Dual displays - iMac 24" and 20" ACD

[rotlex]

Before I pick up the mini cable for this, I was wondering if anyone has any experience hooking up an Apple Cinema Display (20 inch) as a 2nd monitor for a 24" iMac? (2.8Ghz 4GB ram machine).

I primarily want to use it for Aperture, to keep my photo and controls separate, and may also do that with the new FCE when I get a copy. What I'm wondering is how is the performance? Can the vid card in the iMac drive both of these satisfactorily?

Thanks for any input.

 

[kkat69]

Can the vid card in the iMac drive both of these satisfactorily?

Thanks for any input.

Yes

 

[chmarch]

I bought the Dell 24" pro back in June to use with my aging Gateway, then got the iMac just a month ago. I ordered the Mini DVI - DVI converter with the iMac, and when it came I plugged everything in. I was amazed at how the iMac not only recognized there was a second display, but also put up a different wallpaper automatically, AND told me the exact model of the secondary display. 20" ACD is DVI-D so no worries on compatibility there. Performance is identical on both displays and the same as without the secondary monitor. Happy customer!

 

[rotlex]

Thanks for the replies on this. Picking up the cable on my way home tonight, and look forward to trying this out.

 

[rworne]

I bought the Dell 24" pro back in June to use with my aging Gateway, then got the iMac just a month ago. I ordered the Mini DVI - DVI converter with the iMac, and when it came I plugged everything in. I was amazed at how the iMac not only recognized there was a second display, but also put up a different wallpaper automatically, AND told me the exact model of the secondary display. 20" ACD is DVI-D so no worries on compatibility there. Performance is identical on both displays and the same as without the secondary monitor. Happy customer!

I did something similar when I got my 24" Al iMac.

I picked up a mini-DVI to DVI adaptor, and used that to plug in my aging Apple LCD monitor from my old Quicksilver. So it went from iMac -> mini-DVI -> DVI -> ADC -> LCD and all is working just fine.

 

[IBitePrettyHard]

I have a related question to that. Can I buy a second monitor for my 24" AL iMac for use in games? The idea is that I could potentially get a monitor with a refresh rate that is higher than 60hz. Would that work, or is the secondary monitor bound to the iMac's native refresh rate?

 

[rotlex]

Just a follow up, as I get excited easily, LOL.

Picked up the cable last night, hooked everything up, and MAN, I'm sold! First, hookup was a cinch. OS X set everything up right on boot. Second, and mind you, I have never run dual monitors before....THIS IS AWESOME!

I'm already thinking of great new ways to improve my photo and video workflow, not to mention it's very cool to have a VM running on Fusion on the 2nd monitor, while I have OS X running up on the main one. (Almost like having 2 compupters)!

Anyway, I'm having a blast with this, and should have done it sooner!

 

[thederby]

Just a follow up, as I get excited easily, LOL.

Picked up the cable last night, hooked everything up, and MAN, I'm sold! First, hookup was a cinch. OS X set everything up right on boot. Second, and mind you, I have never run dual monitors before....THIS IS AWESOME!

I'm already thinking of great new ways to improve my photo and video workflow, not to mention it's very cool to have a VM running on Fusion on the 2nd monitor, while I have OS X running up on the main one. (Almost like having 2 compupters)!

Anyway, I'm having a blast with this, and should have done it sooner!

i'm historically a "two screen" guy, but i really don't see the need with spaces. now i just keep my windows VM full screen on another space and can switch between spaces quickly.

ditto for my audio workflow, i just keep my apps in separate spaces.

i originally started using spaces due to the "limited" screen real estate of my mbp, but it's just as helpful on my 24in imac.