lol.. try it.. it works.."

In this example I used a big yellow magnet just to test it out, but I will be using a small thin magnet for regular use so that it wont mess up my screen if I accidentally close the lid on it.

Also I put a small piece of paper between the magnet and my MBA so that I wont scratch my MBA.

Some will also ask if it is safe to use a magnet on your MBA etc. You are only placing a magnet where the magnet from the lid would go anyway's. Just make sure you don't use a super magnet or something and you should be all good ;-)

Turning off Macbook Air Display when using External Display on Lion

http://offlinerockstaracademy.com

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• mba
• macbook air
• apple
• lion

[harisenbon7777777]

come one ! the NEW 2011 MBA doesn't NEED cooling much. It never gets hot. Maybe a bit warm. Just keep it closed. Don't worry, it is not such and ancient device like that 2006 Mac Book Pro !

[offlinerockstar]

@harisenbon7777777 lol... its not that it overheats, but more that the fan kicks in all the time when its closed and make too much noise when trying to record audio or do screen capture videos.

With it open, it doesnt kick on as much.

[sc0tt88]

There is a terminal command for that, so you don't have to use those magnets and staff.

I've read it a few days ago on the Internet.

You should just open the terminal and paste this:

sudo nvram boot-args="iog=0x0"

And after rebooting the laptop your laptop screen should stay black after opening the lid.

To revert changes, just use this other terminal command:

sudo nvram -d boot-args

Hope I helped you guys!

[offlinerockstar]

@sc0tt88 Thanks for the tip. I still like to just put a magnet there since it so simple and easy to do.

[MTMabowels]

Hey Rockstar.

I found your video really useful. I was labouring under the misapprehension that Lion wouldn't let me use my iMac with my second monitor as an extended screen. Your video clearly shows Lion letting you do that.

Here's a tip fpr you in return. Regarding your slipping magnet, try using a small piece of 'BluTak' on the magnet. It'll stop your magnet slipping down. What's more it won't spoil the finish of your MacBook Air.

[offlinerockstar]

@MTMabowels Thanks for the tip and I will try that ;-)

[offlinerockstar]

@crystalceline Your welcome and thanks for sharing the sweet spot for the 13" MBA

[crystalceline]

Thanks a ton for this! My MBA runs much better now without having to power 2 displays.

For anyone who is wondering about the 13" MBA 2011: the magnet that turn the display off is located on the left side above the USB connector.