Macbook Pro - Dual Cinema Displays?

I know you can only have one dual-link 30" cinema display, but is it possible to dual-screen with two 20" or 23" cinema displays on a Macbook Pro with the built-in display disabled?

You can use a Matrox DualHead2Go Digital Edition
<http://www.matrox.com/graphics/en/gxm/products/dh2go/digital/home.php>
The other option is a Magma ExpressBox
<http://www.magma.com/products/pciexpress/expressbox1/index.html>
with a NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT
<http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?mco=C2 69DC41&nplm=MA567Z/A>

Similar Messages

2.4ghz MacBook Pro/30" Cinema Display Compatibility

I have a 15" 2.4ghz MacBook Pro (Intel Core 2 Duo) ...can hook it up to a 30" Cinema Display at the full resolution? If so, what adapter do I need?
Thanks!

can hook it up to a 30" Cinema Display at the full resolution?
Yes.
what adapter do I need?
A dual-link DVI cable or a Mini DisplayPort to dual-link DVI adapter depending on the computer's ports.
(55596)

MacBook Pro Apple Cinema Display issues

I’m using Photoshop CS6 through a MacBook Pro connected to an Apple Cinema Display. Files on display don’t always appear (work area is just blank, interface still there) and when I go to save, the save dialog box is off top of screen to where I can’t see but a small portion of the dialog box. Can’t pull it onto screen. Anyone else experiencing this?

I have a similar situation. I have spring 2011 macbook pro 17" (MacBookPro8,3). I was connecting to an older 30" Cinema Display HD, using the Apple dual-link cable with Mini DVI (Thunderbolt) and USB. I am running 10.6.8.
I was running this configuration for a while (closed lid/"clamshell"), but it stopped working.
I'm pretty sure this is from the "Security Update" that I just installed.
No amount of reboots or cable jiggering helped.
Except this wierd thing: if I connect the USB and display to the laptop, the display stays dark. If i disconnect the USB cable connecting the DISPLAY to the CONVERTER, the screen comes up fine.
I just plug the keyboard into the laptop and it works. Of course, unplugging the CONVERTER USB from the LAPTOP makes it go away (?!). So I've lost a USB prot with this little hack.
Try messing the USB connections and see if you get any changes.
I have no idea what to make of this bizarre behaviour, but it is making me crazy not being able to reliably use my desk setup with this nice laptop.
I hope someone can offer more data or help.

Restarting MacBook pro with cinema display and lid closed?

Is it possible to restart the macbook pro with its lid closed when it is hooked to an apple 20" cinema display?
I have a 15" macbook pro 2.33GHz and want to be able to use it like a desktop system with just the external display when I am at home.
Also should I worry about heat issues running it with the lid closed sitting on the wood desk top?
Thanks

Thanks, I just realized that I phrased my question rather badly.
My real problem is how to start my computer without opening up the lid. I have a stand on my desk that the display is on and the macbook slides under when it's closed. Having to unplug it and pull it out every time it is shut down and needs to be started is rather a pain. The button on the side of the display seems to work for sleep/restart/shut down, but it doesn't seem to be able to start the computer once it is shut down; so my question is, is this possible?... am I dreaming?
Macbook Pro 15" 2.33GHz Mac OS X (10.4.9) 20" apple cinema display

MacBook Pro connected Cinema Display lid closed - is this alright?

I have my Macbook Pro connected to a 23" Cinema Display and I was just reading something about heat and wanted to make sure its fine to have my Macbook Pro connected to the Cinema Display with the lid closed. Actually, I'm guessing there's no problem as only rarely do the fans kick in and this has to be when the CPU is being held wide open for an extended length of time.
However, I thought I'd just bounce it off the forum to make sure this is fine. I think I asked Apple ages ago when I got the display and they told me it was fine. I've run it this way I suppose for 2.5 years so and everything runs fine. But, I know this thing can get hot when I sit it on my lap which is rare now since I have a iPhone.

