Spanning questions, MBP

[Vertigo50]

This may be answered elsewhere, but I couldn't find answers to these specific questions. I'm planning to get a MBP, but I want to make sure these things work as I think they will.

1. I plan to plug an external 22" monitor into the MBP, and I want to span the desktop across the laptop monitor and the 22". I assume that I can span with the external on top, and the laptop on the bottom?

2. Also, if I do this, where will the dock end up? Can I specify where I would like the dock to be when spanning, and then have it go back to the laptop when I switch back?

3. Does the MBP have independent settings for the external monitor, so that it automatically uses the right resolution, color settings, etc. for the second monitor whenever you switch it on?

4. Any other issues to be aware of with spanning?

 

[jsw]

All the things you mention are possible. You need to "tell" the Mac where the second monitor is, but it can be anywhere relative to the laptop screen. By default, the dock stays with the laptop, but you can drag it - in the System Preferences...->Displays panel - to the other monitor. Each monitor has it's own settings (resolution, color, etc.), and you can rotate the external displays 90, 180, and 270 degrees if you so desire.

 

[Vertigo50]

Thanks jsw,

Just playing devil's advocate here, but what would happen if I drag the dock to the external monitor, then switch off the second monitor and forget to drag the dock back? Will it pop back onto the laptop automatically, or would I have to reconnect and drag to get it back?

I know this is nit-picky stuff, but I want to make sure I can integrate the MBP into my studio the way I want to.

 

[sturigdson]

all your spanning desires will be managed in the System Preferences > Monitors pane.

When you have a second monitor connected, the mac detects it and sets your system to whatever your specified spanning profile is [ie: dock on the second monitor, etc.]

When you disconnect your second monitor, it reverts to the monitor profile settings you use when you're just using your laptop screen.

 

[Vertigo50]

I pretty much had no doubt that it would work flawlessly. I read that Macs have supported spanning since the 80's, and Windows is just barely starting to get it working in a useful way.

I just wanted to make sure all these small issues were as simple to implement as I thought they would be.

Thanks for input, guys.