rosey0

Q: How do I connect a monitor to my laptop?

My laptop screen is damaged and I"m not able to view the bottom portion.  I do heaps of photography functions and need all the space.  How specifically do I connect an external monitor, i.e., what cables and such are needed, how to get laptop to recognize monitor, and anything else that I might need to know.

 

Also, would like to hear pros and cons on doing this in lieu of buying a new laptop, which is in my budget for later next year.  My laptop is 6 years old and the only issues I have had are with upgrades for some programs not being available.  I replaced the battery a little over a year ago.

 

Thanks!

PowerBook, Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Nov 18, 2011 7:29 AM

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Q: How do I connect a monitor to my laptop?

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  • by BGreg,

    BGreg BGreg Nov 18, 2011 8:57 AM in response to rosey0
    Level 6 (17,522 points)
    Nov 18, 2011 8:57 AM in response to rosey0

    Depending on your Powerbook, it should have come with video adapters, like a mini DVI to DVI and/or mini DVI to VGA adapter. It also should have an S-video connection, if you prefer to use that.

  • by Network 23,

    Network 23 Network 23 Nov 22, 2011 9:19 PM in response to rosey0
    Level 6 (12,043 points)
    Mac OS X
    Nov 22, 2011 9:19 PM in response to rosey0

    rosey0 wrote:

     

    How specifically do I connect an external monitor, i.e., what cables and such are needed

    You'll need to describe your PowerBook more specifically, because the video connections changed over the years. Try going into System Profiler and looking up the Mac model number.

    rosey0 wrote:

     

    how to get laptop to recognize monitor, and anything else that I might need to know.

    The monitor will probably be recognized right away. But it could get recognized in one of two modes: Extended Desktop, where monitor 2 is an extension of monitor 1, or Mirrored mode where both monitors show the same image. If the laptop monitor doesn't work, yet the desktop shows up there, it may be difficult to get access to the on-screen controls you need to move everything to the external monitor. Some Mac laptops have a key that switches mirrored mode on and off, like F7 or Cmd+F1, you may have to try those.

     

    rosey0 wrote:

     

    Also, would like to hear pros and cons on doing this in lieu of buying a new laptop, which is in my budget for later next year.  My laptop is 6 years old and the only issues I have had are with upgrades for some programs not being available.

    If you're happy with the speed of your current setup, there's nothing wrong with stretching out its life until you have the budget for a new machine. My Mac Pro is 5 years old and still awesome.

     

    But for photography, you will find that current machines are unbelievably faster than a PowerBook! Macs got a huge performance boost after the switch to Intel processors.