How well does external monitor work with MacBook Pro?

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Level 1

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How well does external monitor work with MacBook Pro?

Hi,

I'm deciding between an iMac or a MacBook Pro 15 with an external display. The external display could be an Apple Cinema, or maybe another brand.

I want a large screen I can use for video and photo editing as I get frustrated with the very small desktop on my current MacBook. This is why I was looking at one of the large iMacs. However, most of the time I don't want to be tethered to a desk and I like the idea of being able to do my editing from the road or the couch as needed. Makes better use of my time away.

So, my question is How well does the MacBook Pro work with an external screen that may have a different resolution than the native screen? Can I do that?

I would probably want to take advantage of the full desktop size available on a large external monitor, but don't want to require a reboot when I unplug and go from desk to couch.

This is a frustration I have found with PCs in the past as it is painful to "undock" and continue your work. On my current MacBook I found that when I connected it to a gigantic LCD television's computer input, my big screen was still limited to the resolution of my 13" Macbook, which was kind of annoying.

Appreciate any tips or feedback as I make the MacBook vs. iMac purchase decision.

-todd

MacBook, iPhone 3GS & numerous Pods...

Posted on Dec 7, 2009 11:18 AM

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Answer 1

Dec 7, 2009 11:22 AM in response to toddjb

How well does the MacBook Pro work with an external screen that may have a different resolution than the native screen?

Works fine.

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Answer 2

cruzcj

Level 1

5 points

Dec 7, 2009 1:15 PM in response to toddjb

Apparently not that well in all cases according to this thread

http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=10655331#10655331

Hoping to find out for myself in the next day or so when my Dell 2209W monitor arrives.

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Answer 3

iVmichael

Level 6

13,746 points

Dec 7, 2009 2:01 PM in response to toddjb

+How well does the MacBook Pro work with an external screen that may have a different resolution than the native screen? Can I do that?+

I use a BenQ 24" LCD with 1920x1080 resolution and it's great (in Clamshell mode)

User uploaded file

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Answer 4

Dec 7, 2009 1:56 PM in response to cruzcj

I have no issues connecting to it to either at 22" cinema display or 20" Samsung display.

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Answer 5

Phazer89

Level 1

0 points

Dec 7, 2009 2:21 PM in response to Templeton Peck

I often use my macbook pro connected to a Samsung T200HD monitor via DVI connection and it works perfectly

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Answer 6

toddjb Author

Level 1

10 points

Dec 7, 2009 8:59 PM in response to Phazer89

This may be a stupid question as several of you just said it works fine, but I want to make sure that different screen resolutions are possible. Does the resolution have to match what you have your laptop screen set to or can they be different?

Thanks.

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Answer 7

iVmichael

Level 6

13,746 points

Dec 7, 2009 9:45 PM in response to toddjb

When you have them hooked up you run System Preferences/Displays and set each to the Resolution you require, they don't need to be the same. In Clamshell Mode you set the Resolution (on the external) to the maximum it can manage, even if that's more than the MacBook Pro itself.

User uploaded file

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Answer 8

toddjb Author

Level 1

10 points

Dec 8, 2009 7:19 AM in response to iVmichael

"When you have them hooked up you run System Preferences/Displays and set each to the Resolution you require, they don't need to be the same. In Clamshell Mode you set the Resolution (on the external) to the maximum it can manage, even if that's more than the MacBook Pro itself."

Thanks. That is helpful.

One more question, though. Why did you have two differentiate Clamshell Mode from having two monitors connected? I would like to just always leave the external display at its max resolution (for example). Do I have to change it every time I go from dual display to clamshell mode?

I assume clamshell means the macbook is closed and the external monitor is the primary display.

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