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Mac Mini vs. laptop on the cart


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One of the main reasons some have wanted to go to a Mac Mini setup as opposed to using their PowerBook or Mac Book Pro laptop has been the difficulty and inconvenience of the laptop form factor when trying to use it on a cart shelf. The advantages of using the laptop over a Mac Mini are obvious: no DCD powering problems, for example, and the biggest advantage --- you may already own the laptop and not have to purcdhase a Mac Mini. I may be th first to find this out (or the last if everybody already knows this) but how about using the laptop with an external monitor and keyboard and the screen CLOSED with the laptop tucked away on a slim shelf? See below an Apple Knowledge Base article about this. As they say in Australia, "too easy". Looks like it shouldn't be a problemn to do this.

How to use your PowerBook G4 or MacBook Pro with the display closed

If you use an external display or projector with any MacBook Pro or PowerBook G4 and a USB mouse or keyboard, you can close the display and still use the computer. Here's how.

(If you want to do the same thing with a Bluetooth mouse and keyboard, see this article.)

Make sure the computer is plugged in to an outlet using the AC power adapter.

Connect a USB keyboard and mouse to your computer.

Connect the Apple video (VGA or DVI) adapter that came with your computer to the appropriate port on the external display or projector and turn the display or projector on.

With the computer turned on and your keyboard or mouse connected, connect the other end of the adapter to the video output port on your MacBook Pro or PowerBook G4.

Once your computer's Desktop appears on the external display, close the computer's lid.

Once the lid is closed, wake the computer up by either clicking your mouse button or by pressing a key on your keyboard.

You should now be able to use your MacBook Pro or PowerBook G4 as you normally would, using your USB keyboard or mouse.

To disconnect your MacBook Pro or PowerBook G4 from the display after use:

When you have finished using the external display and you're ready to disconnect it from your computer, you will usually want to put the computer to sleep before you remove the VGA or DVI connector from the computer.

Some DVI displays, including Apple's aluminium-framed DVI displays, can be unplugged without putting the computer to sleep. If you aren't sure whether your display supports this feature, put your computer to sleep before unplugging the display.

Regards,  Jeff Wexler

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See below an Apple Knowledge Base article about this. As they say in Australia, "too easy". Looks like it shouldn't be a problemn to do this.

How to use your PowerBook G4 or MacBook Pro with the display closed

Well, again as the phrase goes "too easy" often means it will never happen. Darren Brisker has pointed out a fatal flaw in this whole lid closed scenario (re-posted from private email):

The PB has to have CONTINUOUS AC

power.  As soon as you lose the AC power, the PB goes to sleep (when

using an ext. monitor with the PB's lid down).  This is a real shame

and a bit of a deal breaker as what would happen if someone kicked out

your power during a take?

Best,

Darren Brisker

-and my reply:

I didn't realize that was a part of the "grand design" of power management and stuff. That is a bit of a deal breaker. Just when I thought this might all be settled. One of the primary reasons I was thinking that a laptop is preferable to the Mac Mini is the whole powering issue --- the laptops expect to have AC available, then not available (revert to onboard battery) or external DC via car adapter or airline plug, etc. With this problem of SLEEP being affected by the powering scheme being used, that sucks.

Regards,  Jeff Wexler

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