Do you guys use an external monitor for your macbook at home?

[hidehide]

I think 13.3" is too small to use it at home..
Im planning to get a monitor..
I found this.. Acer 22" widescreen lcd..$200..
http://www.officedepot.com/ddSKU.do?id=AL2216Wbd

This only support 1680 x 1050..
I heard the macbook can support up to 1920x1200.. but 24" widescreen are too expensive..
Do you guys think this monitor will be good?

 

[Jouten]

Yeah

I got that same exact monitor, you're good.

 

[Gallick]

I use my Macbook's LCD even when at home and I don't really have any problems with the size--mind you, I have 20/20 vision and don't wear glasses or contacts. I would guess that someone who did have contacts or glasses might have eye strain or fatigue issues with the size of the screen.

I do have an Acer AL1916W 19" widescreen LCD monitor that is currently hooked up to my desktop PC (which I don't use all that much). For some reason I haven't picked up a mini-DVI to VGA cable in order to use it yet, but I will eventually.

 

[Veritas&Equitas]

When I have my MBP at home, I hook it up to a 37'' Westy (DVI-->HDMI). Works like a charm! Here's my setup with it (except a BT Mighty Mouse has replaced the old mouse):

 

[siurpeeman]

my macbook is almost always hooked up to an external display, 1680 by 1050. it runs great, so you should be fine.

 

[hidehide]

When I have my MBP at home, I hook it up to a 37'' Westy (DVI-->HDMI). Works like a charm! Here's my setup with it (except a BT Mighty Mouse has replaced the old mouse):

Nice..
But isnt it 37" will be too big? I mean the icon will be very huge.. since the max resolution is only 1900x1200..
I have a frd who can help me get a refurbished 32" widescreen for $38x.. but need to wait..
so I might just go with this.. as someone in here is using that too

Gallick
Thanks.. I dont wear glasses either. but i want a bigger monitor so i can be more relaxing at home..

siurpeeman
What size of monitor do you use??

 

[Diejws]

Nice..
But isnt it 37" will be too big? I mean the icon will be very huge.. since the max resolution is only 1900x1200..
I have a frd who can help me get a refurbished 32" widescreen for $38x.. but need to wait..
so I might just go with this.. as someone in here is using that too

The MacBook Pro can support an external display resolution of about 2560x1600, which is what he/she has.

Personally, I'd really like to get an external monitor (22"-23")for home use (which is where I use the computer 90% of the time anyway), but finances do not support such an endeavor at present.

 

[siurpeeman]

siurpeeman
What size of monitor do you use??

i use the 20" apple cinema display.

 

[DocVT]

Graphics seem great on most large monitors, but how is the text? Are the characters sharp or fuzzy?

 

[tejota1911]

I also use a 20" Apple Cinema Display.

 

[PimpDaddy]

I also use a 20" Apple Cinema Display.

The "stand" for the MBP that you have, looks just like the one used in one of the first posts. Is it an official mac accesory?

I'm thinking of bying an Apple 23'' Cinema Display, when I buy my MBP soon.

 

[BryanLyle]

The "stand" for the MBP that you have, looks just like the one used in one of the first posts. Is it an official mac accesory?

I'm thinking of bying an Apple 23'' Cinema Display, when I buy my MBP soon.

It is a Griffin Elevator. Works nice.

 

[Grasbak]

Probably a stupid question but...

I notice a lot of poeple have their laptops on a stand.... any particualr reason?

 

[gramarye]

Probably a stupid question but...

I notice a lot of poeple have their laptops on a stand.... any particualr reason?

I too would like to know the particular reason. As for looks, it looks more presentable in my opinion. I read that it's unsafe to have the laptop closed while working on an external monitor, partly because of the heat that "dissipates" on the MBP while using. Can this be clarified? I plan to purchase a MBP once software updates, and physical updates come around and I plan to use it on my dell 228wfp 22" monitor.

 

[munckee]

Probably a stupid question but...

I notice a lot of poeple have their laptops on a stand.... any particualr reason?

I bought an iCurve for heat dissipation. A lot of heat escapes off the bottom of a laptop, so providing some extra air circulation underneath helps keep it cool. It also allows room for my two external drive underneath my computer. And it puts the computer at eye-level if you're working on your laptop's screen.

 

[kdum8]

I bought an iCurve for heat dissipation. A lot of heat escapes off the bottom of a laptop, so providing some extra air circulation underneath helps keep it cool. It also allows room for my two external drive underneath my computer. And it puts the computer at eye-level if you're working on your laptop's screen.

Is it ok to run a MBP in clamshell mode, closed, more or less permanantly?

 

[mcarnes]

Probably a stupid question but...

I notice a lot of people have their laptops on a stand.... any particular reason?

The main reason is that the stand keeps it cool and running at peak performance (the fans don't have to run loud, etc). But it also makes it more accessible. The cables are easier to get a grip on since you can grab them from above and beneath.

The Podium CoolPad is a favorite of mine. But there are lots out there.

 

[rockstarjoe]

I have my Macbook hooked to a Dell 24" running at full resolution, and it is fantastic! You'll be happy with your purchase.

 

[Vidd]

I have my Macbook hooked to a Dell 24" running at full resolution, and it is fantastic! You'll be happy with your purchase.

Is it not choppy?
Can you turn the Macbook display off without running it in clamshell mode?

The GMA is apparently decent for most tasks but I'd be surprised if it could run such a large monitor effectively.

 

[jdechko]

tejota1911, can you post a side-by-side pic of the MBP screen next to the 20" screen. Maybe it's the perspective, but the screen looks smaller than I thought it would next to the 15".

 

[kdum8]

I also use a 20" Apple Cinema Display.

Tejota, if you open your MBP screen up and run it simultaneously with
20" monitor do you get two desktops? If so, can it recognise when you move the mouse cursor off one edge of the screen and place it on the other?

 

[Dynamyk]

I had an iBook and I just used it on an iCurve with an external mouse and keyboard.

Now I use my iMac. I like having my Desktop separate from my portable. The only way I use my portable is to go on the couch or bed now.

In your situation if your using you laptop solely and you find the display too small definitely get a screen .

 

[rockstarjoe]

Is it not choppy?
Can you turn the Macbook display off without running it in clamshell mode?

The GMA is apparently decent for most tasks but I'd be surprised if it could run such a large monitor effectively.

It runs the monitor just fine. I would say that it is slightly, slightly less smooth when using Expose, but that is the only choppiness I notice.

I am running the external display only, without running it in clamshell mode. To do this, attach the external monitor, then close the macbook. Using an external mouse, click the mouse to wake it from sleep. Then open the macbook. The internal display will stay off but you can now use the keyboard and trackpad.

 

[hidehide]

As someone asked in the post.. will closing the macbook and just displaying in the external monitor cause heat issue??
Can anyone clarify this matter? Thanks..

 

[gramarye]

I bought an iCurve for heat dissipation. A lot of heat escapes off the bottom of a laptop, so providing some extra air circulation underneath helps keep it cool. It also allows room for my two external drive underneath my computer. And it puts the computer at eye-level if you're working on your laptop's screen.

Thanks for the informative reply. Since a lot of heat dissipates from the bottom of, let's say, a MacBook Pro, a stand like this would hurt it:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834996172

Since there's no breathing at the bottom.

Instead, i'm considering something like this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834999017

would that be good?