Curious why people use clamshell mode, especially on the new 14/16 MBP with those gorgeous screens. You are paying for that lovely screen which can be used as an additional screen, but instead decide to run in clamshell mode.

I have a 14", and it stays in clamshell mode 95% of the time, as it's connected to my Studio Display.

I'd rather use a standalone keyboard + Magic Trackpad, and having the screen 'open' doesn't really add value to my productivity vs. using the Studio Display. Plus, I have limited desk space, so the MacBook sits in a vertical stand (in clamshell) next to my desk.

LiE_ said:

Curious why people use clamshell mode, especially on the new 14/16 MBP with those gorgeous screens. You are paying for that lovely screen which can be used as an additional screen, but instead decide to run in clamshell mode.

I keep the 14" on a shelf underneath my desk to reduce clutter. I want a decent keyboard and a mouse, and the 14" screen is too small to add any value at all to my workflow.

Having the MPB off the side as an extra screen doesn’t stop you from using a separate keyboard and mouse?

BeatCrazy said:

I have a 14", and it stays in clamshell mode 95% of the time, as it's connected to my Studio Display.

I'd rather use a standalone keyboard + Magic Trackpad, and having the screen 'open' doesn't really add value to my productivity vs. using the Studio Display. Plus, I have limited desk space, so the MacBook sits in a vertical stand (in clamshell) next to my desk.

How does it go with the studio display?

LiE_ said:

Having the MPB off the side as an extra screen doesn’t stop you from using a separate keyboard and mouse?

Are you interested in answers to your original question? Or merely need to express your views?

My reasoning is decidedly dumber than that of the posters before me...

Generally, I use it open sitting in between my two external displays. Love having that spare smaller screen to punt stuff over when I don't need it in my face but I don't want it closed yet. Occasionally though, I'll use it in clamshell mode so my cats can see out the window (my desk is in front of a window / MacBook sits dead center). I also tend to use it in clamshell mode at night or when playing a game on my externals; reduces the ambient light in the room.

Sometimes I would rather just use my ultra wide for more viewing space. 🤷‍♀️

The display I use when docked is bigger albeit less color accurate and my field of view is well taken care of, no need to use the internal display as it would correlate negatively with overall productivity.

As for arguing about missing out on the gorgeous new displays, I use my laptop on the go more than enough for me not percieve this as an issue.

I never understood this either.

Apple makes incredible desktops for people who want to connect a larger display. Use the right tools for the job. Buy a desktop Mac for work at the desk, and use your MacBook Pros as laptops when you need them.

Simples.

dumastudetto said:

I never understood this either.

Apple makes incredible desktops for people who want to connect a larger display. Use the right tools for the job. Buy a desktop Mac for work at the desk, and use your MacBook Pros as laptops when you need them.

Simples.

These posts bug me. What in the world do you know about "people" and their needs?

I use my M1 Air at work, when I'm at my office, it's in clamshell mode. I just take the laptop out of my bag and connect it via one USB-C cable, and I'm ready to work. When I'm out in the field, or at home, I have a laptop with a good screen and keyboard to use.

How on earth would it be easier for me to use two machines? And my employer - is it reasonable to assume that they will hand out two computers? To all employees? Two machines to buy, configure and support?

You have an opinion and a specific use case - and that's perfectly fine. But nobody's interested in you telling everybody how they should do stuff.

Simples.

absolutely

doolar said:

These posts bug me. What in the world do you know about "people" and their needs?

I use my M1 Air at work, when I'm at my office, it's in clamshell mode. I just take the laptop out of my bag and connect it via one USB-C cable, and I'm ready to work. When I'm out in the field, or at home, I have a laptop with a good screen and keyboard to use.

How on earth would it be easier for me to use two machines? And my employer - is it reasonable to assume that they will hand out two computers? To all employees? Two machines to buy, configure and support?

You have an opinion and a specific use case - and that's perfectly fine. But nobody's interested in you telling everybody how they should do stuff.

Simples.

Click to expand...

this 100%. Any corporate / office setting i have ever worked in has us on a laptop to work around the office/ in meetings/home, and a dock with monitors at our desk. Be it Mac or Windows setups. it's absurd to say "right tool" in this situation.

Ray2 said:

Are you interested in answers to your original question? Or merely need to express your views?

