Closing Laptop Screen but Not turning off Macbook

[Northern-Reaper]

Hello and thanks for reading.

I just bought a 24" screen for my macbook so i can really enjoy movies in my room. I was wondering if there was a way for me to close my laptop screen but still watch the movie ( so i dont see double picture) I know i can dim down the macbook's screen to almost dark but the screen is still on and using power. If anyone knows how to do this please let me know. I know i use to do it on my Compaq laptop so im pretty sure the macs are able also
Thanks in advance everyone

Reaper

 

[DeltaMac]

Sure -
Attach a USB keyboard (maybe just a mouse would do the trick)
Attach your external display.
Close the lid on your laptop, which will put it to sleep.
Press a key on the external keyboard, or click the mouse.
Your system should wake up. The internal display should remain off, and the external display will become the main display.
This is usually referred to as Clamshell mode. Your MacBook is then working as a desktop computer, with a display attached, and a mouse and keyboard, too.

Want the normal operation back?
Put your MacBook to sleep. Then, open the lid on your MacBook, and the 2 displays will be back to whatever settings you were using before...