Dual Monitor (Extended Desktop) Information Requested

Hello,
I am gathering information regarding the addition of an additional monitor to serve as an extended desktop for my iMac 2GHz Intel Core Duo (purchased in early 2006).
Questions:
1) Is it possible for this 2 1/2 year iMac to have an additional monitor?
2) My iMac has a Mini-DVI port on the back. While looking at other monitors, I have been seeing 15 pin High-Density D-shell (VGA), Video - 24 pin DVI-D, and Video - HDMI interface inputs
3) Which one of those interface types is recommended?
4) Does Apple require a proprietary cable to connect with the above mentioned monitor?
Thank you for any information!
Tony
3)

Yes it is possible to have an additional monitor. I would compare the 20" iMac display to DVI quality although I believe HDMI is the highest quality (probably comparable to the 24" iMac displays). You will need a mini-DVI adapter to connect any display (see link below). I would recommend a DVI connection using a monitor the same size as your iMac that can handle the same resolution as your iMac display. If unsure what this resolution is go to system preferences>displays.
http://store.apple.com/us/product/M9321G/B
You can also read some of the reviews from this mini-DVI adapter as most of them are trying to do what you are doing. You will also need a standard DVI cable (sometimes included with monitor) to connect to the new monitor to this adapter. There is also a mini-DVI to VGA adapter - although I wouldn't recommend this connection because it will be lower quality than your regular display. And a cable that connects DVI to HDMI if you decide to go that route.
http://store.apple.com/us/product/M9320G/A
http://store.apple.com/us/product/TL952LL/A

Similar Messages

  • Two w2408h monitors,extended desktop..2nd not recognized at cold start?

    Hi All:
    HPe9180f with Vista 64 bit Home Premium.
    I have two HP w2408h monitors, purchased and installed on the above computer,when new.  I have tried Tech Support who have certainly tried to take "ownership" of my issue, but with no solution, I have given up.
    My issue is that I can work correctly with both monitors, extended desktop mode, if I never shut off my computer....if I do, the second monitor will not turn on during a cold start.  My workaround, discovered by accident, is to log on in a non-admin user, wait until all programs, etc are loaded and then Restart....my second monitor then activates.  Does anybody know what to do to do to make Windows/ Bios recognize that I have two monitors permanently in use at all times, especially at startup? 

    GC, I would search for an updated driver for you video card/chip.  This sounds like it may be a driver problem.  Video and Audio problems are very difficult to diagnose from afar.  So, I always begin with the most obvious solutions.  Just call me "Mr. Obvious".
    Signature:
    HP TouchPad - 1.2 GHz; 1 GB memory; 32 GB storage; WebOS/CyanogenMod 11(Kit Kat)
    HP 10 Plus; Android-Kit Kat; 1.0 GHz Allwinner A31 ARM Cortex A7 Quad Core Processor ; 2GB RAM Memory Long: 2 GB DDR3L SDRAM (1600MHz); 16GB disable eMMC 16GB v4.51
    HP Omen; i7-4710QH; 8 GB memory; 256 GB San Disk SSD; Win 8.1
    HP Photosmart 7520 AIO
    ++++++++++++++++++
    **Click the Thumbs Up+ to say 'Thanks' and the 'Accept as Solution' if I have solved your problem.**
    Intelligence is God given; Wisdom is the sum of our mistakes!
    I am not an HP employee.

  • Dual Display, 2 Monitors - Extended Desktop

    Hello Everyone:
    There isn't a clear cut answer or solution in connected a Macbook Air to 2 external monitors in an attempt to create an extended desktop. I have read older posts that it's either doable or not doable. My questions are the following:
    -Is it possible to connect a new Macbook Air to 2 external monitors for extended desktop purposes?
    -Some users have reported lag issues (mouse dragging , delays, etc.). Will this happen for sure with a Macbook Air or is it a monitor issue?
    -What's the best non-Apple monitor brand that would work best with a Macbook Air for dual display purposes? I've read that Dells have a problem in this regard.
    -What would be the advantage or disadvantage of using a dock station in setting up a dual display environment? Would this add to the lag, latency factor?
    I'm thinking of investing in a new Macbook Air, but I want to make sure I dont end up with silly issues - such as latency, monitors, etc.
    Thank you for all your help and advise.
    Best,
    G.

