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Macbook+ External display?

A

asphalt-proof

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Aug 15, 2003
584
0
Magrathea
I am planning on buying a macbook or macbook pro later on this year. I want to be able to hool it up to a 24" or bigger display. Is this possible with the macbook or would I have to get the pro instead. Mainly, this will setup will be for watching movies/tv shows in the bedroom, light gaming, and iLife stuff. I want to be able to do this with the macbook to keep the cost down.

Also, can the laptops be run with the lids closed (for movie watching)? Thanks in advance.
Pete
 
For larger than 24" you will need the pro. There's a thread down lower about someone having problems with a 23" display, you might want to have a hunt about for it. I saw it a little while ago.

They can work with the lid closed - just hook it up with the lid closed and plug in a usb device to wake up the laptop.
 
Thanks for the information. I was wondering... if the display was NOT an ACD would it still require a dual dvi? I really doubt that I will go higher than 24" but you never know.:D
 
j26 said:
For larger than 24" you will need the pro. There's a thread down lower about someone having problems with a 23" display, you might want to have a hunt about for it. I saw it a little while ago.

They can work with the lid closed - just hook it up with the lid closed and plug in a usb device to wake up the laptop.
Click to expand...

When you say 'Pro" are you referring to the MBP or the Big Mac Pro (the desktop)?
 
As soon as I can afford it, I'll be getting an external display for my MB so this thread has been very useful. I want to find a monitor that is both good looking and affordable though and I'm having real issues.
 
j26 said:
They can work with the lid closed - just hook it up with the lid closed and plug in a usb device to wake up the laptop.
Click to expand...


Note that it will only work closed if the A/C adapter is plugged in, as well.
 
Yes a 24 inch will work fine with the Macbook.

Also the 30 inch monitor will not work with the Macbook but a 30 inch TV will, the difference is in the resolution not the screen size.

Also you can run the Macbook with the lid close using a usb mouse or keyboard or using an app called insomniacx

http://semaja2.net/insomniaxinfo
 
Just to be clear - computer monitors and TVs are different. If you bought a 42" Plasma TV odds are the Macbook would run it fine.
 
7on said:
Just to be clear - computer monitors and TVs are different. If you bought a 42" Plasma TV odds are the Macbook would run it fine.
Click to expand...

Would the macbook run a 42" LCD TV? I know there is a difference betweena tv and a computer monitor but do the icons come out fuzzy, the resolution noticably less on the TV? Would games look crappy?
 
Yes the macbook could drive a 42 inch LCD, icons and text will look fuzzy but when you're watching HD or ED videos or playing games it should be fine. Just don't do work on a 42 inch LCD.
 
Widescreen?

If I were to buy a third party monitor, does it have to be of widescreen resolution to work with the macbook? I'm not sure how the resolution would translate to the external monitor. Thanks!
 
tipdrill407 said:
Yes a 24 inch will work fine with the Macbook.

Also the 30 inch monitor will not work with the Macbook but a 30 inch TV will, the difference is in the resolution not the screen size.

Also you can run the Macbook with the lid close using a usb mouse or keyboard or using an app called insomniacx

http://semaja2.net/insomniaxinfo
Click to expand...

To run the 24" at native resolution, you need to connect DVI not VGA however. Big drawback. I'd like to connect my Dell 2405 to my VGA while my PC is running through the DVI.
 
jerkstore said:
If I were to buy a third party monitor, does it have to be of widescreen resolution to work with the macbook? I'm not sure how the resolution would translate to the external monitor. Thanks!
Click to expand...

Doesn't have to be widescreen, it's treated as a separate desktop so it will run at it's native resolution.

I think the largest 4:3 screen you could plug in would have a resolution of 1600x1200 (not many 4:3 LCDs with resolutions higher than that) so you'd have the internal display running at 1280x800 and the external running at 1600x1200 (or whatever the native res is of your other screen), but it doesn't have to be a widescreen display.
 
Chundles said:
Doesn't have to be widescreen, it's treated as a separate desktop so it will run at it's native resolution.

I think the largest 4:3 screen you could plug in would have a resolution of 1600x1200 (not many 4:3 LCDs with resolutions higher than that) so you'd have the internal display running at 1280x800 and the external running at 1600x1200 (or whatever the native res is of your other screen), but it doesn't have to be a widescreen display.
Click to expand...
yepp. i have my MB hooked up to a Dell 1907.. not widescreen, but it works well.

i'd definitely prefer a widescreen though.. so if you can afford it, i'd suggest it.
 
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