Be wary of MacBook Air clamshell mode

Why you shouldn't always close the lid.

Author

Leander Kahney
March 19, 2024

Apple’s latest M3 MacBook Air has garnered rave reviews for its sleek good looks and capable performance.

It’s also the first Air with Apple silicon that supports two external displays.

However, running two external monitors requires closing the notebook’s lid — because the M3 chip can only handle two screens at a time.

But there’s a small problem with running the new MacBook Air with the lid closed, especially when pushing the machine to the max. Here’s why you should be wary of running the MacBook Air in clamshell mode.

Also in today’s newsletter:

  • There’s a new iPad Pro with a great-looking OLED screen coming any day now. Here’s why it’s likely pushed back until April.

  • These dirt-cheap noise-canceling headphones offer a lot of the same features as AirPods Max for a fraction of the price. Here’s why we give EarFun’s new Wave Pro headphones the full five stars in our hands-on review.

  • Do you remember the “wicked fast” Mac IIfx? The 1990 machine had a 40 MHz chip, which was exceptional for its time, and it was one of the most heavily hyped Macs of its era. I was so proud when I managed to pick up a used one several years after its debut. I used it mostly for playing Doom, IIRC.

  • Portable CarPlay screens are amazing. They’re a super-easy (and super-cheap) way to add Apple’s infotainment system to older vehicles. This 7-inch screen is on sale for $79 for a limited time.

— Leander Kahney, EIC.

Why you shouldn't use M3 MacBook Air in clamshell mode

Find out about the performance drawbacks of the M3 MacBook Air in clamshell mode. And why they might not affect you.

Wait for OLED iPad Pro might stretch into April [Updated]

Development of a version of iPadOS needed for the 2024 iPad Pro with an OLED screen might delay the tablet’s launch until April.

EarFun’s first over-ear headphones break new ground on value [Review] ★★★★★

Not everyone is willing to pay hundreds for great headphones. If you're one of them, read our 5-star EarFun Wave Pro headphones review.

A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team

Add wireless CarPlay to your vehicle for less than $80

This affordable CarPlay display with touchscreen lets you enjoy features like navigating, calling and listening to tunes while driving.

Power up iPhone, Apple Watch and more with first Belkin Qi2 wireless charging stand

Upgrade your setup with the Belkin BoostCharge Pro 3-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charging Stand with Qi2. Charge your devices in one sleek solution.

Fraggles get frantic in ‘Back to the Rock’ season 2 trailer

Watch Jim Henson's beloved puppet characters learn to work together in a crisis.

A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team

M1 MacBook Air drops to all-time low price of $649

While discontinued, it’s still a great laptop. And right now, you can grab it for its all-time low price after a massive $350 discount.

Master ChatGPT and Google Gemini with these intro to AI courses

Give your resume a boost with these artificial intelligence certification courses. Eduonix presents this $30 AI intro bundle.

Today in Apple history: The ultra-fast Macintosh IIfx speeds into stores

On March 19, 1990, the powerful Macintosh IIfx debuted, sporting a hefty price tag appropriate for such a speedy machine.

Tweetz o’ the day

One more thing ...

❝

We sat on the patio outside his room and talked for two hours. I was really nervous, because he was one of my heroes. And I was also afraid that he wouldn’t be really smart anymore, that he’d be a caricature of himself, like happens to a lot of people. But I was delighted. He was as sharp as a tack. He was everything I’d hoped. He was really open and honest. He was just telling me about his life and about writing his songs. He said, “They just came through me, it wasn’t like I was having to compose them. That doesn’t happen anymore, I just can’t write them that way anymore.” Then he paused and said to me with his raspy voice and little smile, “But I still can sing them.”

— Steve Jobs on meeting Bob Dylan, 2011.

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