Separate monitor and keyboard

Hi. I was just about to get the IMac 24" and then took a look at the MacBook Pro 15". It would be nice to have the portability of the notebook to take downstairs or travel with. Does anyone use a separate monitor and keyboard for their MacBook? I don't play a lot of games but want to make sure that I have enough power to run my photo imaging software. Would the basic MacBook Pro be OK or should I upgrade to the next level? Thanks!

i have that basic and it works great.. i take mine to the office and plug it into the VGA monitor and use the an external keyboard and works like a charm.
cheers

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MacBook Pro with external monitor and keyboard.

Hello, everyone.
I've tried to find the answer for this question but haven't found a clear answer with my Google search.
My older Powerbook G4 will not allow me to work with an external monitor and keyboard with the screen in a closed position. I am about to purchase a new MacBook Pro and would like to be able to use it at home with a larger monitor and keyboard but with the lid closed and its built-in screen turned off. Can this be done ?
How can a MacBook Pro be used (turned-on) with external monitor and keyboard while the lid is closed and the its screen is off ?
Thank you in advance for your answers.
Joseph

Hi Niel,
I have the same problem with my MacBook and I followed the instructions you posted. My issue is that when the computer wakes up after clicking the buttons on the keyboard it then quickly goes back to sleep. I can't seem to keep it awake when the lid is closed. I've been searching for an answer without any luck. Any idea how to solve this problem?
Thanks!
P.S. After I finished posting this message I figured out my problem. While fiddling with my computer and monitor, I inadvertently disconnected the power. After reconnecting the power, I was able to wake my computer and keep it awake. A note to other people having this issue: the computer must be connected to a power outlet to run in closed mode.
Message was edited by: qwertyphd

Can you plug a ipad into a monitor and keyboard?

I don't know anything about ipad's.
Can you plug a ipad into a monitor and keyboard?

As Rudegar pointed out, the AV cable is an adequate option. But another option is to purchase an Apple TV. That's the only way to use Airplay from an iOS device (for now). I'm pretty sure no OEM TV's support Apple's Airplay technology as of yet. Apple wants you to purchase the Apple TV so don't hold out hope that they'll license the tech to TV manufacturers any time soon.
Check out Apple's demo of Airplay on their website and see if that's an option you might like. The AV cable is cheaper but IMO a cable of any kind is a cumbersome work around. And the Apple TV allows you to also play music and look at your pictures from any iOS device as well.
Re: your other question: "Can I see my iPad on the TV in general when hooked up?". The answer is, "Not yet". Only the "output" (IE: music, video, slideshows) can be seen through Airplay or the AV cable. You can't use the TV as a second monitor for your iOS device.
Lastly, you can't "break" your device simply by trying to hook it up to your TV. I had the same issue with my father this holiday with trying to convince him he couldn't break his camera by trying to hook it directly up via the USB connector on the TV.
<Edited by Host>

Syslinux with additional monitor and keyboard?

Hi,
is it possible to use an additional monitor (and keyboard) with syslinux?
I have a Lenovo T500 laptop with a docking station attached to a second monitor and keyboard which are recognized after starting arch. As I'm using disk encryption, I have to type in the password under syslinux and it would be very nice if I could do it using the external keyboard and monitor.
Best regards

WonderWoofy wrote:My machine allows me to set the default monitor in the bios. I have a Thinkpad Edge E430. I can choose between the laptop lcd, the HDMI, or the VGA.
Thanks for the answer. Unfortunately, this did not work for me.
Strangely, the external keyboard is working in the syslinux menu, but not after that when I have to type in the pass-phrase. Maybe it has something to do with my syslinux.cfg?
DEFAULT arch
PROMPT 0
UI menu.c32
LABEL arch
MENU LABEL Arch Linux
LINUX ../vmlinuz-linux
APPEND cryptdevice=/dev/sda2:main root=/dev/mapper/main-root ro locale=de_DE.UTF-8
INITRD ../initramfs-linux.img
LABEL reboot
MENU LABEL Reboot
COM32 reboot.c32
LABEL off
MENU LABEL Power Off
COMBOOT poweroff.com
My mkinitcpio-hooks are
HOOKS="base udev autodetect block usbinput keymap encrypt lvm2 filesystems keyboard fsck shutdown"

Preventing SLEEP when using External Monitor and Keyboard

Prior to Leopard, whenever I had an external monitor and keyboard attached and closed the MacbookPro lid the system would not go into SLEEP mode. Now it does.
What's to be done to prevent this from happening?