It's fine to do that, but personally, I would leave the lid cracked open about an inch to aid in cooling. Air is drawn in through the keyboard.
Dave M.
MacOSG Founder/Ambassador  An Apple User Group  iTunes: MacOSG Podcast
Macsimum News Associate Editor  Creator of 'Mac611 - Mobile Mac Support'

MacBook Pro with Cinema Display - No Picture

I have a 2.16 Core Duo Macbook Pro 17". Today I purchased a 30" Cinema Display at the Apple store.
Because of issues I had heard about I had the Apple employees help me open the box and plug in the monitor to a Macbook Pro on the floor to check for dead and hot pixels and other screen problems. None found. I was so psyched!
I get it home and set it up. I run the DVI cable over to my Macbook Pro and nothing... The MBP screen goes blue and then refreshes when the monitor is attached or detached like it detects it, but under system profiler it never registers an additional display (and I did refresh the info). The soft power button on the Cinema Display triggers my computer to give me the shut down/sleep dialog so something is registering.
Basically everything works on the display but the picture. I just get a black screen. I hooked up my wife's G4 1.67 and it drives the screen just fine with a picture.
Any thoughts?

Turned out it was a bad DVI port on my Macbook Pro. Logic board replaced and issue fixed.

15" MacBook Pro / 30" Cinema Display - performance?

Is anyone usng a current (Early 2011) 15" MacBook Pro with a 30" cinema display? Having any performance issues?
I'm using Photoshop 5.1 and after a short time the perforance lags (drastically, and cursor is offset etc.) It almost seems like the cache/buffer are not being cleared. I spoke w/Apple tech and they offered no known issues. I repaired permissions, reset cache, reset PRam, etc. (as directed). Now running WITHOUT CInema Display. PShop seems to be OK. Will try for awhile longer, then re-attach Cinema to test. My guess is the installed video hardware/ram is just not up to the task.
I did upgrade to 8GB RAM -which should help. There is no Apple Hardware test available for this Mac (does not ship w/OS DVDs) but the Apple tech said there would be a startup alert if there were RAM issues.
Wondering if anyone else has experienced similar?
Maybe I should try for an upgrade to the higher spec 15" MacBook? (has more VRam, faster card etc -not much else)

Thanks ALiALKi -but I already tried to access the Apple Hardware test online -NG. The Apple tech said it would not work with this unit. Apparently this MacBook was updated to Lion BEFORE sale Lion was NOT originally installed. So for some reason it won't access the online test (I tried carefully numersous times)
Also, as mentioned in OP -the ram is tested on startup & there would be an audible alert if defective (according to the tech I spoke to) I do have an appt at an Apple store for further testing.
Still looking to hear from anyone who is running a 30" Cinema Display with this -or other laptop.
Thanks

Can`t fully connect Macbook Pro and Cinema Display!!

Hello. I recieved yesterday a Macbook Pro 15 and a Cinema Display 27. When I connected them the weirdest thing happens: the display turns on and off along with the Macbook, and the screen savers are the same in both, and when I move the cursor it moves in the Display, but except this nothing else shows me that there is a connection between them. All that appears in the Display is the original wallpaper, not a single icon or anything else.
What can be happening.
Thank you.
Sebastian.

It sounds like you're not using the mirror display setting, so you're seeing the extended desktop on the external display, which is the default setting by the way.
Also note: the external connection won't be maintained if the MacBook is on battery power only.

MacBook Pro with Retina display to imac

Hi
Can i connect a MacBook Pro with Retina display to a mid 2010 imac 27" ? in ANY way? to use as a second screen... HDMI to mini display.. ive a feeling i know the answer but its worth asking.....
thanks!