    Yes, extended desktop works with monitors set to differant resoultions. the Monitors pref pane allows you to select relative arrangements and rez of all monitors composing the extended desktop.
    personally I run a dell CRT at 2304 X 1728 @ 60Hz along with an NEC 6FG a 2048 X 1280 @ 60Hz off a radeon 9800pro on an MDD.

  • Full Screen Problem - Dual Monitors - Hulu Desktop

    I am using Hulu Desktop with dual monitors. I keep Hulu on full screen on monitor #2. I use monitor #1 for computer use, etc.
    It is IMPOSSIBLE to look at an app in full screen mode on monitor #1 and keep my Hulu full screen in monitor #2 at the same time. So if Hulu is playing and I open up a full screen Mail.app...the hulu screen (mon. 2) just shows that grey background.
    Apple NEEDS to add a way to make the #2 monitor immune to the spaces functionality. That or make a way so that an app can stay on top of ALL SCREENS not just user-created ones.
    I have seen people suggest the, "Right click the app in the dock and choose all screens" but that ONLY works for user-created desktops. It won't make the app be full screen over Mail, iCal, Address book, etc when they make their own spaces window.
    Help! :-)\

    That's annoying, isn't it?
    It's why I quit using iTunes in full screen.
    I play my movies in VLC and "maximize" the window so I can keep working on the other display. I don't knwo of any other way aorund it.

  • Dual displays ("extended desktop") on the iBook

    This is in response to a previous query that was strangely archived despite the original poster receiving no definitive answer.
    The iBook G4 (and various other iBooks) does not support "spanning" dual displays (I believe Apple calls this feature "extended desktop") with Leopard. Evidence of this is the missing "Arrangement" tab in the Display system preference pane.
    The Tiger version of Spanning Screen Doctor (http://www.rutemoeller.com/mp/ibook/ibook_e.html) does, indeed, work correctly on an iBook G4 running 10.5.4. After rebooting, the "Arrangement" tab will now appear in the Display pane.
    Hopefully this saves some iBook users some time and effort in resolving this issue.
    --Brian

    Thank you for yor help.
    I have one more question to ask? If I use the LCD TV like Sony or Samsung with the New i-Mac will I loose deskspace on the LCD TV due to the low resolution on the LCD TV? I thought the LCD TV was a good idea since it has all the input for all my DVD player, TV box?, Nintendo, and the VHS?, but I was told that LCD TV might not be too compatible for use with a computer.
    How do I put all my stuff on a Apple 23" LCD display I only can find adapters that can only take one peripheral at a time, and I don't want to re plug a TV box each time I want to watch TV. It looks like I need a box for use with Apple display with 3~4 input and S video, and HDMI input for the HD stuff?
    Again thank you for all your help.
    12" PowerBook G4 1.5   Mac OS X (10.4.4)  

  • Displaying front row on external monitor (extended desktop)

    Hi,
    I've buyed a MacBook (black) and a VGA cable to connect to an external monitor. I've configured as extended desktop, no problem to work with regular apps...
    But i would like to display Front Row on the external monitor, and not on the internal... it should be possiible as i see many people talking about this kind of configuration, but i do not success...
    Can someone tell me how to display front row on the external monitor, or point me where i can configure front row ?
    Thanks in advance

    Thanks, it's a good beginning, but it make the external display also the default for everything else like menu bar,... i do not want to use the whole macbook on the TV, i just want to use the DVD, video clips, photos,... on the TV... it seems for me a regular use : using the mac for the softwares,... and the TV only for the multimedia display...

  • Princeton dual display extended desktop

    This is my first apple...I have the G5 quad and I hooked up my two Princeton LCD17 monitors, with the adapters. They both have the apple background screen, but only the right monitor has cursor function, the left is just the blue background w/the info screen on the resolution. I've played around with the resolutions...but to no avail. Are the princeton's compatible for extended desktop? Thanks.

