Using an external display only

Heres my setup: An iMac with an HDMI cable to another room into a 1080p TV. Mirroring mode would be ideal but it won't run my TV at its native resolution or aspect ratio. So my only choice is extended mode, the problem with it is windows open where they last were usually so they pop up on the wrong display.
My current work around is to enable spaces (even though I don't use them) in a hot corner which shows you what windows are on the other monitor so you can drag them to the right monitor. Also I arrange the displays corner to corner so I don't lose the cursor as easily. What I would like is:
To force 1080p 16:9 while mirroring
Or have a 'gather windows to extended display' button on the dock
Or any other solution you can think of
What I'm doing isn't that unusual, I'm surprised theres no option for it.
Thanks

You need to define the TV as the primary display so that when it's available, the dock and the apps will display there. When it's not available they display on the iMac. Here's how:
In System Preferences > Displays > Arrangement tab > drag the white bar at the top of the primary display over to the secondary.
Regards,
Captfred

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I want to use my external display only...

Hello
I have the white MacBook and a 32'' panasonic TV connected via mini-DVI/DVI/HDMI, I have both wireless Apple Keyboard and Mouse (by bluetooth). How can I close the MacBook's screen without getting it to sleep mode and use the external display only while the MacBook's screen is closed??
Please help.

Click here and follow the instructions.
(47126)

Using External Display Only - Gaming

Hi,
I want to be able to connect my HP w2207h 22inch widescreen external LCD to m'y Macbook Pro running leopard to allow me to play games such as SPORE and The Sims 3. I have already set the external monitor as primary in os x but every time that I start the games that I want to play, the whole screen goes blank (both of them) and the external screen turns itself off. I then have to unplug it to get the picture to appear on the macbook again so I can exit. I still have no idea how to play these games on the external display with this problem.
I have been able to solve this problem in bootcamp however, with the function to turn off the macbookpro display and keep the external by itself. I really want to play these games in os x and on my external display.
Does anyone know how to do this or how to make it so that the macbookpro screen isn't used at all (i.e. the external display is the only one in use)?? Some third-party application?
Cheers
Tim

Timmy, that doesn't seem logical, buddy. If you use the MBP keyboard, I'm quite sure that it thinks u wanna use the MBP display as well. It would seem an inconvenience, to me, to have it open while using another display, anyway. I'm with the idea of using another keyboard & mouse. That's what I do.
I have a ? for ya. U mentioned that u know how to get the external display to be primary while using BootCamp XP. I have done that in the past with no problem. However, it quit working. If I close my MBP, the display turns off & XP will not allow me to do anything until I open the MBP & log back in. If I try to leave the MBP open off to the side & use the Cinema Display as primary XP laughs at me & will only open the game on the MBP display. In XP Settings, the option to uncheck the MBP display as primary is grayed out & there is no option to turn on mirroring for either display or set the Cinema Display as primary. How were u doing what ever u did to use your external display for gaming on BootCamp XP?

Use external display only - without mirroring?

I've seen some folks using a Mac mini as a media center. I have a 12" PB and I was wondering if there's some hack for convincing the PB that there's -only- the external display (let's say 1366x768 or something similar in a wide-screen LCD) so that all video appears there and I wouldn't have the PB's internal 1024x768 even seen by the Display System Prefs.
Basically I'm trying to use the PB as if it didn't have any built-in display.
Advice and suggestions appreciated.
Thanks,
Barry

Well, you can use an external display and not even worry about what's on your PowerBook's screen, if you know what I mean.
Is there a reason why you want everything only shown on the external?
Again, if you have an external widescreen, you can make things appear there by choosing that as your main screen, and let your PowerBook screen be your secondary.
I just don't get, no offense, why you wouldn't want your PowerBook's LCD to function. I mean, if it was broken, then that would be a reason. And even then, your PowerBook will work with a broken screen if connected to an external where then it would definitely be forced to adhere to the resolution of the monitor.
For choosing which is your primary and which screen is your secondary when doing an extended desktop mode, go to system preferences and displays, and then there is a screen where it shows two boxes representing your two monitors. An option to drag the menu bar left or right will determine which is your main and which is your secondary. When dragging, it will "light up" with 1 or 2 on the box.

