Does Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection Support Dual Monitors????
I work in a PC environment with dual monitors and am considering purchasing my firs Mac. Does anyone know if Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection Client for Mac 2.0.1 supports dual monitors? I need to be able to access from home and have the same view as I do at the office (two screens).
Also, if it does have the dal monitor capability, does anyone have a recommendation as to which Mac to buy? Remote access for work would be my primary need with personal internet use the second need.
The short answer is no. I have a PC with dual 19” displays and a 21” iMac. The problem is that when you connect to your PC the remote service only supports one monitor. The only way you get the “same” look and feel would be to use GoToMeeting or some other desktop sharing app that support displaying two displays. – though may not be pleased with the overall performance. I have used Microsoft’s Remote Desktop connection for Mac and on my 21” iMac it is not too bad – though I don’t work with documents/worksheets that span across two monitors.
Why disappointing? Your dual-displays simply allow your Windows desktop to be larger. When you connect with RDC, your desktop will be resized to fit your Mac's display, possibly mitigating the need for two monitors to begin with.
Like some posters above, I RDC from my 24" iMac to my work computer (Windows XP with dual-19" displays). This effectively makes my work desktop 24" in size--my Mac's display gives me more than enough real estate given its larger size and resolution.
If you are looking to get dual displays for your Mac, you
may be able to span the RDC client across both displays, effectively doubling the width of the desktop on your remote computer--this may provide a "feels like work" experience, though I certainly hope your new Apple displays are better than the ones provided at the office! (I say
may because this "span" feature is available in the Windows RDP client, but I haven't verified it on a Mac).
Just keep in mind that an RDC connection ignores the display setup on the remote host--the RDC CLIENT running on your Mac determines the size of the desktop, not the physical hardware of your office computer.
I've been looking for this for months! I am using dual monitors and with my windows computers have been able to use RDC to span dual monitors but I have not been able to do this with a Mac yet. I am sure there has to be a way though - I have spent hours trying to find a solution with no luck yet!
I finally gave up on the search and bought a 24" Cinema display and when I connect using RDP I have SplitView installed on my Windows server that allows me to open a program on either the left or right half of the monitor with only 1 click. The benefits of 2 monitors on 1. It works great for Caseware, Caseview, tax returns and the like. It also saves me some desktop space, is way nicer than having 2 large Dell monitors on my desk and I get to run my Mac all the time!