    Good evening!
    Maybe I can help. Maybe I can't. But I'll try.
    I have a Princeton 19" VL193 lcd here, and a 15" LG 566LM lcd.
    When I turn my system on, it automatically goes into extended mode, giving me my normal 19" view with background and menu's and dock.
    The 15" shows a blank screen. So I went into the SYSTEM PREFERENCES under the APPLE menu. In there, go into DISPLAY. Each screen should show it's own resolution settings. I can set each screen's resolution and refresh rate, as well as colors, independently of each other.
    On the MAIN screen, there is the option to "mirror" the screens, and then they will show identical images etc.
    That's what you SHOULD see.
    If now, there is the option to "DETECT DISPLAYS" on the DISPLAY screen.
    So they can run seperate backgrounds / wallpapers, or identical.
    Let me know if this helps at all.
    PowerMac Quad G5   Mac OS X (10.4.5)   GeForce 6600 256MB, 250GB Maxtor, 300GB Western Digital, 19" Princeton LCD

  • Dual monitors: Independent desktops? (Desktop zooming)

    Hi all,
    I just got a Mac Pro over the weekend. It came loaded with Tiger and a Leopard upgrade disc. I've upgraded to Leopard. I have two 24" Dell 2405FPW LCD monitors attached to the Mac Pro. so, the full desktop size is 3840x1200. Because I am visually impaired, I use the Universal Access Zoom feature a lot.
    Is there a way to make the desktops on each monitor to act more independently? For example, when zoom the desktop, option + up trackballthingy, the whole desktop across both monitors zooms. Lots of times, a window or text field that I'm working with is split between both monitors. It would be very nice to zoom only the desktop on the left monitor and leave the desktop on the right at full scrteen. This way, I could browse the web on the left monitor having the desktop zoomed in and also watch a DVD full screen on the right monitor.
    My WinXP box has a Matrox Parhelia video card. The Matrox video cards have a hardware feature called PixelTOUCH which allows me to zoom the desktop on each display independently of each other.
    Any help will be appreciated.
    Thanks,
    Steven

    Mirroring is already off. My desktop is 3840x1200. The zoom feature zooms the whole 3840x1200 desktop across both monitors which is OK a lot of the time. However, also, a lot of times, I'd like to see only one half of the desktop zoom and leave the other half on the the other display alone at full screen.
    BTW, Leopard does seem to change the zooming behavior somewhat from Tiger. I'll play with various settings to see what I can comp up with.
    Thanks for the suggestion,
    Steven

  • Lenovo 3000 N200 0769-ALU Dual Monitor Support

    My nephew has a Lenovo 3000 N200 0769-ALU, downgraded from Vista to XP.  Does this notebook support Dual Monitor Extended Desktop configuration?  If so, how is this configured?
    My nephew lives in a different city, so I am not able to just go over and lay w/ his machine.  I am familiar w/ the dual monitor support on my HP LapTop, but am not sure what to look for on the Lenovo.  Assistance is appreciated.
    ~ K

    Computer is working now. The hibernation is still a problem.
    I got a question though, i have SATA mode disabled now, but i'd like it to be enabled. How do i install this driver:
    http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/MIGR-67897.html

  • Dual Monitor capable H530s

    Simple question, is the H530s  capable of dual monitor/extended desktop support?
    I have an HDMI plug and an analog plug. There is NO DVI plug.

    Hi campcuser!: Indeed you are missing something that other port is either a HDMI or a Display port that's how you get 2 monitors on one video adapter!
    just make sure you get the proper cable to accomplish it
    hope this enlightens, clarifies as well as helps you
    good luck
                                                                                                                                                  spacechild

  • Cheapest video card for dual monitors on a G4 Sawtooth

    Hi guys,
    What would be my cheapest alternative to get a dual monitor (extended desktop) environnement with my G4 Sawtooth. This is an AGP G4.
    Can I get a cheap video card with one outlet and then plus each monitor in one card (ie: 1 in the new card and 1 in the old one) ?
    Or do I need to buy a card that supports 2 monitors?
    I would like to spend as little as possible. I currently have the ATI 16 mb card that came with the system and I run both OS 9.2.2 and OS 10.3.9
    Thans for your advice,
    xenakis

    Yesterday I installed a nVidia GeForce4 MX AGP out of a 2002 Quicksilver tower into my own AGP Sawtooth.
    It has VGA and ADC connections and can apparently support two monitors at the same time.
    My second vidio card is a MPDD card, but I may pull that now that I have a dual-monitor card. Sonnet sells something similar. They have blue & yellow connectors. These things are not high performance but they are OK to use with just about every monitor on the planet and any MacOS from 7.1 to 10.5 and beyond.
    Cheap on eBay. Probably you could be even cheaper and pick up a 16-meg PCI card out of a B&W G3 tower.

