NoSleep is a free utility for Mac that allows you to close your MacBook's lid without putting it to sleep. Since the Mac OS doesn't provide the option to set an action to do when the lid is closed, this app can be useful in certain situations. For those who use their MacBook as a server or as a base computer attached to an external display this app can be a great help. You can also use it to let your computer work while you are sleeping or when you want to carry your MacBook around without putting it to sleep. This utility works on MacBook, MacBook Pro and MacBook Air.

NoSleep doesn't really provide a user interface. It comes with a settings pane, that is accessible from the System Preferences. You can choose to disable sleep when the computer is running on AC Adapter or on Battery. Also, it provides the option to start the program on system startup. Besides the preferences pane, a menu bar icon is also supplied which allows you to enable or disable NoSleep's functionality.

You should use this application carefully. Sometimes it is not a good idea to have your computer running with the lid closed because some of the heat is vented through the keyboard and the computer can overheat.

AT Senior editor

Andreea Tigita

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mark walden

This article discusses two different apps but calls it one. No sleep by limit point is commercial and costs 10 dollars and will not prevent computer sleep with lid closed. No Sleep by Prokofiev is freeware and allows the computer to stay awake with the lid closed. The badge displayed in this article is the Prokofiev badge but the user interface described is for the Limit Point program.

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