Waking up a Mac Powerbook

not sure if it will work with the lid shut...

there are various prefernces in the energy saving section of system

ie computer sleep/display sleep

try putting both to never

cheers

Its the inherent problem of trying to use a portable laptop device as a permanent server/controller solution.

Use a laptop as a laptop and get something suited to the task for you home audio. Does not need to be expensive.

You could just lift the lid when you wanted to wake it. 

Yup, that's what I do now, but I don't have room for it on the rack, so its on the floor. This is really an experiment to see if I like the "computer" part of computer audio or if I need to move to a dedicated streamer.  Messing around with the computer is the biggest negative. (Ok, not that it's really that much work....)

Mac laptops will run with the lid shut IF connected to an external screen AND a usb keyboard or mouse. A click of a key or the mouse wakes them up and the laptop screen stays off. 

Any help?

Mutterback, I found this. It's called "No sleep". It is a kernel plugin that allows a Mac laptop to stay awake when you close the lid. It may be worth a look.

I have Caffeine running on my MacBook Pro but that just stops it going to sleep while you are using it with the lid open. It is also on my MacMini but I don't need it cos wake on lan keeps the mini awake.

When you are done experimenting it may be worth getting a MacMini though.

Thanks - that's helpful! Though, in looking around, it also seems that the primary way the powerbooks are vented is through the keyboard - so leaving the CPU running with the lid closed can burn it out.  I think the real answer is the mac mini or dedicated streamer...

Yes that's what I did. I used the MacBook pro to test out various things and when I was happy with what I was doing I purchased a MacMini, Naim DAC and Qnap NAS, then applied all my experiences to setting up the Mini.

I still use the MacBook Pro (my development and test environment) as a test bed for changes like upgrades, new software and config adjustments. I then apply them to the MacMini (my "live" music system). By setting up this way I can apply all the good practices I apply to my work in IT and keep a very stable musical Hi-Fi/computer music system. This is one of the reasons I did not go for a Naim dedicated streaming solution because I felt that I would be exposed to upgrade processes I did not like. Essentially I could be stuck with a "black box" (excuse the pun) where I  was tied to the whims of Naim firmware/software. With the MacMini, I at least have some degree of control over what I choose to run for music and other media plus I can maintain/upgrade using my own procedures.

Having said all that, it is not for everyone.

Thanks - good to hear, as I'm exactly where you were.  I work with computers all day - which means I both can manage them, but also don't want to use them for relaxing with music.  I've held back on the naim streamers as a) I have the Dac, and it seems redundant, b) I totally agree with the upgrade issues - and features such as no air play, other streaming services, etc. Who knows how this will change in the future.

I know what you mean about not wanting the computer to intrude to much into your life if that's what you do for a living. Hence my suggestion that if you are ok with most things computer related then the MacMini is the least intrusive, it just sits quietly on the Hi-Fi rack. For example I have not looked at the mini for any maintenance or troubleshooting in the last 3 months. I have auto update turned off and will probably run it soon to see if there is anything that needs a patch but I read about what each update is going to do and decide whether it's needed as an improvement or a fix. I don't apply everything only if it affects what I am using it for.

It is controlled using the Apple remote from my iPad or iPhone and maintenance is done via screen sharing from the MacBook Pro. Music files are on a Qnap NAS in the office.

Easy, hassle free, economical and sounds great through the Naim DAC.