External monitor for 12" iBook G4 800MHz

My iBook G4 800MHz has recently been promoted to being my main desktop computer. I am in the market for an external monitor that will work well with it. Does anyone who has direct experience with attaching external monitors to the iBook G4 have any advice?
So far, I have learned that it will not support any more than 1024x768. However, most of the monitors I've seen are listed at higher than that. Will these monitors work with it, albeit at the lower resolution? This ViewSonic, in particular, has caught my eye. I use a ViewSonic at work (with a Windows PC) and I'm very happy with it so I was leaning in that direction.
I also understand about the video mirroring issue, and have discovered that I could use ScreenSpanningDoctor to overcome it. But unless I get a monitor that works, I'm being premature to worry about that at this point.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
  Mac OS X (10.3.9)  

LCD screens have a "native" resolution. This is the resolution they're designed to run at. While you can usually lower the resolution of an LCD screen from its native resolution, the results will not be very good. You can see this if you change the resolution of your iBook's LCD screen to 800 x 600 for a little while. The display in your link has a native resolution of 1280 x 1024. So, it may be capable of stepping down to 1024 x 768, but the result may be a fuzzy image. Without the Screen Spanning Doctor, this display might not be a very good choice.
CRT screens are much more capable of changing resolutions. A 17" CRT screen might be a better choice whether you decide to use the SSD or not.
Someone else may have to comment on that screen's performance, though.
-Doug

Similar Messages

  • Can iMac G5 be used as an external monitor for an iBook G4

    Is it possible to connect an iBook G4 to an iMac G5 so as to use the G5 as an external monitor? (Not spanning necessarily, just using it as a monitor.)

    Yes, if you are willing to live with the limited dimension of the iBook G4. You can use a VNC client, such as Chicken of the VNC, on the iMac G5, and after configuring remote administration on your G4, and hooking the two up with an ethernet cable (or IP over firewire) you can connect and get the screen echoed to your G5. It will only be at the max resolution of your G4 (1024x768) though.

  • How do I use my late 2011 iMac ( with thunderbolt) as external monitor for laptop/Xbox or other device with hdmi as output.

    May be this question has been asked thousand times. how do I use my mid 2011 iMac ( with thunderbolt) as external monitor for laptop/Xbox or other device with hdmi as output. if apple hasn't removed that feature and has just moved that functinoality to thunderbolt then how can I use it. currently there is no laptop available with thunderbolt output. no 3rd party converter available. whats the use of having feature on latest functionality if we cant use it. I wish they would have made one port has mini-dvi and other thunderbolt for backward compatibility untill some vendor comes up with converter.

    It Says :
    Mac (21.5-inch, Mid 2011) and iMac (27-inch, Mid 2011) and later computers support Target Display Mode via Thunderbolt to Thunderbolt cable (2 m) when the source is another Thunderbolt-equipped computer.
    Name one computer model/vendor which has thunderbolt as output for display + audio. this is so stupid to move to new technology without availbility of its compatible devices.

  • I've got a MacBook pro 15' running 10.6.6. I want to use an external monitor for my graphic design work running Adobe software and thought I'd try an HD TV. I ran a Mini Display to HDMI lead to the TV but the picture quality was disappointing.

    I've got a MacBook Pro 15' running 10.6.6. I want to use an external monitor for my graphic design work using Adobe software and thought I'd try an HD TV. I ran a Mini Display to HDMI lead to the TV but the picture quality was disappointing. I also tried a Mini Display to VGA lead and that wasn't much better. I tried all variations of resolutions in System prefs - Displays but nothing helped. Am I getting something wrong? Thanks all.

    In addition to pixel density, you are up against the translation driver card in the TV.
    If you read the fine print of computer-resolution-capability in the TV user guide, you will see a chart as tall as the manual page.  At the top is the smallest resolution capable, at the bottom is the full use of the 1080p in the TV.
    Mac falls into the top 25% of the page, maxing out at 1366x768 often.  This is because the TV control card is expected to do too much of the work, but is not designed for computer-monitor processing.
    I looked at the resolution charts on 2 TVs before deciding to buy a 1080p LCD monitor that has a TV interface/connector.  Computer monitor first, TV second.  But the thing is only 27 in.  Good thing TV is not as important to me as it is to others.

  • Imac as external monitor for windows Notebook

    Hi,
    I want to switch from my Windows Pc to a mac for private use.
    I prefer the new iMac (2011) 21,5" but I could not get an definite answer (not even in my local apple store) if it is possible to connect an existing Notebook (with VGA Mini-d-sub or DVI connector) to the new iMac in order to use the iMac as an external monitor for the Notebook.
    I definitely need this for my business work in my home-office so this information is vital.
    If ist is not possible I have to take the macMini and stay with my standard monitor.
    Can please someone tell me if it is possible at all and if so, how it can be done.
    I searched the internet and only found out that it was possible with the older 27" model but no information for the 2011 21,5" so please help!
    Thank you in advance for your Support.
    Celindir

    Hi,
    Sorry to say, but ...
    The 2011 iMacs (21.5" and 27") can only be used as a second display via a Thunderbolt-to-Thunderbolt cable.
    The 2009 and 2010 27" iMacs can be used as a second display via a DisplayPort connection.
    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3775 andhttp://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Thunderbolt/10.6/en/30822.html
    Stefan

  • Can i use my 21.5" imac as an external monitor for my macbook pro?