PS.... when this last occurred, the backup drive for Time Machine disconneted when SLEEP was invoke by closing the lid and did not reconnect when the system restarted.
I also received a 'warning' that a device was not disconnected properly.

Using the MacBook Pro with external Monitor and Keyboard

This may be a dumb question, but here it goes anyway:
Can I use the MacBook Pro with an external monitor and a bluetooth keyboard and mouse without having it opened all of the time ?
I am planning to buy a MacBook for my wife and most of the time she will be using it at her home office.
I don't want her to use the computer opened all of the time when she is actually looking at the separate screen and using a separate keyboard. Having the laptop opened will only accumulate dust and reduce the lifetime of the built in screen.
What I would actually need is a kind of "docking station", but Apple doesn't make that - I know.
So can the MacBook at least be operated without the internal screen powered on while it is closed?
Thanks for your help
Martin
Message was edited by: mdopp

Yes - it's called clamshell mode:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3131

Additional monitor and keyboard for IdeaPad U310

Hi.
I want a new laptop and I'm thinking of buying U310, but I have some questions.
Now I have a desktop computer and a 23" monitor. I'd like to keep the monitor and wireless keyboard. Is it possible to connect them to U310 - I'd like to use external keyboard and 23" monitor while using U310 on my desk.
I use similar combination at work, but I have ThinkPad and docking station.
Is the combination of U310 and external keyboard & additional monitor possible?
Thanx.

Hi
Welcome To Lenovo Community
Yes you can use the external monitor and wireless mouse
Hope This Helps
Cheers!!!
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Monitor and Keyboard Don't Awake From Sleep

Background:
I have two internal HDD's. Replaced the original Quantum with an 80G Maxtor. A 160G Maxtor has been my 'main' drive...daily use, etc and the Quantum (now the 80G Maxtor) has been/is the 'backup' drive. I used CarbonCopyCloner and cloned to the 80G. The 80G boots and operates just fine....EG all apps....except ...
After going to Sleep, when I press any key and awaken the computer, the power light comes on (changes from yellow to green) but the monitor stays asleep and the keyboard is apparently asleep; EG the caps lock key doesn't light up and doesn't respond to CMD+Eject. The Logitech laser mouse is connected to the keyboard; it lights up when moved. I've had to force shutdown using the power button...not good.
I've run DU (RepairPermissions and RepairDisk), safe boot, and fsck....to no avail. Yes, I reset the PMU on installation of the new HD.
I thought it was clone deal until encountering the same thing with the 160G 'main' drive.
Naturally, on restart I get an error message about the "...computer shutting down while OS X was in operation..." and here's the report:
Unresolved kernel trap(cpu 0): 0x400 - Inst access DAR=0x0000000012392FF8 PC=0x0000000000000000
Latest crash info for cpu 0:
Exception state (sv=0x370E4500)
PC=0x00000000; MSR=0x40009030; DAR=0x12392FF8; DSISR=0x40000000; LR=0x00000000; R1=0x123930A0; XCP=0x00000010 (0x400 - Inst access)
Backtrace:
0x00000000
Proceeding back via exception chain:
Exception state (sv=0x370E4500)
previously dumped as "Latest" state. skipping...
Exception state (sv=0x370DDA00)
PC=0x00000000; MSR=0x0000D030; DAR=0x00000000; DSISR=0x00000000; LR=0x00000000; R1=0x00000000; XCP=0x00000000 (Unknown)
Kernel version:
Darwin Kernel Version 8.8.0: Fri Sep 8 17:18:57 PDT 2006; root:xnu-792.12.6.obj~1/RELEASE_PPC
panic(cpu 0 caller 0xFFFF0004): 0x400 - Inst access
Latest stack backtrace for cpu 0:
Backtrace:
0x00095138 0x00095650 0x00026898 0x000A7E04 0x000AB780
Proceeding back via exception chain:
Exception state (sv=0x370E4500)
PC=0x00000000; MSR=0x40009030; DAR=0x12392FF8; DSISR=0x40000000; LR=0x00000000; R1=0x123930A0; XCP=0x00000010 (0x400 - Inst access)
Backtrace:
0x00000000
Exception state (sv=0x370DDA00)
PC=0x00000000; MSR=0x0000D030; DAR=0x00000000; DSISR=0x00000000; LR=0x00000000; R1=0x00000000; XCP=0x00000000 (Unknown)
Kernel version:
Darwin Kernel Version 8.8.0: Fri Sep 8 17:18:57 PDT 2006; root:xnu-792.12.6.obj~1/RELEASE_PPC
Model: PowerMac3,1, BootROM 4.2.8f1, 1 processors, PowerPC G4 (2.1), 700 MHz, 768 MB
Graphics: GeForce FX 5200, GeForce FX 5200, AGP, 128 MB
Memory Module: DIMM0/J21, 256 MB, SDRAM, PC100-222S
Memory Module: DIMM1/J22, 512 MB, SDRAM, PC100-222S
Network Service: Built-in Ethernet, Ethernet, en0
PCI Card: pci-bridge, pci, SLOT-C
PCI Card: usb, usb, 2x8
PCI Card: usb, usb, 2x8
PCI Card: pci14db,e0, , 2x8
PCI Card: firewire, ieee1394, 2x9
PCI Card: ACARD,6280M, scsi, SLOT-D
Parallel ATA Device: Maxtor 6Y080P0, 76.33 GB
Parallel ATA Device: _NEC DVD_RW ND-3540A,
Parallel ATA Device: IOMEGA ZIP 250 ATAPI,
SCSI Device: ATA Maxtor 6B160P0, 152.67 GB
USB Device: Hub in Apple Pro Keyboard, Mitsumi Electric, Up to 12 Mb/sec, 500 mA
USB Device: USB-PS/2 Optical Mouse, Logitech, Up to 1.5 Mb/sec, 100 mA
USB Device: Apple Pro Keyboard, Mitsumi Electric, Up to 12 Mb/sec, 250 mA
Is the report talking about the monitor/keyboard sleep deal or is it reporting on the hard shutdown? I have sleep set to Never for the time being and I'm going to run DiskWarrior after signing off.
Any ideas on what to do about the monitor/keyboard not awakening from sleep?
Thanks in advance,
David

