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I've got a MacBook 7,1 and I'd like to keep it running iTunes when I close the lid. How can I do that?

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if MacOS is at all similar to Windows then you would need to change the settings that determine what behavior the OS uses when the lid is closed to do nothing, rather than whatever behavior it uses now. hopefully someone with experience in MacOS can be more explicit. –  Xantec Nov 9 '10 at 21:27
@Xantec Nice try. There's no setting for that. –  Daniel Beck Nov 9 '10 at 21:46
I just turn down the display light (lowest level = off) and keyboard lights whenever I want iTunes to continue playing. Collects a bit of dust, unfortunately. –  Daniel Beck Nov 9 '10 at 21:48
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2 Answers

up vote 0 down vote accepted

The InsomniaX folks mention Sleepless, a commercial competitor (9.50 USD). At least it's obviously compatible with SL.

This application is used to prevent the computer from going to sleep without changing system settings.

ATTENTION! Using your Mac with closed lid can lead to serious system heat problems!

ATTENTION Snow Leopard users! You need to use version 2.7 and up.

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Looks like Sleepless would be the answer, but I'm not looking into that anymore. I just wanted that information as a one-time thing. Thanks! –  Moshe Nov 11 '10 at 0:02
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A software solution is InsomniaX

A hardware solution is Apple Portables: How to use your computer in closed clamshell (display closed) mode with an external display and also here

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Has anyone used InsomniaX successfully on 10.6 SL? I'm a bit reluctant to install a kernel extension from 2006 (10.4 Tiger was the latest and greatest OS)... –  Daniel Beck Nov 10 '10 at 10:34
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