Using Laptop as Desktop.

[CorporalClegg]

I'm going to admit my laptop ignorance here again.

My desktop recently died, and I'm wondering if it's possible to make my laptop function as such when at home.

Essentially, what I'd like to know is, if I plug-in all the various peripherals (mouse, keyboard, monitor, etc.) is it possible to keep in from suspending if I close the lid?

I has Windows 7 if that matters.

 

[Brent]

In Windows 7 you can specify what the lid does when it closes, sleeps, or suspend, or hibernate, or none of the above.

 

[Hedbergian]

If you're going to avoid suspending Windows on a laptop, get yourself an active laptop cooler. I have a Zalman ZM-NC2000 for my macbook pro, and it works wonders.

Also, try speeding up the RPMs on your exhaust fans. Be careful though; set them too fast, and you'll burn them out.

 

[sojourner]

Depends on the laptop as well. I have had laptops that shutdown regardless of the windows settings when the lid was shut.

 

[Snaploud]

A lot of laptops have docking stations you can purchase. The docking station would have all the connections for your peripherals, and your laptop would be connected to the docking station while closed. The laptop would also operate while closed.

I had this set-up during my undergrad degree (while staying in the dorms), and it worked really well.

An example:

http://www.amazon.com/Dell-Replicat...5?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1278998183&sr=8-5

 

[Deks]

Just modify the power settings for your laptop when it's connected to a power socket to never go into standby mode, sleep, hybernation and whatnot, and you'll be fine.

I never had my laptop turn itself off with those kinds of settings.
You probably have to dig deeper into the advanced options for the power savings if you think there might be something there that could turn the laptop off.

Furthermore ... I recommend you look into undervolting your cpu.
It would reduce the voltage on which the cpu runs and therefore reduce the temperature emissions by about 5 do 10 degrees C (sometimes more) WITHOUT affecting performance (because undervolting means finding the lowest voltage at which the cpu runs stable at it's maximum clocks).

This is usually an effective cooling method that work for cpu's and gpu's (discrete ones for the most part).
You can go to www.notebookreview.com and search up more on undervolting.
:-)

Alternatively, yeah, you could get a cooler like Zaolman, though in all honesty, with a good undervolt, it's not really needed.

 

[Yoda]

Why close your laptop lid to begin with? Keep that bastard open and go dual monitor!

 

[Deks]

I agree that there's no need to even close the lid actually.
Merely set your screen to turn itself off after about a minute (before you go to sleep) in the power options and that's it.

If you close the lid and leave the laptop running, generally speaking it should be fine, but keep in mind that the heat will still accumulate and in some rare cases could damage the screen as a result.

Computers (laptops and desktops) were designed to run 24/7 (for laptops this generally goes when you're connected to a power socket of course, and most of the times when you have a decent battery life), so you really shouldn't have issues.

 

[Scout101]

Just get a docking station, and you're fine. Typing from that setup at work right now. Laptop in docking station, with all the monitors, mouse, keyboard, usb stuff attached to that. Works just the same, and push one button, and the laptop comes free of it without having to mess with all the connectors...

 

[CorporalClegg]

I tried looking for a docking station that would work. Most seem like they won't fit.

 

[RandyS]

My laptop (it's an Acer 5515 if that helps) puts the computer in standby mode when I close the lid. When I open it, the password screen comes up and after I enter the password, the computer resumes where I left off. No need to restart windows or anything. I could disable the password function, but I don't since it poses no problems whatsoever.

 

[the 4th hanson bro]

Try a universal docking station - plugs in through a USB port on the laptop -like this