Ha, "their" my teenagers would certainly point that out.
"true to say the imac isn't the most upgrade friendly"
Well it's just taking that front glass and the LCD off. The earlier ones had the hidden latches and the special tool to release it. "Took quite a technique to remove it. I just did one where someone had just broken the latch and glued it back.
"i just replaced the dvd drive, i could never go back to mechanical."
That's for sure. As soon as I put my first SSD in this early 2011 MBP 13" I realized that there was a reason why all the Airs could get buy with just 2 or 4 GB RAM.
"currently budget isn't an issue"
That must be nice.
"this is testament to apple - there is no way a pc would have held up this well,"
Yes, I'm still using a 20" and 2 22" ADC Apple Cinema Monitors on my workbench w/ a 2002 Power Mac MDD G4, a 2011 Mini i5 and a 2006 iMac. There's a working SE and IIfx in the closet.
" initial pain of purchase"
Yup that IIfx originally cost $9,900 in 1990. I got it for half price!
There's a 27" iMac for sale here in the NW. I'm looking at it to replace the Core 2 Duo.
"imac is still a great machine with a georgeous screen"
Yup until last year I administered 88 PCs at a charter school. I found looking at those displays and jittery windows all day long really irritating. Of course I'd try to "2 finger scroll" and use "Gestures" to move to a new desktop until I remembered "Oh right, PC, crap."
Good luck and thanks for the checkmark.

17" MacBook Pro (late 2008) display banding in smooth gradients

While running the Screen Savers: RSS Visualizer or Spectrum, I noticed the graphics background looked different in sort of a high contrast, banded, sort of way. I compared it to the same Screen Saver on my Mac Pro w/30" Cinema Display and that looked fine and smooth, with no banding what-so-ever. Has anyone noticed a difference? Is this what I am to expect with this latest 2008 17" MacBook Pro LCD glossy display??? As a pro-photographer I find it less than perfect for editing purposes and will probably take it back, unless it is malfunctioning and it can be fixed. I've even seen 24" iMacs look practically indistinguishable to the 30" Cinema Display. Are they not able to make the 17" display as well?

I made an appointment with the Genius Bar and they ran an external FireWire Video Graphics Card Tester on the 17" MacBook Pro and found no problems with the NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT card itself. Although, after consulting with other repair technicians and observing the Screen Saver "RSS Visualizer" and more notably "Spectrum", the Genius's agreed that they was an obvious undesirable increase in dithering contrast compared to LCD iMacs and LCD Cinema Display panels. They concluded it may be a problem with the LED display and wrote up a ticket and took it in for a display replacement repair.
I went nearby to a Best Buy store to see if other 17" and 15"LED MacBooks exhibited the same appearance and found that they also had an undesirable increased contrast in dithering of gradient tonality compared to Apple LCDs. While I was there, I received a call from the Apple Genius requesting I pick up the MacBook Pro since he reneged on his decision to replace the display after further checking and found no evidence of a faulty display. He said "That's the way it apparently is supposed to be." So, currently, my conclusion is that the new LED displays regardless of model are inferior to an LCD in representing smooth tonal gradations.
I hope others more knowledgeable will chime in here to explain what the heck is really going on and offer their experience with these new LED displays. For me, I will continue to test this 17" MacBook Pro LED display with high res images from a Nikon D300 and PhaseOne P45+ comparing them on my MacPro Quad Xeon w/NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT card and 30"LCD Cinema Display. It may be that the resolution in the Screen Saver is not up to par for these new LED displays.
Visually Yours,
Bruce Christianson

Macbook pro, dual core or quad core?

Hey guys Im getting an early college present and was wondering which Macbook I should look at. This will be my one and only computer while im in college. No photo editing or anything like that, maybe some video editing but it will be almost none. Will be used to surf the web and write documents. My question is should i get the dual core or quad core processor? Will it really matter for what i want it for? One thing I absolutely hate is lag! So the faster of the two the better.

