External Monitor for G4 Powerbook

I would like to get a larger (19-23") monitor for my PowerBook G4 1.33 GHz laptop. There is a ATI Mobility Radeon 9600 built in, so what Apple monitor is compatible? It sounds like the Cinema Displays all need some sort of specific Graphics card that I don't have (can I install one?).
thanks.

I have a 9700 in my 1.5Ghz PowerBook and it works fine with a 23" and 30" Cinema Displays, I would think that your 9600 would work as well.

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What resolution do I need in an external monitor for my 15" G4 Powerbook?

Hello mac friends this is my first post I really hope someone can help me out. I need to get an external monitor for my 15 powerbook g4 1.67 w/ 64 mb graphics card. I can not find any monitor on the market whos' native resolution matches that of my g4 (1280x854). Do I need to match the native res? I ideally would like a widescreen b/w 20 and 23", though I am not crazy about the apple displays (mainly the $). I am trying to figure out what native res I need to be looking for in an external monitor, etc. Anyone who can advise would be greatly appreciated!!! Thanks- Jon
PowerBook G4 15inch 1.67ghz Mac OS X (10.4.9) low res, 1.5gb ram

The fact that you don't need to match the native resolution disguises a great and valuable feature: Your PowerBook can drive monitors higher than its native resolution. Check the specifications for your PowerBook to see how high it can go. (There's a Specifications link at the top of this page.)
For example, my PowerBook G4 native resolution is also 1280x854 like yours. I bought a 20" Apple Cinema Display which is 1680x1050. Is that a problem? No, it's GREAT. Because I didn't just double my screen space, the external more than doubled it thanks to the ability of the PowerBook video card to go beyond the native resolution. My PowerBook's specs say I could run a monitor up to 2048 by 1536 pixels. (Many Windows laptops have the same capability.)
You can go to any computer store and buy just about any monitor that has a DVI or VGA port on it, that is within the resolution range for your PowerBook, and it will work. Dell, Samsung, NEC, etc. should all be OK if you want to save money. DVI is better and plugs in directly, but if you buy VGA, you will need to use the VGA-DVI adapter that came with your PowerBook.

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.

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.

Full HD LCD TV as external monitor for Win XP games?

Hello everyone,
I have a current MacBook Pro with Mac OS X 10.5.2 (Great machine.
I am also running Windows XP via BootCamp for some business applications and games.
I would now like to buy a "Full HD" LCD TV (probably the Samsung LE 40 M 86 BD) and use it as an external monitor for gaming, using a DVI > HDMI cable.
Will this work? I.e.:
+ MacBook Pro (2 GB / 2.2 GHz / GeForce 8600M GT)
+ BootCamp & Windows XP SP2
+ DVI > HDMI Cable
+ Samsung Full HD TV (1920x1080)
+ DirectX 8/9 games (Half-Life 2, Portal, Far Cry etc.)
= Big Screen Gaming?
Or are there pitfalls I am currently not thinking of?
(This is one of those questions where the typical TV dealer / Windows gamer will shrug and say "Yeah. Whatever. Should work. Maybe. Buy everything and try it.")
I'd be glad if people who have tried this could share their experiences.
Thanks.

Thing is, I am trying this too. However, the only option I get is to clone the display. This is not what I want, I want to use the TV as the primary display. This way games will startup on the big TV and not on my Macbook Pro. Now I don't get the option to use that TV as a primary display.
So leaves me with the option to clone the display and have same image rendered on both screens... This is NOT what i want. In Leopard everything works great... obviously...
PLease let me know if you got any solutions for this

External Monitor for G4 Powerbook

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