Sometimes I wonder how many people use Macs mainly in clamshell mode. I’ve been doing this for the last 10 years or so because working on a laptop is a huge ergonomy antipattern and Apples keyboards are famous for giving RSI.

I would do this but the fan runs much more when closed. As is, I use my 2017 MBP exclusively with the wireless keyboard from my 2008 iMac.

Generally putting something a few mm thick between the two halves, to give an air gap, helps.

Sometimes means the screen won't turn off, so it needs to be manually disabled/turned off instead.

What's clamshell mode?

clamshell mode = with the lid closed

So that you can SSH into it from your server?

Or with external display, keyboard, and mouse.

Why wouldn’t you just get a Mac mini and save $1000s?

Because some people like moving?

Yeah, that's the main reason. I can still use it as a laptop and I bring it with myself when I travel somewhere, but when I'm home, it's pretty much a desktop