johngar

Q: split screen on secondary monitor

I have an iMac (OS 10.11) and an old Apple Studio Display. Split screen works on the iMac screen but not on the secondary screen. I have tried moving the menu bar to the secondary screen but this has no effect. Is it possible to use split screen on the secondary monitor?

OS X El Capitan (10.11), Airport extreme

Posted on Oct 4, 2015 2:43 PM

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Q: split screen on secondary monitor

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  • by Barney-15E,

    Barney-15E Barney-15E Oct 4, 2015 5:35 PM in response to johngar
    Level 9 (50,401 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 4, 2015 5:35 PM in response to johngar

    It is possible on a secondary monitor, but there are some issues with the capability being limited due to resolution.

  • by johngar,

    johngar johngar Oct 4, 2015 8:17 PM in response to Barney-15E
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Accessibility
    Oct 4, 2015 8:17 PM in response to Barney-15E

    OK if I am willing to endure lower resolution, how do I do it?

  • by jimmywong1111,

    jimmywong1111 jimmywong1111 Oct 4, 2015 10:34 PM in response to johngar
    Level 1 (49 points)
    Desktops
    Oct 4, 2015 10:34 PM in response to johngar

    You can increase or reduce the resolution by heading to:

     

    System Preferences >  Display

     

    The display preferences for your display will be displayed on your secondary monitor.

     

    Adjust settings and try again.

  • by Barney-15E,Solvedanswer

    Barney-15E Barney-15E Oct 5, 2015 4:33 AM in response to johngar
    Level 9 (50,401 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 5, 2015 4:33 AM in response to johngar

    johngar wrote:

     

    OK if I am willing to endure lower resolution, how do I do it?

    If anything, you need more resolution, not less.

    The system needs the visual space to shrink the windows and place them side-by-side. If there isn't enough pixels to do that with sufficient resolution, it just won't allow it.

  • by johngar,

    johngar johngar Oct 5, 2015 2:03 PM in response to Barney-15E
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Accessibility
    Oct 5, 2015 2:03 PM in response to Barney-15E

    Your answer explains my experience. The secondary monitor is listed as 1024x768. One window, e.g. Mail ,can be reduced, but a second window, e.g. Calendar, is listed as "Not available for full screen" Exchanging the two windows gets the same result. So without buying a second monitor with the same resolution as the iMac, I am stuck. Thanks for your help.