How does a MacBook compare to the later iBook G4s when spanning the desktop to an external monitor? My iBook is a bit choppy with Dashboard and Exposé effects at 1024x768 + 1600x1200.
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MacBook performance with an external monitor
- Thread starter Objectivist-C
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I've ran a co-worker's MB on my 24" Dell (1900 X 1200), and it ran as smooth as butter. By "spanning" you mean extend the desktop to the second screen right? I didn't seem to have issues with it, though to be fair he has 2GBs of RAM in that thing.
I connect mine (MBP C2D) to a Sony 32" Bravia 32S2010 (1080i) through VGA and looks great. Although not ultra-hi res but awesome nontheless. I used to have a toshiba Regza 32" and that TV just isn't optimized for this kind of purpose so I suggest you stay away from it...the screen cannot scale to the right size no matter what resolution you set on ur macbook pro.
I record HD content from my cable box to the MBP via firewire and when played back in the Bravia, it's per pixel beautiful...although the frame rate from live TV will be reduced to 24fps which give a cinema feel to them.
I record HD content from my cable box to the MBP via firewire and when played back in the Bravia, it's per pixel beautiful...although the frame rate from live TV will be reduced to 24fps which give a cinema feel to them.
I have 2 gigs of RAM in my MacBook C2D 1.83, and currently have it attached to an external 17" Viewsonic monitor, and for some reason, the performance is noticeably worst with the extended desktop. There are many many more "spinning beachballs" than usual.
However, when I close the lid and run it (so that it only outputs to the monitor) all the problems go away. I'm thinking this is an issue with the GMA 950 graphics.
I'm thinking of trading this one in and upgrading to a MacBook Pro.
However, when I close the lid and run it (so that it only outputs to the monitor) all the problems go away. I'm thinking this is an issue with the GMA 950 graphics.
I'm thinking of trading this one in and upgrading to a MacBook Pro.
I don't see how that would factor in since the GMA950 shares RAM with your system. I have 2 gigs of RAM, and activity monitor shows over 1GB unused, even while in extended desktop.
Anyone else with this problem?
I should mention that I installed generic RAM instead of "recommended for Apple RAM"
Yes.
I'm using my CD MB with screen spanning for normal use, but not for demanding games - switching to just using one display improves performance drastically.
Yeah, it would split the RAM.
Rather than use your monitor in clamshell mode, can you leave your laptop open, turn off the screen, and use the external monitor? I like the MacBook keyboard.
Rather than use your monitor in clamshell mode, can you leave your laptop open, turn off the screen, and use the external monitor? I like the MacBook keyboard.
How would you turn your MacBook monitor off? The only way I know is to close the lid, put it to sleep and then use an external keyboard to wake it up... is there an easier way?
So that explains it.... I think I'm definitely trading this thing in... only a month old, too. Shame...
I would like to know too... cause when I connect my macbook to my 24 inch dell 2407 I just want to use the big screen not both
that wouldnt make any difference though because the graphics card will still be displaying the screen just the brightness would be reduced. Im sure performance would be increased when the screen is turned off (just before sleep or something chosen in energy saver) however when you went to use the keyboard on the macbook the screen would wake again. What happens when you press the monitor button on the keyboard, is there an option to just use the external display alongside mirror and extended desktop?