How can I use an external display with my MBP lid closed and disconnected to power?

I know that I can use an external display when my MBP lid is closed and it is connected to power. I was wondering why it does not work when the power cable is removed.
I only use an external display when I am at home so my MBP acts like a Mac Pro or Mac Mini in that way, but it is not good to leave the battery charging constantly on a MBP so I want to disconnect the power and use external display and have the lid closed. Is this possible or do I have to leave my lid open when running on battery power?

I'm plugged into my wall socket at least 90% of the time - probably more. I always make sure that I take my MBP off mains about once every two weeks and let it run down to about 30-40% and then plug it back up. This keeps the ions flowing and the battery healthy. My MBP will be one year old on March 20, 2013, and my battery health is still at 99%. I run in clamshell mode most of the time now - since I bought a 27" Apple Thunderbolt Display. Only occasionally am I off mains - and then because I'm exercising my battery, usually.
Don't worry about running of mains most of the time - just be sure and unplug about once every two weeks (or twice a month) and let your battery dip to the 30-40% mark and you'll be fine.
Good luck,
Clinton

Is there a way to use an external display while keeping the Macbook open?

I'm trying to use my external display as my primary (and only display). I would be operating in clamshell mode, but this can lead to overheating issues. Is there an easy way to leave the Macbook open but turn its screen off manually when another display is connected?
I've found that by closing the macbook, plugging in a mouse, waiting for the macbook to start in clamshell mode, and then opening the display, I can do this. Is there an easier way (i.e., an option to tell the macbook display to turn off)

could you not just connect it with the vga adapter and then turn the brightness of your screen all the way down so there is no light? i had to do that for my ibook g4 when i cracked the lcd, but thankfully i have my macbook now.

External display only with lid open?

I feel like I must be missing something really obvious, so I apologize in advance, but I'm trying to use my external display (23" cinema display) without using the MBP display yet still keeping the lid open (mainly for the isight camera).
The first time I plugged the cinema display into the MBP it worked that way, but after I put it to sleep and then woke it up, both displays are on and I can't figure out how to turn off the MBP display without closing the lid.
I see no option for it in System Preferences > Display and the Apple key+F7 only toggles between mirrored and extended desktop modes.
Can someone point me in the right direction?
TIA!
15.4" MacBook Pro 2.16ghz Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Try this:
Plug in your external monitor. Once the Mac recognizes it and you see your desktop on the external display, close the MacBook's lid. Once both displays turn off and the sleep light starts to pulse, wake up your Mac by either clicking a button on an external mouse, or pushing the play button on your Apple remote. The external display should come on. When it does, you can open the MacBook lid and its display will stay off.

How do i use an external display with my macbook pro?

How do I use an external display with a macbook pro?

Just buy the proper adapter cord, such as MiniDisplay port to HDMI for example. Plug it in and it will be automatically recognized. Use System Preferences > Displays to set options.
The display can Mirror your primary desktop or Extend the Desktop.
Regards,
Captfred

How can i force my mac book pro to use an external display

how can i force my mac book pro to use an external display
my screen is black

What sort of adapter are you using?
Clinton

External display only works with Macbook open?

I have an Acer AL2623W which works fine as an additional or main screen, but a second after you close the laptop the screen goes blank and it shows an 'input not supported' error. The Macbook stays on, it just doesn't drive the monitor alone. Re-open the Macbook and both work normally!

Hello Siôn Dafydd,
Welcome to the Apple Support Communities!
I understand that you are using an external display with your MacBook Pro and when you close the display on your MacBook Pro, the second display turns off. It sounds as though your MacBook Pro may not be connected to power while using with display closed. Please read over the attached article for information on using a second display in closed-clamshell mode.
How to use your Mac notebook computer in closed-clamshell (display closed) mode with an external display - Apple Support
Have a great day,
Joe

Can no longer use an external display in closed clamshell mode

Hi,
I have this weird problem that just started couple days ago.
I own a MacBook Pro Early 2011 since March.
It's always hooked up to an external display and the MacBook Pro's LCD is turned off (closed clamshell mode).
Lately, if the MacBook Pro's LCD is turned off, the external display won't show anything.
But as soon as I open the lid, the external display will then mirror the MacBook Pro LCD.
If I close back the lid, the external display will get blank.
I also tried to change the display settings with no luck.
In other words, I can no longer use my external display with the MacBook Pro in closed clamshell mode.
I'm wondering if someone experienced this problem before. Thanks for help.

