Using a Macbook / Macbook Pro with an external monitor and the lid down - part 2 - using a bluetooth keyboard

Previously I had discovered how to use my Macbook Pro in lid down mode which was great, especially now that the 1.5.1 EFI firmware upgrade fixes the graphics issues.

On a short term assignment out of my regular office I wanted to use the more travel friendly Apple bluetooth keyboard.

Well its pretty easy really. Pair up the keyboard and Macbook. Put the Macbook to sleep and put the lid down. Let the bluetooth keyboard turn itself off.

Press the button on the right hand side of the keyboard, and you should get wakeup.

If this doesn't work, you need to check that bluetooth can wake the computer. The setting is in Prefs>Bluetooth>Advanced.


For a complete explanation, here's the text from Apple:

If you use an external display or projector with any MacBook Pro, MacBook Pro (17-inch), MacBook or PowerBook G4 with built-in Bluetooth and have a Bluetooth mouse or keyboard, you can close the display and still use the computer. Here's how.

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


2. Verify that Bluetooth is turned on by using the Bluetooth pane of System Preferences or the Bluetooth menu icon.


3. Pair your Bluetooth keyboard or mouse with the computer. For step-by-step instructions, click here for keyboard pairing or click here for mouse pairing.


4. In System Preferences, be sure that the Allow Bluetooth devices to wake this computer option is selected.


5. 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.


6. With the computer turned on and your wireless keyboard or mouse paired, connect the other end of the adapter to the video output port on your notebook.


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


8. Once it's closed, wake the computer up by either clicking your Bluetooth mouse button or by pressing a key on your Bluetooth keyboard.

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

When you are finished using your MacBook Pro, MacBook, or PowerBook G4 in closed-lid mode, the internal display will not come on when you open the lid until you have disconnected the external display. If you want the internal display to enable again, remove the external display connector, put the computer to sleep, and then open the lid. This will toggle the computer to come out of closed-lid mode and once again provide power and a video signal to the internal display.