Have you ever wished you could close your laptop lid to save desk space but still have your external monitors stay on and fully functional? This is a common setup for many people, especially those using a docking station at a home office. The good news is that this is almost always possible, and it’s a simple setting to change.
By default, most laptops are set to go to sleep or hibernate when you close the lid. This is a great power-saving feature for when you’re on the move, but it can be frustrating when your laptop is acting as a desktop computer. Let’s look at how you can adjust this behavior.
Adjusting Your Laptop’s Power Plan
The solution lies within your computer’s power settings. Both Windows and macOS allow you to customize what happens when you close the lid. You don’t need any special software; it’s a built-in feature waiting to be activated. This gives you full control over your workstation’s behavior.
How to Change the Setting in Windows
For Windows users, the process is straightforward. First, open the Start Menu and type “Control Panel,” then select it. Navigate to “Hardware and Sound” and click on “Power Options.” On the left-hand side, click on “Choose what closing the lid does.” You will see options for both “On battery” and “Plugged in.” For the “Plugged in” column, change the drop-down menu for “When I close the lid” to “Do nothing.” Finally, remember to click “Save changes.” Now, when your laptop is plugged into power, closing the lid will keep everything running.
Configuring Your Mac to Stay Awake
If you’re using a Mac, the process is just as simple, though the setting is a bit hidden. You will need a third-party app, as macOS doesn’t have a native toggle for this. A popular and free tool called Amphetamine is available in the Mac App Store. After installing it, you can easily start a session that prevents your Mac from sleeping, even when the lid is closed. This is perfect for extended work sessions with external displays.
A Quick Note on Laptop Cooling
When you use your laptop with the lid closed, ensure it has plenty of ventilation. The laptop will generate heat, and a closed lid can trap it. Make sure the vents on the sides and bottom are not blocked to prevent overheating and maintain optimal performance.
With just a few clicks, you can create a much cleaner and more efficient desk setup. This small change allows your laptop to function seamlessly as a powerful desktop computer, giving you the best of both worlds without any compromise.
Leave a Reply