Hello sebastieng
Open both, your MBP connected to the external screen. Open Preferences click here on "Displays" and then make the external Window to the main window by dragging the bar (line?) on top of the laptop window to the external window, which makes the second window the main window.
If this does not help you may read this:
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3131
Hope this helps
marek

Using an external display with the macbook air

hi, i wanna know if i can use an external display with the macbook air as the tunderbolt is a bit pricey? i was thinking about buyin a LCD moniter wih a VGA port. many thanks

Yes. You can use VGA DVI or HDMI monitors by buying a Minidisplay port to xxx adapter and the the appropriate cable (vga, dvi or hdmi).
The MiniDisplayport adapter plugs into the Thunderbolt port.
Regards,
Captfred
Here's a sample HDMI adapter. All these available in the Apple online store.
http://store.apple.com/us/product/H1824ZM/A/Moshi_Mini_DisplayPort_to_HDMI_Adapt er?fnode=MTY1NDA3Ng

Why cannot I use hidden or display only item to store value for insert?

hi, Gurus:
I have a question:
I implemented a form with report region in a page, the update works OK, but the add function has a problem:
There is a column, offender_ID, which is a foreign key for another table, it should not be null during insert. However, even I pass the offender ID from master page when user click the create button, and it did shows in the form, it must be a text filed to insert successfully, why cannot I use hidden or display only item to store this value for insert? (If I use hidden or display only item, insert won't be successful, apex reports I tried to insert a null value to offender_ID column.)
Many Thanks in advance.
Sam

Hi,
There is a column, offender_ID, which is a foreign key for another table, it should not be null during insert. However, even I pass the offender ID from master page when user click the create button, and it did shows in the form, it must be a text filed to insert successfully, why cannot I use hidden or display only item to store this value for insert? (If I use hidden or display only item, insert won't be successful, apex reports I tried to insert a null value to offender_ID column.)I think both hidden and display items have attributes that can cause problems because of different ways these items function than non-hidden and non-display-only items function. Display Only items have a "Setting" of "Save Session State" Yes/No? That can be a problem.
Would you do this? Make these items regular items instead and see if you can get those working. Then, we will try to change the fields back to hidden or display only.
Howard
Congratulations. Glad you found the solution.
Edited by: Howard (... in Training) on Apr 11, 2013 10:26 AM

Using an external display

Whats the highest resolution external display that the eMac can support? Because I wanted to use the external display as a main screen and set the eMac in the floor.
Also, does anyone recommend a widescreen external diplay?

Hi cosmic,
when I was still using my eMac I had it hooked-up to 23" monitor & the rez. on that one was 1440 x ? (don't remember the height). I was surprised that it could do it (that's why I can remember the width).

Use an external display ///

hi guys,
i am about to buy an external display for my old powerbook but i was asking myself if all the menu top bar of all my applications could be controlled from the external display ... u get my point ?
if i ask you that , its because my laptop display is a bit broken at the top , its why i want to use external display ... cause now in all the applications the top menu bar is hidden by the screen bug/crash ... u get it ? ... and i dont wanna pay for an new 17 display , too old model u get my point ...
ty 4 your help guys ...

I use an external display also, but I have a Feb 2007 MBP. I can close my MBP (putting my MBP to sleep thus the external display also turns off) and click my remote or my external mouse or keyboard to wake it up. Since the MBP is closed it automatically sets the external display as primary with all menus. I'm not sure if your older Mac will operate the same way. I hope this gives u a better idea of what decision to make or what else to try or ask before making that decision.
Have Fun!

Using an external display only

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