tony477g wrote:
So if I went with the quadcore because you guys say it is faster than the 2.9 ghz dualcore. Would the difference be noticable between the 2.6 ghz and the 2.3 ghz? I noticed the 2.6 has 8 gb to the 4gb and 750gb to the 500 gb.
Well, actually, only one guy said the quad core would be faster, but it is not clear why they said that. You said you were only going to use it "to surf the web and write documents." Well, guess what. You don't need a quad-core for that. You don't need a dual-core for that. I've surfed the web and written documents on my old single-core iPhone. Those tasks are just not that demanding.
So unless there are more things you want to do that you haven't mentioned, there is just about no way it's worth paying for quad-core or a 2.6GHz processor if all you are going to do is surf the web and write documents.
The quad-core is going to speed up operations that specifically benefit from parallel processing, like intensive editing of photo/audio/video, or bulk encoding of audio and video, or specific math apps, stuff like that. And most Mac users would not benefit from choosing the 2.6GHz over the 2.3GHz because the performance of so many common uses depends not only on the CPU speed, but actually on the overall balance of CPU, RAM, and disc. In other words, if you really have a legitimate application for 2.6GHz it usually means you must also install a great deal more RAM and also an SSD to avoid creating a bottleneck that holds back the CPU. But then you would have a machine that is massively overpowered and overpriced for surfing the web and writing documents.
You could surf the web and write documents quite effectively on the least expensive MacBook that Apple sells. But since you do want to keep it throughout all of college, it is a good idea to buy something higher than the bottom of the line. For a Mac for very basic uses that should last four years, I would suggest:
13-inch MacBook Air with 256GB SSD storage and 8GB RAM
13-inch MacBook Pro with 500GB HD storage and 8GB RAM
13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display with 256GB SSD storage and 8GB RAM
(You didn't mention what your budget is)
I suggested 13-inch because it's more portable than the 15-inch but more comfortable for 4 years than an 11-inch. I chose storage sizes that would be appropriate since you said you would do some video. And I chose 8GB RAM because 4GB may not be enough for 4 years, and also because insufficient RAM is often a bigger cause of lag than CPU or disk speed.
If you have a limited amount of money, from this point on you'll need to justify why you would want a bigger screen, a faster CPU, or more cores given the two tasks you said you'd be doing most of the time. Because again, if you didn't actually need a Mac, you could write documents and surf the web on an iPad with the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover and be done for $600.

Which MacBook Pro with retina display ( 13 inch or 15 inch ? )

I can't decide which MacBook with retina display to buy. I'm switching to a Mac from a PC, but I am used to the Mac platform. So far I'm am thinking that, I will choose the 15 inch model, if apple would lower the price a lot at the upcoming event WWDC 2013. But I would consider buy the 13 inch if apple rises the processor speed, offer more ram, and ssd, while keeping the same price.
The 15 inch MacBook offers:
An extra 2 inches of screen space
Much faster ( quad core vs dual core )
The 13 inch MacBook provides
A compact design
Dual core
13 inches
$1000 less
For full comparison visit: http://www.apple.com/macbook-pro/specs-retina/
I will be useing this Mac for
Ios application developing ( Xcode, ios simulator ),
Home use
Web searching
Sometimes at school
Utilities
And other usual stuff.
So overall,
I won't be carrying this around much,
I will do lots of web searching and app developing,
And utilities and other usual stuff
And a need for extra screen space for more room when I'm web searching and app developing.
What do think? Also, would you reccomended any extra features ( extra ram, ssd, or a higher processor) for my needs. This will be a great help, thank you. Ps. I have my fingers crossed for a new MacBook Pro lineup and WWDC 2013. I hope to see upgrades for the MacBook Pro with retina display, apple.

Hi,
I am a researcher so I store a lot of papers, data, and use numerical software. I have had a 17inch high spec macbook pro for over a year now. I find that apart from the large screen, it was unnecessary to get the high specs. This is why. Firstly, the hard drive is easy to replace and upgrade, apple charge a lot for their own ones. Secondly, the ram in my one was upgradable (which i didnt know when i bought it) and i since upgraded to 16gigs from 8 and its amazing. Thirdly, the newer macbook pros run hotter than the previous ones.
The retina is overrated and the programs for retina need more memory and processing power, so what you find is that your hard drive will get taken over sooner, your mac will run hotter, and battery life lower.
I would say to you, dont worry about the processor speed, the normal speed offered is perfect, more than that is not necessary unless you are running highly demanding apps, the mac will run hotter too. Dont bother getting a large hard drive in the macbook. Get a flash SSD drive, and buy a good portable 2tb HD, like a WD one, and use that to store as much of your work as possible. I believe apple started soldering their ram cards to the motherboard or something so that people cant upgrade. Check in advance and see if the macbook you want can be ram upgradable, then get a lower ram model and buy good 8gb ram cards to make 16gig. Very very easy to install them, took me about two minutes to do mine, it will be much cheaper.
If I think of anything else i will post back. Dont forget to install GFX card status too and use integrated only when on battery, i get up to ten hours of battery life without wifi, around 8 with wifi.
edit. I forgot to mention that if you buy your mac and try to open it you will void the warranty.