  • Can I use dual 24" displays as an extended desktop with my MacBook?

    I have a 2.4 GHz MacBook I purchased this summer. I was considering using it for my desktop needs, but I need to have a two-monitor extended desktop. I don't particularly care for the thought of using the notebook's monitor in addition to the 24" display. I'd rather have dual 24" displays, but in talking with the "chat" line on the store website, they said this is impossible to have an extended desktop this way. I'm stubborn and can't help but think that is not impossible with the appropriate work-around.
    Suggestions? Thoughts?
    Thanks so much.

    The only option for dual external displays on a Mac laptop is the Matrox DualHead2Go. But with a MacBook, you could only get a maximum of 1024x768 on the two montors, a completely waste of a 24" monitor IMO.

  • All menus have display problem (flash) when using FF on extended desktop monitor

    I use two monitors at work. Each time I display FF on the "secondary" monitor (extended Desktop), all menus (normal menu, bookmarks, right click), flashes going from visible to hidden and so on).

    I have the same problem. Windows 7 (64 Bit), extended desktop, 2 monitor system. I have AMD HD 4800 graphics card with all AMD updates current as of 12/8/2012.
    The drop down menus display briefly (flicker) and then are not visible. If I am careful and know the dropdown line I want, I can blindly select it. This happens only on the second monitor on the extended desktop. If I move Mozilla to the primary monitor the same page works correctly.
    Disabling the hardware acceleration and restarting Mozilla resolves the issue. While I can use Mozilla, it is still not ready for prime time using hardware acceleration.
    Given that it is the only Browser or applicaiton that has this problem with displaying drop down menus on the second monitor, I would suggest that it is either a Mozilla hardware acceleration problem or Mozilla needs to work with the graphics card manufacturers to resolve a problem that only Mozilla seems to have with their drivers.

  • Screen Sharing: Viewing extended desktop on extended desktop

    My buddy and I both have the same current versions of iChat and Leopard and both have dual displays (extended desktops). When we do ScreenSharing, his dual screens (the entire extended desktop) come through into just one screen of mine (into the larger primary screen but I don't know how iChat determines it) and vice versa when I share my screen with him. We can still see everything, but everything is just smaller to fit two widths into one. The second screen remains dark and blank.
    Is there a way to enlarge the shared screen?
    Or is this a limitation at the current version?

    But of course I want more, not less. The second screen contains all the important tool palettes, which is half the experience! I will nonetheless try (looking for) your suggestion next time, if just to know it. Thanks.

  • Extended Desktop (Dual Monitors) on 13'' Macbook?

    I am thinking of hooking up my Macbook to my TV using the following adapter:
    http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/6934002/wo/Gs5Ps WUtnG7T3zQT50TQtAqEzED/5.0.0.23.1.0.8.11.33.0.0.1.1.0.9.1.3.0.1.11.7.7.0.2.0#rev
    I was wondering if I would be able to use the TV as a 2nd monitor, or if the Macbook's screen would turn off and only allow me to use one monitor at a time.
    The TV itself is an LCD TV, and not a TV/monitor.
    Thanks a bunch,
    Jonny

    You will be able to run in any one of three different modes, whichever is to your liking:
    - Extended Desktop mode where both screens are active and the TV will be an extension of the screen on the MB.
    - Mirror mode where both screens are active but run at the same resolution and have the same image on both.
    - TV only mode where only the TVs screen is used and the lid on the MB is closed. For this mode you need to have the MB plugged into its AC adapter and you need to wake it using a mouse or some other USB or Bluetooth peripheral.

Maybe you are looking for