    I have a 21.5" iMac (with Intel processor) that I'm trying to use an external monitor for a new Macbook Pro.  Both machines have a thunderbolt input.  I bought a Belkin mini displayport to mini displayport connector, but my macbook is not displaying on the iMac.  I saw videos online showing this done with the 27" iMac, saying you just needed to press Command+F2, but that is not working for me.  I can't seem to find any posts confiming if I can use my 21.5" iMac this way though.

    https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4082303?start=0&tstart=0

  • Is it possible to use the old iMac 2010 21inch as an external monitor for my 15inch Macbook retina?

    Is it possible to use the old iMac 2010 21inch as an external monitor for my 15inch Macbook retina? E.g. Using a mini-display cable to connect from the imac mini display port to thunderbolt port on my macbook.

    Apple shows only the 27" version supporting Target Display Mode.
    <http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3924>

  • External Monitor for Macbook Pro (Use for Audio)

    Hey
    Well I have a Macbook Pro and am looking to get an extra monitor because I am an Audio Production major and need the space.
    I'm looking for about 20-22 inch range and maybe one that swivels so it is horizontal or vertical.
    Please let me know what you think.
    Thanks
    Ryan

    Be very careful what you buy, and if at all possible test it with the computer before you buy it. A few times. These things just stop detecting external monitors for no reason sometimes, as well as just refusing to ever detect certain monitors.
    Maybe someone here has a set-up that's working for them, that's your safest option.

  • External monitor for Macbook Pro MC723

    Hi, I'd like to get a cheap (<£200) external monitor for my Macbook Pro MC723 ...
    1. Can I get any make of monitor or does it have to be an Apple?
    2. Which port Macbook Pro port would it connect to?
    3. Will I be able to use the monitor as a dual display, along with the macbook's screen?
    4. Do you have any recommendations?
    Many Thanks.

    1. Pretty much any make. Some monitors are MUCH better than others. Generally speaking, you get what you pay for. There may be other monitors as good as Apple's 27" models, but I've never seen one better.
    2. The Thunderbolt port.
    3. Yes.
    4. Apple Thunderbolt display.

  • External Monitor for MacBook Pro 13"

    Hello, I know there has been a number of threads on this topic, but I haven't found my answer yet.
    I am looking for a third party external monitor for my 13" MacBook Pro. I read a lot of text on my computer so it is important that the text is sharp. I have tried a couple Samsung monitors so far and the text is far from sharp and in fact it is outright hard on the eyes.
    Currently, I am using a 23" Samsung SyncMaster SA550 with a HDMI/MiniDisplay 6" cable, I am using it as the primary display with my laptop closed and the resolution is set to 1080p. It's almost as though the video card is not powerful enough to drive this monitor - is that possible?
    I have two questions:
    1) Is there anything I can do to get this monitor to display clearer text?
    2) Can anyone recommend a monitor that would display clearer text?
    Thanks! Any info would be appreciated!

    The only reason I thought of suggesting 1920x1080 was becaue I looked up the specs on your 23" Samsung SyncMaster SA550 and see it only has vga and hdmi input.  I suspect that because it's hdmi input the EDID info tells Displays to add 1080i and 1080p to the resolutions and suppresses the 1920x1080.  It's why I wasn't sure it would be there in the first place.
    So have you tried 1080i just to see what kind of results you get?  And to cover all possibilities have you tried using the VGA connection?
    It may just be that what you see on this particular monitor is as good as it gets.

  • 2012 27" iMac as external monitor for mid-2009 Macbook Pro

    I have a 13" Macbook Pro (mid-2009) with an adapter that I have hooked up to the VGA port on PC external monitors in the past. I just bought a 27" iMac (2012) and was wondering if there was any way to make that an external monitor for my Macbook Pro?

    Welcome to Apple Support Communities
    Purchase a Mini DisplayPort cable and press Command and F2 keys in the iMac

  • External monitor for MacBook 4,1

    Hello all,
    I am wanting to run an external monitor for my old 2008 MacBook 4,1 13"
    I understand that I can run a 1920 x 1080 monitor via my machine.
    However, I don't know the upper size of monitor that goes to.
    I have plugged it into a 40" screen, and the image was not sharp.
    I plugged it into a 23" screen, and the image was sharp.
    I am wanting to know the largest screen I can run, and still have a sharp image
    Thank you for all time, and Merry Christmas everyone.
    Sincerely, Xiao Ping Guo

