DIY Macbook stand
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- slappy
I would like to build a timber Macbook Pro stand to save room on my desk and help keep the thing cool when I am using it as a desktop with external monitor/mouse/keyboard. I have put an illustration together below to demonstrate what I have in mind.
My question is: will the optical drive accept disks properly when stood up on a stand like this or will it break the drive?
- akrokdesign0
how will you open the laptop?
- ernexbcn0
laptops are meant to be open to work, that design is to keep the laptop closed, which is silly and not really useful.
- jfletcher0
using an external monitor etc.... it can be closed. I use mine like that sometimes...
- good luck on that, you can fry your laptop doing thaternexbcn
- hopefully you guys turn off the display, otherwise is asking for troubleernexbcn
- Uh guys, all Apple laptops have supported this feature since the Intel switch. I run mine closed. No problems.yaphi
- Me too. I have problems but not related to having it closed.TResudek
- All apple laptops supported this way before Intel came along. I run my 5 yr old PowerBook closed all the timealexand
- i have been running my titanium pb like this for well over 5 years. no probsdanthon
- Hey how do you do this. My boss is going bananas trying to get the macbook to work with an external screen and not even the IT department could figured it out how to do it!frannyc28
- slappy0
I dont need the laptop open as I have an external keyboard, mouse and monitor. The laptop doesnt need to be open to be in use.
- akrokdesign0
mmm, i see. but how do you turn on the computer? mine goto sleep as soon I close it.
- there are programs to avoid that, it's called "clamshell mode"ernexbcn
- http://docs.info.app…ernexbcn
- Its a built in function, it knows when you have an external monitor/keyboard/mou... plugged in to turn the laptop screen off and keen machine runningslappy
- ...screen off and keep the machine running.slappy
- sweet.akrokdesign
- open it. wait for login screen. close it. click mouse. log in with it closed on external stuff.meffid
- or use the remote which came with macbook to wake it uppango
- you only need it to be connected to the charger at all times._salisae_
- slappy0
Glad thats all sorted out, so anyone recon the super drive will operate in the above configuration?
- why not flip it side waves. the imac has it.akrokdesign
- Good call! I'll check the part numbers to see if they are the same unit.slappy
- your welcome. :-Dakrokdesign
- slappy0
Can someone with an Intel Imac jump into the system profiler and find out the superdrive model name/number, pretty please?
- slappy 'n' lazy. lol.akrokdesign
- OPTIARC DVD RW AD-5630Aernexbcn
- you rock, thanks.slappy
- HL-DT-ST DVDRW GWA4080MAESKEMA
- Raniator0
nice idea, but have you got a wall behind your desk? prop it up on that?
- blaw0
My concern with the design is that it could be a bit top-heavy. You made need to provide a wider footrprint and/or higher support.
- slappy0
Yeah I will have to experiment with the foot print a bit. I may also need to connect the two legs together to make the whole thing more rigid. I will also probably need some felt or rubber foam to get a good fit. If I find a winning combo then I'll post up the plans :)
- ycats0
I have a simple little stand similar to the one you're making that I use with my MacBook Pro. The drive works fine vertically, and the laptop takes up way less space on my desk.
- skt0
- retro.Jnr_Madison
- touchédesigner4rent
- adjustable legs bitch!!skt
- cool enpugh space for a macbook airmoamoa
- did you got that at urban outfitters?Meeklo
- no, i got it from google image search.skt
- Dancer0
Are hard dives meant to spin well and constantly at 90°?
I would think not...?
- Corvo0
Won't it heat above normal if it's closed?
- pom0
It will heat about normal, since some heat on a MBP escapes via the keyboard, but clamshell mode is built into mbp when running an external monitor so i don't know.
- StratusGD0
To answer the original question, yes, the superdrive will still work.
However, cooling is an issue. MBPs vent a significant amount of air near the monitor hinge. You're putting the vents at the bottom. Hot air rises, so even with the fans, you might have cooling issues since they'll be fighting against basic physics. Since you'll be operating with the laptop closed, you will want to have the vents working as efficiently as possible.
If you're going to put the laptop vertical, I'd turn it 90° so the vents are at the side, not the bottom.
- Gucci0
- cause its heavy?Meeklo
- doubt that'd be good for the drivejkmohr
- and it wouldn't fit in the iPhone dockmimeartist
- it won't,
i tried ;-)meisterschueler
- mg330
FYI on clamshell mode:
The most recent Leopard update and subsequent graphics update causes issues with operating in clamshell mode with an external monitor. I'm a victim of this. Pre-update I could close it and wake it up no problem with bluetooth keyboard or mouse. After the update, it doesn't work, causes all kinds of problems, and the only way to restart after it's frozen is remove the batter and pop it back in.
- Duane0
It should work just fine...