Possibility to use a laptop as desktop having video AND audio over the dock HDMI output, and having the laptop's lid closed, with Mac OS X

So, for what I can understand, I can connect a mini docking station to an Asus Zenbook UX310UA using the USB-C 3.1 port on one side, and get external video on it. However, I do have a special set-up here, and have some doubts about this.

I have Mac OS X installed and woking flawlessly on this laptop. Specifically High Sierra 10.13.4. So, in terms of hardware, I have an ASUS laptop, but in terms of software it is like a MacBook Pro using High Sierra. I’ve read some comments about that OS version having problems with DisplayPort and such, but I only need one HDMI output so I believe I will have no problem. The thing is: do the HDMI output provide sound too using Mac and this docking station? And another question: can I still get video using this with the laptop’s lid closed?

I will explain what I need to do:

I have a laptop that I sometimes want to use as a desktop, connecting it to an external monitor, external keyboard and some other accessories. Of course, when using it as a desktop computer I do not want to see the laptop’s screen, I only want to see the image in the external monitor. In fact, I would like to put the laptop with the lid closed, in a vertical stand, connect it to the docking station using the USB port, and get video and audio on the external monitor. Can this be achieved?

Thanks in advance :slight_smile:

Hi Jorge,

Thank you so much for reaching out to us, I appreciate you sending over such great information, and I would be more than happy to answer your questions!

The big difficulty you may run into is utilizing a hackintosh systems with non-apple hardware. When installing macOS on alternate hardware, some audio, networking, and video devices do not function or work the same way. For instance, in order to utilize an external display with the lid closed on a mac, the device has to go into “clamshell mode” which is a hardware logic structure that essentially looks to see if the magsafe adapter is connected to the system, a keyboard and mouse is attached, and an external display has been configured. Since you do not have a Apple hardware based system this may not function correctly. Also, the way that audio is output via HDMI may also be different with a standard Apple system vs a “Windows 10” system.

Based on the configuration of your system, and what you are looking to do, I would not advise utilizing our products to achieve your optimal configuration. There are a lot of what-ifs and unsupported aspects that may cause issues down the line, especially regarding USB-C VESA Alt-Mode on a non-support macOS system functioning correctly.

I hope this information helps, please let me know if you have any additional questions or concerns, and I would be more than happy to assist.

Thank you for your patience,
Marc
Product Owner & Technical Support
www.plugable.com/support

Excellent answer, Marc. So, on a MacBook, this can be achieved without any problem, right? Using video over the HDMI with the lid closed and with audio output. The problem in my case is, of course, that it is a hackingtosh.

Being aware of this and thanks to your answer, I may give this a chance, and if it does not work at all, or work but with limitations, I knew beforehand where I was going and which problems I may be encountering.

Thanks again.

Hi Jorge,

No problem! This configuration would work completely if the system was original Apple Hardware, and not a hackintosh system. The UD-CAM is one of our most popular mac devices, due to its lack of additional drivers required.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to us directly at support@plugable.com in the future if you have any additional questions or concerns, and I would be more than happy to assist.

Thank you for your patience,
Marc
Product Owner & Technical Support
www.plugable.com/support