App to Turn off Internal Display on MacBook without Clamshell Mode

by Rian

MacBooks are known for its clamshell mode — I think laptop’s popularity plays a big role. It does make sense why it could be more appealing. As of now, maxed out M4 chip is available on both MacBook Pro and Mac Studio, and the heat throttling from form factor is known to be minimal. I’ve seen some professionals jokingly suggesting the IT must have chosen the laptop over Studio, because setting up a UPS for the workstation could cost more.

Without further ado, the standard setup for MacBooks to be used stationary is to put it in clamshell mode with an external monitor. Traditionally, the setup didn’t have much else of a drawback, only the webcam wasn’t available. However, now with the Touch ID in macOS, being able to use the sensor on the machine is something many users would want with laptops; with desktops, your only option to get a Touch ID on your Mac is to buy a Touch ID Keyboard. But opening the lid re-enables the internal display.

Lunar is the freemium, priced at $23 for Pro version, app that does exactly that and more. The feature we are interested in is called “Auto BlackOut”, and it is part of the Pro version. Lunar is marketed as an app to control monitors; so 14 days trial is available to test out the water. $23 for lifetime license for up to 5 Macs isn’t the most expensive utility app I’ve seen, — it would come out around 5 bucks per machine — but I do wish the license was offered in less quantity.

Since Apple Silicon, I think I’m seeing more threads popping up on desktop or laptop question on stationary environment. Aside from the usual analysis focused on Apple Silicon’s power efficiency, I believe there is an argument to be had on the fact that Apple is not selling neither of the biometrics modules as a separate product. It’s clearly doable, as Apple demonstrates with its own Touch ID keyboards. And there are people willing to pay for the convenience of having Touch ID on their desktop Macs while keeping their old favorite keyboards. That is simply not the case yet. There are even DIY projects that remove the ‘bloat’ from Touch ID keyboard into an authenticator sensor. It’s a hack, but it’s a hack that befits the spirit of DIY.

note: Featured image is from Lunar