quick dual display question

[usagent]

Hi...I just bought the 15" PB...upgraded the vram to 128. This might be a silly question, but I'm totally new to this. I want to use my existing desktop monitor as my 2nd display for a dual-display set up. Can I set it up so that the dual displays are vertically one on top of the other and not side by side?

Thanks!

15" PB, 1.67, 80 gig, 128 vram, superdrive
20 gig ipod

 

[wordmunger]

Hi...I just bought the 15" PB...upgraded the vram to 128. This might be a silly question, but I'm totally new to this. I want to use my existing desktop monitor as my 2nd display for a dual-display set up. Can I set it up so that the dual displays are vertically one on top of the other and not side by side?

Thanks!

15" PB, 1.67, 80 gig, 128 vram, superdrive
20 gig ipod

Well, since no one has replied yet, I think the answer is yes. I don't have an extra monitor around to try it out, but I think you can arrange the monitors as needed in the Displays prefs window.

 

[mfacey]

Well, since no one has replied yet, I think the answer is yes. I don't have an extra monitor around to try it out, but I think you can arrange the monitors as needed in the Displays prefs window.

Just to be clear: this is definitely possible! Just click the arrangement tab in the display prefs in system prefs. Simple as that.

 

[usagent]

Thanks! I can't wait to set it up! I'm really looking forward to the arrival of the PB...hopefully Monday. This is my first Mac ever!

 

[blodwyn]

I use this configuration every day at work. You can also drag the white line representing the menu bar to the external monitor if you want. This makes more sense if your external display is the top monitor, which is probably the case.

When you plug/unplug the external monitor, the PB will automatically figure out what to do and reposition the menu bar and desktop icons.

The only thing to watch for is if you close an application which has a window open on the external display, then unplug the display, and then restart the application. In some cases the window opens where the screen used to be, so you can't see it on the main PB screen. This is a real nuisance as I haven't found a good way to access the window to drag it onto the main PB screen. You can see it in Expose, but can't grab it, DOH! Some applications seem to figure out that there's no screen attached any more, and reposition the window where you can get to it, but others are oblivious.