    The inch dimensions of the screen don't matter. The pixel dimensions, 1920 x 1080, can be sharp enough depending on the viewing distance. What matters is if the number of pixels and screen size are properly coordinated with the viewing distance.
    On a 23" diagonal screen, 1920 x 1080 is about 96 ppi. On a 40" screen, 1920 x 1080 is about 48 ppi, or about half the resolution. The 40 inch screen should look half as sharp as the 23 inch screen, because the same number of pixels (1920 x 1080) is being spread over twice the area.
    If the 23 inch is a desktop monitor, it is meant to be viewed at about desk distance, or about 2 feet. If the 40 inch is a TV, it is meant to be viewed at sofa distance, or about 10-12 feet. If you are viewing a 40-inch TV only a couple feet away, it will seem unsharp because it is not intended to be seen so close. At a normal TV viewing distance, 1920 x 1080 at 10 feet should look sharp enough.
    If you want the 40 inch to be as sharp as the 23 inch than the 40 inch must display more pixels. That's why 4K screens are becoming popular. But the MacBook is at its limit already.
    The reason I originally said the inch dimensions don't matter is that a screen of any screen will look sharp at its intended distance. Your MacBook could drive a 100-foot screen at a stadium at 1920 x 1080 pixels and it would look sharp enough, from the seats. If you're 2 feet from that stadium screen every dot will look coarse and huge, but that's not how close you're supposed to view it.

  • External monitor flicker with ibook G3

    I plugged in an external monitor into my iBook G3. At the highest resolution it flickers/ shakes. Is there anything I can do to resolve this?
    Thanks,
    Jacob

    Is the monitor set at the same resolution as the iBook?

  • IPad as external monitor for FCP7?

    Is it possible to use an iPad as external monitor for FCP7?  if so, how do you set it up.  Thanks!

    This might be interesting: http://avatron.com/apps/air-display
    YouTube vid: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvtfv4gljDA

  • Best external monitor for text editing

    Hi all - I have a 2011 MBP and want to connect it to an external monitor (+ mouse and keyboard) for text editing and web browsing. Text clarity is very important to me. First I've tried to connect  a mainstream Acer monitor, and then Lenovo ThinkVision eIPS LT2452pwc at work, and in both cases Mac fonts looked somewhat "fuzzy" where Windows and Linux fonts looked nice and sharp. In all cases I've used native screen resolution. There is nothing wrong with Laptop either (I tried a couple), and it has probably to do with different antialiasing algorithm that Apple is using, which looks good on higher pixel density laptop panels, but not that great on exteranal monitors.
    So... any advice from those using Macs with external monitor for text tasks? Obviously there are Mac displays, but I have some concerns about the glare. Then  I heard good feedback about Dell UltraSharp and NEC IPS monitors. Trully appreciate your input for somebody new to Mac.

    Yes, I did get Dell Ultrasharp U2713HM. I am happy with it with one caviat (which would be the same for 27 Apple monitor). The picture quality is absolutely amazing - the text is very shart and clear, I can't imagine it to be better. The color is very good and natural, plenty of brigtness and contrast to produce a good picture in any light conditions, plus *no glare* screen surface, arguably making this monitor better than the Apple monitor.
    The somewhat unexpected caviat is that since this monitor packs pretty high resolution in a 27" screen, the text appears smaller than on most other monitors (but would be the same as on Apple 27" monitor). It even *appears* smaller than on my 13" Macbook Pro, however at closer examination, that turned out to be not true. The text on the monitor is actually bigger than on laptop, but looks smaller since typically the external monitor is farther away from the eyes than a laptop monitor.
    At first I wanted to return the monitor and exchange for smaller and lower DPI (read bigger text) 24" Ultrasharp, but then got used to my 27" monitor and decided to keep it. Hope this helps.

Maybe you are looking for

  • Management Report - Cannot assign an empty string to host variable 10

    We ran a Management Report for the first time after completing the User/Role/Profile Full Sync and the user/Role/Profile Batch Risk Analysis.  The job failed with the following error: Oct 16, 2008 12:13:29 PM com.virsa.cc.xsys.bg.BatchRiskAnalysis ru

  • Upgrade from XI 3.0 to PI 7.0

    Hi all, We are moving from XI 3.0 SP14 to PI 7.0 SP13 and we need to know if there is any significant functional or technical change to consider during the upgrade. We need to know if there is something from the old version that it is not going to wo

  • Save part of a screen as jpg

    is there another way to save part of screen as jpg besides bitmapexporter (quasimondo)? i use as2. thanks

  • What data binding framework to use for EJB(JPA) - Swing desktop application

    Hi! I am developing EJB server application which mostly uses the same entities and session EJB's both for web and for desktop user interface. While JSF is working nicely, I am stuck with necessity to make decision with data binding framework to use f

  • Adobe form not dispalying content in portal

    Hi Experts, We have one issue in Portal. One user clicked on UWL item in portal its opening subscreen as like behaviour. In subscreen adobe form its not displaying any content and its displaying only approve and reject buttons. we checked user browse