Anyone out there with experience running a MacBook or MacBook Pro closed lid with an external monitor, keyboard, and trackpad?
The best I can do is direct you to an app that will prevent your laptop from sleeping while its lid is closed.
NoSleep works fine for me, but its got its detractors on
MacUpdate.
If you intend to use your laptop on the road as well as at home, I recommend v 1.3.0, which is available from two sources
here.