How do I hook up my LCD external? VGA or HDMI?

Hello

you need an adapter to connect your new monitor, normally they have 2 connections, VGA and HDMI, the cheaper one is VGA and I recommend apple brand

for sound solution you need to check if there is Audio connection between your new monitor and your Mac if not, then the audio wont be able on your new monitor just under your mac

check the following links for video adaptors

http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-Video-Adapter-Macbooks-MDVIVGAMF/dp/B001ODKN36/re f=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1333290281&sr=8-2

http://www.amazon.com/Mini-DVI-DVI-D-Adapter-Cable-Apple/dp/B002TIU34Y/ref=sr_1_ 4?ie=UTF8&qid=1333290281&sr=8-4

best regards

You will need the Mini DisplayPort adapter. The Mini DisplayPort adapter will also work with the Thunderbolt equipped MacBook Pros.The adapter is short because it simply gives you the the correct connector at the MacBook. You then use a cable of the right length to reach your external monitor.

Depending on what input plug you'll be using on your TV. VGA or HDMI. You'll need a Mini DisplayPort adapter and a cable from that to your external monitor. Here's the various types of Mini DisplayPort adapters on Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=min i-dvi&x=9&y=13#/ref=nb_sb_ss_sc_2_16?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=mini + displayport&sprefix=mini+displayport&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Amini+displayport If you connect the MacBook using a Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter you will probably need to use external speakers or a 3.5mm stereo headphone jack to RCA sound plugs connected to a stereo sound system if your external monitor doesn't have separate RCA input plugs or a 3.5mm stereo input plug for audio with the HDMI plug. The Mini DisplayPort to HDMI doesn't carry audio before the Mid 2010 model 7,1 and there're no audio plugs on most TVs to work with HDMI since it's expecting audio with the HDMI.

With the Late 2008 model 5,1 Aluminum Unibody there is an adapter that can combine video and audio to HDMI.http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10428&cs_id=1042802 &p_id=5969&seq=1&format=2

You'll need audio cables to the external monitor using a 3.5mm stereo headphone jack to RCA sound plugs or a 3.5mm stereo input plug if you use the VGA adapter. You attach it from the headphone jack of your MacBook to the appropriate input plugs on your external monitor http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=min i-dvi&x=9&y=13#/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_2_19?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=macbo o k+audio+cable&sprefix=macbook+audio+cable&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Amacbook+audio+cable

When you first hook it up it will probably have the display set in Extended Desktop mode. The Menu Bar and Dock will be on the MacBook display and your background screen on the external monitor but you can move the cursor onto the TV screen.

In System Preferences>Display on the MacBook screen there should be an Arrangement tab when you have the MacBook hooked up to the external monitor and both screens working. When you click the Arrangement tab do you see two monitors side by side? One of them will have a Menu Bar at the top. Just click on the Menu Bar and drag it to the second monitor. That will make the second monitor your main screen.

You can now use your MacBook in Clamshell Mode with a wired or Bluetooth keyboard and mouse. http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3131 When you disconnect from the TV your Menu Bar will automatically change back to the MacBook.

Or if you want to work on the MacBook screen while showing it on a external monitor you can check the Mirror Display box on the lower left hand side of the Arrangement tab under the two monitors box.

The Late 2008 model 5,1 Aluminum Unibody like yours and the Late 2009 model 6,1 and Mid 2010 model 7,1 White Unibody have a Mini DisplayPort.

The Early 2006 model 1,1 through Early 2008 model 4,1s plus the Early and Mid 2009 model 5,2s have Mini-DVI ports.

As to VGA or HDMI it's your choice. Both work well. The same with audio.

With external speakers you would have to unplug them to use your headphones. Or you could use a "Y" connector to use both at the same time.

Audio output is from your MacBook's headphone jack. The external display audio jack is only input not output.

To use the external display's speakers you run an audio cable from the MacBook's headphone jack to the external display's audio jack. To use headphones you disconnect the audio cable to the external display and plug your headphones into the MacBook's headphone jack.

I think my confusion is that I thought that you were talking about an external monitor with built-in speakers. If it doesn't have built-in speakers then you would just plug your headphones into the MacBook. The headphones work fine if you are using the MacBook in clamshell mode. You don't have to leave the MacBook's screen open.

If that single audio jack is for output only then how are you supposed to get the audio into the external monitor if you use VGA which doesn't carry audio?

Looking at the manual for that monitor the audio jack is for audio in not out. D-Sub is another name for VGA and it looks like the audio in is for the VGA not the HDMI. So there is no way to connect the headphones to the monitor.

To use the external display's speakers you run an audio cable from the MacBook's headphone jack to the external display's audio jack. To use headphones you disconnect the audio cable to the external display and plug your headphones into the MacBook's headphone jack.

You would use a 3.5mm to 3.5mm audio cable to use the built-in speakers. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_1_14?url=search-alias%3Delectronics&field -keywords=3.5mm+to+3.5mm&sprefix=3.5mm+to+3.5mm%2Caps%2C377