Q: AirPlay Mirroring from my MacBook

No, only recent MBA, MBP, iMac and Mini

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5404

AirPlay

AirPlay Mirroring requires a second-generation Apple TV or later, and is supported on the following Mac models: iMac (Mid 2011 or newer), Mac mini (Mid 2011 or newer), MacBook Air (Mid 2011 or newer), and MacBook Pro (Early 2011 or newer).

Several Apple Articles Regarding AirPlay

Apple TV (2nd and 3rd gen)- How to use AirPlay Mirroring

How to set up and configure AirPort Express for AirPlay and iTunes

Troubleshooting AirPlay and AirPlay Mirroring

Using AirPlay

Agree with above but there is a way around it. There is a app called Airparrot in the app store that does the same thing as airplay on older Macs. I have a mid 2009 macbook pro and airplay thru aipparrot works great.

I have a Macbookpro 8,1 so early 2011 and I don have airdisplay?  From everything I have read I should have that ability.

Bernie

MacBook Pro early 2011 with OS X 10.8  Mountain Lion or newer will support airplay mirror.  I think your issue is you need to buy the new OS.

Jules

You're right Jules, Thanks!  I had written down 10.8 as my OS but in fact was 10.6.8. 

I tried airparrot and it worked well for the desktop, but seemed problematic for watching videos.

I don't want to upgrade to Mountain Lion until I have a thorough backup so it was worth spending the 10 bucks to satisfy my curiosity.

Thanks,

Bernie

cannot find the app Airparrot in the app store, any other suggetions?

It's not in the App Store. You need to access the site to download

http://airparrot.com/

Hellow HI

I was thinking of buying a 3rd Gen apple TV, i havent bought it yet. But i want to find my airplay icon on my MacAir mid year 2011. im on mountain lion 10.8.

So do i need to hook my apple TV first to see the icon? or the icon is there already? because if it is suppose to be there already on my status bar i cant seem to have it?

please help before i buy the apple TV. Thank you

You need an Apple TV hooked up in order to see the icon

Evidently you are getting points for posting the same reply to the same question that has many perplexed, can you sign me up or can you actually give a response that is helpful, I am not trying to be mean but this seems to be a real issue and your canned response isn't helping.

That is what is required in order to airplay mirror, so yes it does answer the question. If you meet all the requirements and are having issues then I would create a separate thread so it can be properly addressed.

I figured out my problem. I am using the Airport Extreme Router and have a Guest network setup. I used the guest network for my Apple Tv,Macbook,Iphone and Ipad. I decided to switch to my "hidden network" for all of my devices and everything works fine now. I am sure that there is a  reason to not be able to use the Guest Network. Anyway, all is fine now. Hope this helps some of you!