External Monitor for MacBook Pro 13"

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External Monitor for MacBook Pro 13"

Hello, I know there has been a number of threads on this topic, but I haven't found my answer yet.

I am looking for a third party external monitor for my 13" MacBook Pro. I read a lot of text on my computer so it is important that the text is sharp. I have tried a couple Samsung monitors so far and the text is far from sharp and in fact it is outright hard on the eyes.

Currently, I am using a 23" Samsung SyncMaster SA550 with a HDMI/MiniDisplay 6" cable, I am using it as the primary display with my laptop closed and the resolution is set to 1080p. It's almost as though the video card is not powerful enough to drive this monitor - is that possible?

I have two questions:

1) Is there anything I can do to get this monitor to display clearer text?

2) Can anyone recommend a monitor that would display clearer text?

Thanks! Any info would be appreciated!

MacBook Pro

Posted on Feb 29, 2012 5:54 PM

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Answer 1

Courcoul

Level 6

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Feb 29, 2012 6:56 PM in response to greengrover

The 13" MBPs have "shared graphics", meaning that the RAM is shared between the main CPU and video GPU. So the first order of the day would be upgrading the RAM to at least 4GB. That will ensure the GPU always finds enough RAM to drive the external monitor.

As for a clear image on a LED/LCD display, the trick is to run it at the native resolution. Check the specs for your display and adjust the Mac accordingly. Anything different from native will look blurry.

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Answer 2

greengrover Author

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Feb 29, 2012 8:36 PM in response to Courcoul

Hello, thanks for the reply.

I am using the monitor at its native resolution according to the user manual, and I have 4GB of RAM.

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Answer 3

X423424X

Level 6

14,265 points

Feb 29, 2012 8:47 PM in response to greengrover

Outr of curiousity what happens if you set the resolution to 1920 x 1080 as opposed to 1080p? Or isn't that resolution listed as a possibility?

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Answer 4

greengrover Author

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Mar 1, 2012 7:31 AM in response to X423424X

1920 x 1080 is not an option. I can choose between 1080i and 1080p.

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Answer 5

Mar 1, 2012 7:36 AM in response to greengrover

1920x1080 is the native resolution for that monitor.

http://www.samsung.com/us/computer/monitors/LS23A550HS/ZA-specs

Maybe your cable is bad.

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Answer 6

greengrover Author

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Mar 1, 2012 7:38 AM in response to BobTheFisherman

I'm not clear on the difference between 1920x1080 and 1080p. Would that change anything?

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Answer 7

Mar 1, 2012 7:57 AM in response to greengrover

There should be no difference, 1920x1080 is/should be 1080p. Although I don't have that monitor I would expect that 1920x1080 should be selectable.

Does the monitor have other inputs like DVI? If you have access to a DVI cable you might want to try that.

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Answer 8

X423424X

Level 6

14,265 points

Mar 1, 2012 11:44 AM in response to greengrover

The only reason I thought of suggesting 1920x1080 was becaue I looked up the specs on your 23" Samsung SyncMaster SA550 and see it only has vga and hdmi input. I suspect that because it's hdmi input the EDID info tells Displays to add 1080i and 1080p to the resolutions and suppresses the 1920x1080. It's why I wasn't sure it would be there in the first place.

So have you tried 1080i just to see what kind of results you get? And to cover all possibilities have you tried using the VGA connection?

It may just be that what you see on this particular monitor is as good as it gets.

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Answer 9

greengrover Author

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Mar 2, 2012 3:47 PM in response to greengrover

Well, after doing a bunch of tests, the best I can get is with 720p. Next best is if I use my VGA cable and set the resolution to 1920 x 1080 and that's not great (albeit better than 1080p with the HDMI cable).

Wish I could figure out why it won't work properly, but as it is I guess I'll have to take the Samsung back. 😟

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Answer 10

Courcoul

Level 6

18,558 points

Mar 2, 2012 4:40 PM in response to greengrover

Should take the MBP & adapters with you and have the salesperson work their comission off getting you the best bang for the buck.

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Answer 11

greengrover Author

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Mar 2, 2012 5:22 PM in response to Courcoul

I like the way you think! 🙂

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Answer 12

Csound1

Level 9

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Mar 2, 2012 5:40 PM in response to BobTheFisherman

BobTheFisherman wrote:

1920x1080 is the native resolution for that monitor.

http://www.samsung.com/us/computer/monitors/LS23A550HS/ZA-specs

Maybe your cable is bad.

1080i is 1920 x 1080 Bob

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