What do you need to know to determine whether a non-Apple monitor can be used as a plug-in device to a MacBook (or MacBook Pro) to provide a second display?
Also, does compatibility depend at all on which version of OS X (e.g., Snow Leopard) you are using?
Thanks.
MacBook, Mac OS X (10.6.8), 1.83 MHz
For #2 no operating system serves displays differently, except 10.9 can add a menubar to a second display. But your machine based on the speed probably either maxes at 10.6.8 or 10.7.5.
For #1, I recommend any display with DVI or HDMI and at least 1080p resolution, if not 1024 x 768.
You'll need to properly identify which MacBook x,y you have in your System profiler, where x and y are numbers to tell you more about which connector to get.
Thanks for your reply.
For #1, I recommend any display with DVI or HDMI and at least 1080p resolution, if not 1024 x 768.
You'll need to properly identify which MacBook x,y you have in your System profiler, where x and y are numbers to tell you more about which connector to get.
Should any display that fits those specs ("DVI or HDMI and at least 1080p resolution, if not 1024 x 768") work 'out of the box' (no additional hardware required, other than the connector)? That is, no other 'compatibility' or other issues?
What do 'x' and 'y' stand for? Do they refer to the 'model identifier' spec (which in my case is MacBook1,1)? If so, what does that tell me in terms of "which connector to get"?
And do you mean that standalone monitors are generally sold without any connectors, so the connector has to be purchased separately?
For #2 no operating system serves displays differently, except 10.9 can add a menubar to a second display. But your machine based on the speed probably either maxes at 10.6.8 or 10.7.5.
Please explain what you mean by 'maxes' -- you seem to be indicating that some (or many) current monitors would exceed the handling capacity of my MacBook, but I'm not sure. If so, due to RAM maxing at 2 GB, or for some other reason? I use 10.6.8.
Yes, they refer to the model identifier.
MacBook 1,1 has a mini-DVI connector. It also can't be upgraded past Mac OS X 10.6.8.
maxes out - a common idiom for "maximizes at."
Your MacBook has through its headphone port, support for mini-Toslink and digital audio out to DTS stereo systems.
A connector such as http://www.amazon.com/Converter-Optical-Toslink-Coaxial-Output/dp/B003L9G73Q
Together with a http://www.amazon.com/Protronix%C2%AE-Video-Adapter-Cable-Macbook/dp/B004D46I32
and http://www.amazon.com/C2G-27016-Velocity-Toslink---Optical/dp/B0002JFN1A
Will let you hook up to an HDMI equiped TV with an HDMI to HDMI cable. This will give you video and audio.
The Protronix will let you connect to a DVI based display with the DVI connector found on the first converter, but it won't give you audio from the computer.
If your TV/display has a DVI connector with pins as opposed to holes, you'll want this adapter for video only:
http://www.amazon.com/Mini-DVI-DVI-D-Adapter-Cable-Apple/dp/B002TIU34Y
Mind you, with that one you'll have to situate the MacBook right next to the display, unless you can find a DVI extension cord.
How determine whether non-Apple monitor can serve as second display for a MacBook (or MacBook Pro)?