I just found it an odd reason, like having the laptop open somehow forces you to use the built in keyboard and mouse.

The 14" or the 16" screens are too small to be really useful for me when I can dock. They have to work when I'm mobile, because there's no other way (I have 16"). So even when I'm docked to one or multiple larger screens, what should I do with these tiny screens? I don't like going back and forth between larger screens and these small ones. So the only thing that comes to mind that would work for me is showing emails or a calendar as an overview. So in the end I usually end up working with two or three 27" displays or ultra wide screens, depending on where I am (home, office or lab).

LiE_ said:

Curious why people use clamshell mode, especially on the new 14/16 MBP with those gorgeous screens. You are paying for that lovely screen which can be used as an additional screen, but instead decide to run in clamshell mode.

...because you might have a better screen lmao?

Missing the point for most of this thread - must be me?
You have the capability - and, the option, to use an external display in different ways.
And, you want to have a larger screen to use from a fixed location. That's a good use for clamshell mode. Keep the actual laptop out of the way, if you like, for your particular use. Have a second (or third) screen if you have that need, just by opening the lid. Seems a good option, at least for some uses. And, the clamshell use gives you a decent enough desktop experience -- with the extra option within seconds to unplug, and go completely portable. It's a decent enough choice for many user's needs (not for everyone, of course). As computer life is all about options/choices, clamshell mode is simply one of those options.

dumastudetto said:

I never understood this either.

Apple makes incredible desktops for people who want to connect a larger display. Use the right tools for the job. Buy a desktop Mac for work at the desk, and use your MacBook Pros as laptops when you need them.

Simples.

Yes, why use one computer to accomplish two tasks when you can waste money on another computer for absolutely no reason? Simples.

Dealmans said:

How does it go with the studio display?

Works great!

LiE_ said:

I just found it an odd reason, like having the laptop open somehow forces you to use the built in keyboard and mouse.

You chose to ignore the part about preferring a larger screen.

LiE_ said:

Curious why people use clamshell mode, especially on the new 14/16 MBP with those gorgeous screens. You are paying for that lovely screen which can be used as an additional screen, but instead decide to run in clamshell mode.

I use my MacBook Air in clamshell mode almost all the time. However, I didn’t get a Mac mini because I occasionally take my MacBook Air to the library or when I travel, and with a $300 price difference between the Mac mini and the MacBook Air I might as well go for the laptop.

In the Intel days, I had both a modern iMac and a somewhat older MacBook Air. But with Apple Silicon there is hardly any performance difference between laptops and desktops, so now I only have a laptop which I use in clamshell mode. I’m quite happy that now I only have to buy one computer instead of two!

dumastudetto said:

Apple makes incredible desktops for people who want to connect a larger display. Use the right tools for the job. Buy a desktop Mac for work at the desk, and use your MacBook Pros as laptops when you need them.

That's the case when a desktop is more powerful or not as noisy than a laptop and you need that power. With Apple, that's only the Mac Pro and the Studio with a M1 Ultra. There's no point in getting a Studio with M1 Max, Mac Mini or iMac when you know you have to be mobile eventually as the M1 Max is available in the MBP as well and just as powerful as the desktop versions.

BeatCrazy said:

I have a 14", and it stays in clamshell mode 95% of the time, as it's connected to my Studio Display.

Exact same setup as me and I love it.

Arctic Moose said:

You chose to ignore the part about preferring a larger screen.

I'm not asking why people prefer to use the larger screen over a laptop screen, but rather why people decide to waste the extra screen on the laptop when driving an external monitor.

I understand there are valid reasons for it and there is no wrong answer. As I mentioned in the OP I'm curious, as I see quite a lot of people running their MPBs in clamshell mode almost exclusively.

MisterSavage said:

Exact same setup as me and I love it.

I've got a 14" coming and already have a Studio Display, but I rarely see people use their MPB screens as an additional screen.

LiE_ said:

I'm not asking why people prefer to use the larger screen over a laptop screen, but rather why people decide to waste the extra screen on the laptop when driving an external monitor.

I understand there are valid reasons for it and there is no wrong answer. As I mentioned in the OP I'm curious, as I see quite a lot of people running their MPBs in clamshell mode almost exclusively.

Because they were only ever going to use one screen anyway. Whether that’s a Mac Mini or a laptop is irrelevant. Some people either don’t have the desk space or just prefer one screen.