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Dual Monitors - iMac

joelw135 said:
I think it is the same I just ordered, I hope it is correct.
48511.jpg
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Do that is a Mini DVI to DVI? Why is it so short? How do you supposed to spread out your monitors with that?

Also, do I need analog+digital, or does just digital work? What if it didn't have analog? I don't understand the difference if you have just digital or both. What can't you do with just digital that would work with analog?
 
pjk said:
Do that is a Mini DVI to DVI? Why is it so short? How do you supposed to spread out your monitors with that? I'm thinking you/I will need a DVI-VGA, as mentioned in that thread.
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It's just an adapter, not a cable. The little end plugs into the back of the iMac, and you connect the cable that should have come with your monitor to the other end.
 
bigjnyc said:
would the new $899 apple cinema display work with the imac? it would make sense since they look exactly alike, but the new monitor has that new connector that comes on the new laptops. anyone know?
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Unfortunately no, since the new display only comes with cables and they are only the new (proprietary) miniDisplayPort that is only used on the new MB and MBP.
 
In my displays on my 17" iMac, the max is 1140x900, which it is set at.

If I buy say a 24" LCD monitor and extend it over, will that be a problem? Also, what setting do I have to change to make both monitors work? Thanks
 
pjk said:
In my displays on my 17" iMac, the max is 1140x900, which it is set at.

If I buy say a 24" LCD monitor and extend it over, will that be a problem? Also, what setting do I have to change to make both monitors work? Thanks
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If you set the new display to extend the desktop, then resolution can be set on each monitor independently and this won't be a problem. If set to mirror, then the maximum resolution is the maximum that is common between the 2, or 1140x900 in this case.
 
I was doing some research on what monitor to buy as a second display with my 24" iMac and I came across the 22" Gateway FPD2275W.

It got good reviews from CNET editors and consumers and the price was right, but when I was looking at a comparison of it and the Apple Cinema Display, I noticed that it says it is only compatible with PCs even though it has a DVI input and I have the required mini DVI - DVI adapter. Can monitors really PC- or Mac-only?
 
danny_w said:
If you set the new display to extend the desktop, then resolution can be set on each monitor independently and this won't be a problem. If set to mirror, then the maximum resolution is the maximum that is common between the 2, or 1140x900 in this case.
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Great, thanks. What setting do I turn on to enable the dual monitor? Thanks
 
pjk said:
Great, thanks. What setting do I turn on to enable the dual monitor? Thanks
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Just plug the cable in and the iMac will sense that it now has 2 monitors. Bring up System Preferences and click Display; this will open a display preferences window on each display. I believe there will be a check box on the main display (I don't remember if it is called Mirror or Extend). If set to Extend mode you will be able to set the resolution separately on each display. You can also change the arrangement of the displays (which is on the left and which is on the right), as well as which is the main display (drag the menu bar to whichever display you want as the main display).
 
Thanks Danny_w.

IgnatiusTheKing said:
I was doing some research on what monitor to buy as a second display with my 24" iMac and I came across the 22" Gateway FPD2275W.

It got good reviews from CNET editors and consumers and the price was right, but when I was looking at a comparison of it and the Apple Cinema Display, I noticed that it says it is only compatible with PCs even though it has a DVI input and I have the required mini DVI - DVI adapter. Can monitors really PC- or Mac-only?
Click to expand...
I'm wondering the same thing. I was looking into that same monitor, and was about to ask the same question. Does anyone know?
 
pjk said:
Thanks Danny_w.


I'm wondering the same thing. I was looking into that same monitor, and was about to ask the same question. Does anyone know?
Click to expand...
I think the only thing PC about it is the software utility that comes with it. I have the 24" Gateway FD2400 and it has a windows-only utility, but you can normally get the same results with System Preferences on a Mac so you don't really need it anyway.
 
danny_w said:
I think the only thing PC about it is the software utility that comes with it. I have the 24" Gateway FD2400 and it has a windows-only utility, but you can normally get the same results with System Preferences on a Mac so you don't really need it anyway.
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Great, thanks. I plan on getting an HP then.... since the software shouldn't really matter.
 
I was able to get a good deal on a new HP 22", so I got that.

Now I need to get a cable.

How do I know whether I need a Mini DVI - VGA, or a Mini DVI - DVI? I want to order the cable ASAP, so any help is greatly appreciated. I got a HP w2207 22" LCD monitor.
 
pjk said:
I was able to get a good deal on a new HP 22", so I got that.

Now I need to get a cable.

How do I know whether I need a Mini DVI - VGA, or a Mini DVI - DVI? I want to order the cable ASAP, so any help is greatly appreciated. I got a HP w2207 22" LCD monitor.
Click to expand...

VGA cables look like this:
00607.jpg


DVI looks like this:
hd_connectors%5Cdvi_connector.jpg


Look at the back of the monitor and pick the one that matches the input.
 
IgnatiusTheKing said:
VGA cables look like this:
00607.jpg


DVI looks like this:
hd_connectors%5Cdvi_connector.jpg


Look at the back of the monitor and pick the one that matches the input.
Click to expand...
Great, thanks. I don't actually have it yet, it is being shipped.

I am reading online and it says the 'Signal input' is 'DVI-D, VGA'. Does this mean it supports both? I'd like to order the cable soon so I can have them both in at the same time.
 
pjk said:
I am reading online and it says the 'Signal input' is 'DVI-D, VGA'. Does this mean it supports both? I'd like to order the cable soon so I can have them both in at the same time.
Click to expand...

Yeah that sounds like it has both inputs. Go for DVI.
 
pjk said:
Do that is a Mini DVI to DVI? Why is it so short? How do you supposed to spread out your monitors with that?

Also, do I need analog+digital, or does just digital work? What if it didn't have analog? I don't understand the difference if you have just digital or both. What can't you do with just digital that would work with analog?
Click to expand...

All adapter are short, and for most screens a cable which changes the adaptor from male to female (possibly vice-versa), as they are the same on the monitor and adaptor. However, this particular picture looks like a Mini VGA to DVI, which is the cable used by the iMac G4 (maybe G3), and some iBooks. I know this as I have an iMac G4, and also had an iBook G3 FW which broke.
 
Sorry if this has already been answered before but can I get an external monitor for the MacBook (White, purchased a week before the new ones came out) and have the MacBook's display and the external display active at the same time and use extended desktop? Thanks.
 
johnjay1776 said:
Sorry if this has already been answered before but can I get an external monitor for the MacBook (White, purchased a week before the new ones came out) and have the MacBook's display and the external display active at the same time and use extended desktop? Thanks.
Click to expand...

Yes, of course. You just need the mini-DVI to (probably) DVI adapter.
 
Hey guys.
I got it all hooked up and working now. However, the external monitor is way brighter than the other, and I can't seem to change the brightness.

According to post # 5 on this thread, after hooking up the USB cord, a brightness slider should appear on both monitors, but for me, it only appears on one. When I drag the slider to the other winder and adjust, it still adjusts the main iMac monitor.

Any ideas? Thanks. By the way, I got the Mini-DVI to DVI on eBay for $7 shipped.
 
pjk said:
Hey guys.
I got it all hooked up and working now. However, the external monitor is way brighter than the other, and I can't seem to change the brightness.

According to post # 5 on this thread, after hooking up the USB cord, a brightness slider should appear on both monitors, but for me, it only appears on one. When I drag the slider to the other winder and adjust, it still adjusts the main iMac monitor.

Any ideas? Thanks. By the way, I got the Mini-DVI to DVI on eBay for $7 shipped.
Click to expand...

Is there no brightness control on the monitor itself?
 
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