Hi, Dave-
Well, it is a PC site, so any mention they give to Apple is a courtesy. They actually have good links to Apple articles.
FYI- here's some definitions:
IRQ
"Abbreviation of interrupt request line, and pronounced I-R-Q. IRQs are hardware lines over which devices can send interrupt signals to the microprocessor. When you add a new device to a PC, you sometimes need to set its IRQ number by setting a DIP switch. This specifies which interrupt line the device may use. IRQ conflicts used to be a common problem when adding expansion boards, but the Plug-and-Play specification has removed this headache in most cases."
Which is controlled by the BIOS (firmware)
"BIOS, in computing, stands for Basic Input/Output System also incorrectly known as Basic Integrated Operating System. BIOS refers to the software code run by a computer when first powered on. The primary function of the BIOS is to prepare the machine so other software programs stored on various media (such as hard drives, floppies, and CDs) can load, execute, and assume control of the computer. This process is known as booting up".
The explanation you quoted just means check your system specs with your maker. PC boards have LOTS of variables. Elsewhere, they say check/update your firmware, which is good advice for all Mac users.
As for Belkin, one of several models, it has the NEC chipset. I have seen reports of Mac users getting results with a Belkin. I guess they got the right one.
In the USBMan site, as well as all other sites I have researched (Mac or PC) the over riding theme is that USB 2.0 PCI extension of systems is problematic because of 1- the onboard ROM of the card, 2- the firmware of the system, and 3- conflicts between the two.
I believe that because of all the variations possible in the (version)code of system firmware, peripheral device firmware and the various ROM chips by various manufacturer carrying their own various code/versions of code, it's only natural that, although maddening, we find conflicts arising in some combinations, and not others.
(And because of this, it keeps a lot of programmers and developers in business). Maybe some day, someone will find the "golden code" so that we all enjoy hassle free expansion!
As far as combo cards go, my experience has been expensive and disastrous(2 makers, 2 cards, kernel panic, system lock, nothing good). I am happy with my native FW400, and can live without FW800 until something better comes along.
This has been fun, thanks. I hope others will bother to use "forum search" to find all this info. If people find a satisfactory resolution, I'm happy.
G4 AGP(450)Sawtooth Mac OS X (10.4.8) 2ghzPPC,1.62gbSDRAM, ATI9000, DVR-110D,(IntHD)120&160,LaCie160,23"Cinema Display

Can I daisy chain two mac pros so that I'm using one monitor and keyboard

Can I use two mac pro's with one monitor, keyboard & mouse? The two different machines have two different operating systems (Snow Leopard / Lion). One machine is brand new and the other is 5 or 6 years old.
I want to use both machines in tandem so that I can leave something to render while I work on something else.