Macbook and the Cinema display

Hi,
I'm about to purchase a Cinema display for my Macbook, before doing so I have several questions.
In the Apple store at the Cinema display section there is told that the Apple displays are specially designed for the Mac Pro and Macbook pro's. I wonder if the displays work in the same way with my Macbook. I know that I need a Mini DVI to DVI cable. My question is if there are any disadvantages compared to the pro products. And I wonder if there are any users with experience related to the Macbook and the Cinema display.
regards,
Koen

I have a first gen macbook and a 23" cinema display. I can't compare directly to the pro products but, I am very happy with the display and how it works with my laptop. I get full resolution and a firebox/USB hub. It's pretty sweet. I would tell you that if you are about to buy a display I would hold off for the leopard anouncement, the rumor is apple will replace the current display line up.
wes

MacBook Pro as a Display for MacPro?

My 30" Cinema display on my MacPro was flickering and now is completely off. Is there a way to hook up my MacBook Pro as a display for a temporary fix?

Not without a separate and working monitor.
(69731)

Macbook Pro w/ Retina Display Issues with Wifi with Bluetooth.

I have a Macbook Pro with Retina Display, 2.3 Ghz model. I've noticed that while on wifi, when I use a bluetooth mouse or even turn on bluetooth on my computer, the wifi performance severely decreases for a short period of time. While using a bluetooth mouse the wifi intermittently fails and I need to shut off wifi and turn it back on to correct the issue.
Using the ping utility on terminal I have confirmed this in that when bluetooth is turned on, a large number of packets are lost for about ten seconds.
Has anyone else been experiencing this problem and is this an issue I can correct myself or should I contact Apple?
Thanks

I have the same issue with my macbook pro with retina display. I have 2 macbook pros. I never would of thought that a bluetooth signal was interfering with both of them. I had a gateway wireless router that only had 2.4 Ghz 802.11 b/g, which is the same frequency of bluetooth. I know that bluetooth bounces from channel to channel, whereas wifi sticks to one constant channel (normally). I have reinstalled my mac twice, thinking that somehow my drivers were corrupted. This was false becuase everytime I reinstalled it did the same thing, Act fine for 5-10 minutes and randomly the internet connection would freeze up all together for 10-20 seconds. I have also tried contacting apple multiple times and they tried to do a smc and pram reset. They also tried to get rid of my chaches in my computer. It all seemed to be fine, and then when I got off the phone it would act us once more.
     I have read numerous articles to try and fix the situation; one of them was to try change the location of the network and change the MTU size. No help. I called At&T (my internet provider) and got a new router and that did work for a while. But eventually acted up again. The router was still 2.4 GHz 802.11 b/g. I read this article and found out that my Magic Mouse might be causing the issue. Turns out to be true. Everytime I would browser the internet or browse the itunes store and it would freeze, i would immediatly turn the bluetooth off and what do you know, it works!!! This is a huge dissapointment in apple however. It seems to be only a macbook pro w/ retina display issue. My other macbook pro only acts up when i'm using my newer one (something is wrong with the bluetooth and wifi in the retina for the 2.4 ghz frequencies.
     I just got a Airport express, and have not experienced this issue what so ever. This is due to the fact that it is a dual band wireless router. It supports 2.4Ghz and 5 Ghz both at 802.11 a/b/g/n which is a major improvement compared to what I had. I use the 5Ghz frequency and have no issues still.
     This is still an issue however because if I want to go out and use anothers persons wifi, I can't control their frequency. So I will still have this issue.

Macbook Pro - Dual Cinema Displays?

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