Macbook pro 2010 with 2 external monitors without its main display

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Macbook pro 2010 with 2 external monitors without its main display

Hi guys, I have been searching for a way to have 2 monitors without macbook's screen itself.

I'm aware of various adapters through usb and etc.

But Im thinking, if mac book is only capable of outputing 2 displays, why not outputing main display to one external monitor, instead of the screen on the computer, and the other external montior as a extra one?

Is it possible ? so basically 2 external monitor with macbooks screen switched off.

I don't think apple tv can mirror one and add extra one can it?

I just want 2 big monitors instead of 1 big monitor with 1 tiny screen of the laptop.

MacBook Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2)

Posted on Oct 16, 2012 9:47 PM

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Answer 1

Oct 16, 2012 10:15 PM in response to Ben Hong

Maybe someone with a 2010 model will jump in and correct me, but as you only have a single Mini DsplayPort adapter, I don't think that it's possible to have two external models on a 2010 model. You can only do it on 2011+ via Thunderbolt using Thunderbolt Displays.

You might want to ask your question in the Apple Cinema Display forum, though. I'm just not aware that it can be done.

Clinton

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Answer 2

Ben Hong Author

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8 points

Oct 16, 2012 10:17 PM in response to clintonfrombirmingham

Thank you for the reply, mine must be 2011 one then cuz I have thunderbolt adapter and currently using one external monitor with my main laptop screen.

With thunderbolt, can I have 2 monitors without main laptop screen then?

Thanks

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Answer 3

Oct 16, 2012 10:20 PM in response to Ben Hong

Sure - you can buy two Apple Thunderbolt Display's and daisy-chain them. Note that if you have other Thunderbolt peripherals, the displays need to be at the end of the chain. There are a number of YouTube videos showing folks setting up two ATD's for us with non-Retina MBPs.

Clinton

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Answer 4

Ben Hong Author

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Oct 16, 2012 10:22 PM in response to clintonfrombirmingham

Any other way than 2 thunderbolt displays ? lol ;;

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Answer 5

Oct 16, 2012 10:25 PM in response to Ben Hong

Not that I know of, really. I know that they're expensive but they're high-quality monitors and 'double' as a sort of docking station. If you use an adapter of some sort, it would be a Thunderbolt/Mini DisplayPort>(enter your choice of connection here) and, as far as I know, you could only run one display.

Clinton

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Answer 6

Ben Hong Author

Level 1

8 points

Oct 16, 2012 10:26 PM in response to clintonfrombirmingham

oh...... Thanks it's good to know! ill have a look at thunderbolt display!

Cheers

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Answer 7

Oct 16, 2012 10:28 PM in response to Ben Hong

I've had mine for less than two months now, but I wonder how I ever did without it. Works like a champ. I'm sure you'd love a couple!

Clinton

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Answer 8

Oct 17, 2012 2:35 AM in response to Ben Hong

Just found this...

http://info.matrox.com/graphics/landing/gxm/macworld/macweek/news/oct17?utm_camp aign=macweek_news_oct17

No need to purchase two Thunderbolt monitors it looks like (and thanks to the MacWeek update from MacWorld for all the mail they send with these tasty tidbits).

Clinton

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Answer 9

m_Kizzo

Level 1

0 points

May 21, 2013 1:56 AM in response to Ben Hong

You can daisy chain a 2nd external display, but you MUST have at least 1x thunderbolt display + 1x thunderbolt peripheral in the middle. You can use the VGA or DVI to displayport adaptor and plug that into your peripheral (in my case a 6TB WD thunderbolt hardrive). Tested on a 2011 15" MBP.

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