KVM is an answer -- maybe. I use one for two machines to share one of my monitors (a VGA) and my keyboard (the second older machine seems to have sleep problems if I share a usb mouse on the kvm however).
The trickiest part of choosing a kvm is trying to find one that can handle the video; one that can handle the required bandwidth, and the connections. If one computer uses, say DVI, and the other mini-displayport, then you need to figure out which kvm can handle that with one (or both) of the machines using adapter(s).
You said one of the machines is brand new. Then it probably has thunderbolt. So you would need a mini-displayport, dvi, or vga adapter depending on the monitor. That means the older machine will need a similar connection since whatever kvm you get will have the same kind of ports for both inputs and its output.
A wild card here (at least in my mind) is if the newer machine has thunderbolt. While a mini-displayport display can be plugged into a TB connection, it is not clear that such a thing will work through a kvm. That is unknown territory I think at this point.

I plan to purchase a Mac mini and then a new iPad. Can I use the iPad as a monitor and keyboard for the Mac mini, either through the USB connection or thru Wi-Fi?

I plan to purchase a Mac mini and then a new iPad. Can I use the iPad as a keyboard and screen for the Mac mini, using either the USB connector or Wi-Fi?

I'm sorry, I should have said thru Bluetooth, not Wi-Fi. I want to use the mini as a base station and the iPad like a laptop that I can sync when I'm home and carry with me when I travel. Is is possible to hook these 2 up - iPad/mini, through Bluetooth? I understand I need to use a regular monitor/keyboard/mouse on the initial install.

Pair iPAD with iMac monitor and keyboard

Is it possible? How about the iMac wireless keyboard paired with the iPad? Related to possible future purchase so all h/w and s/w latest available.

Should be as easy as connecting the cable from pad to Mac.
Well, as the iMac doesn't have a video input port, that would be rather tricky. Where would you propose connecting the iPad to?
You can connect the iPad to a computer monitor that has video inputs. Cables for virtually every video input are available.

REmote Monitor and Keyboard

Current Set up:
Room 1 Mac Mini connected to TV with wireless keyboard and trackpad, Belkin router
Room 2 Airport Express used to stream music to Bose speakers via wifi.
Question:
Can I place a second monitor, keyboard, mouse in Room 2 to connect to the Mac Mini in Room 1? Everything would need to operate off wifi as don't have Cat5 wiring in the apartment.
Thanks
Paddy

Here are some instructions from Apple:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3131

Sharing one monitor and keyboard with two Macs

Hi,
I have two Macs - one Pro and one G5. I want to be able to use both easily, using just one keyboard and monitor. Can anyone recommend the best way of doing this, and what splitter I should buy?
Thanks!

Hi
I like the Belkin Flip - it's really simple for a 2-computer setup and works well with the Mac.
Matt

Cpu in different room than monitor and keyboard?

I was actually wondering of this was possible. I would like to have my G5 connected to a 10/100 ethernet network and have the monitor, keyboard and mouse be on that network in a different place (my kitchen). Is there hardware that will allow this?

Hi MikeinVegas-
Greetings and welcome to the Apple boards
The short answer is yes.
This is the type of unit that you will need: USB KVM Extender via CAT5
Two things to consider. First, most of these units use VGA video only so make sure your graphics card is capable.
Second, you don't actually use these device on the "network" per se, although they do connect via ethernet cable, which makes it easier to run and hide the cable than other solutions.
Luck-
-DP

Sleep, USB, monitor and keyboard keys (eject, volume, mute) problems fixed!

I wanted to post this in another thread, but it had been archived.
My computer would not sleep under 10.4.8, screen would go black, fans and hard drives would whirl and I would have to hard restart to get out of sleep. Also, keyboard eject and volume keys would randomly stop functioning, the monitors brightness control disapearing in System Preferences and the built in USB ports for the monitor becoming erratic and unreliable. So after trying about everything, I finally gave in and did a fresh install (backed up user files to another drive, formated and installed). After the install was done my computer would still not go into sleep properly or out if it without a hard restart. So, for the sleep issue I deleted the preferences files recomended in this thread:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=733713

shouldn't have been posted as a question..sorry

Separate monitor and keyboard

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