Using External Monitor as display, and laptop for keyboard and track pad

Hi,
I have an aluminum Powerboook that is about two years old and I have it attached to a Samsung Syncmaster 203B external monitor. I have been looking for a set of instructions so that I can set the displays (I have been scouting around the preferences window and display options) to have the highest quality. At the present the words on my external monitor are a little fuzzy and I bet could be improved. Also, I've got the monitor and the computer set to be mirrored, but I really don't need the laptop window to be active. I'm just using it for it's keyboard and trackpad and it's sitting on my lap.
Thanks so much,
Rob Collins

Turn off mirroring if you don't need it. Set each display to it's native resolution. Your Powerbook is likely 1280x854, your Samsung is 1400x1050. Use the DVI interface.
Personally, I just dim my laptop when using the external display, although technically it's still active. Confuses the heck outta me sometimes when an app throws a window onto the laptop.

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HT5019 MacPro laptop display and 2 external monitors (three displays). Can I have more than one application displayed at a time?

I would like to have my MacPro laptop display and 2 external monitors (three displays). Question, how can I have more than one application displayed at a time? IE: I would like email on one monitor, Finder on my laptop, and iTunes on the other. Possible?
With extended desktop, it appears that I can only have one application presenting at a time. Sort of defeats the purpose of having multiple displays.
I am using the HDMI and the mini HDMI connectors.

I would like to have my MacPro laptop display and 2 external monitors (three displays). Question, how can I have more than one application displayed at a time? IE: I would like email on one monitor, Finder on my laptop, and iTunes on the other. Possible?
With extended desktop, it appears that I can only have one application presenting at a time. Sort of defeats the purpose of having multiple displays.
I am using the HDMI and the mini HDMI connectors.

Proceedure for using external monitor - help

I have a 2nd Gen MacBookPro with the FW800.
I was told that in order to properly utilize my external flat screen monitor I have to do the following:
1. Plug in external keyboard and mouse (not the monitor)
2. Start the laptop and log in using the laptop monitor
3. Once all is running, close the laptop lid, wait for the computer to go to sleep then connect the external DVI monitor.
4. Wake up the computer and the external monitor will display correctly.
This does work but is a pain.
If I connect the external monitor in the beginning, and then close the lid, the display is distorted (maybe simply a much lower resolution).
Is this normal? I was thinking about buying a dock and the benefit would be diminished if I still had to go through all this.

This process is only necessary if you are really constrained for space. Having both the MacBook's display and the monitor open simultaneously you get an extended desktop to move windows around. Closing your display, you lose a lot of workspace.
Yes it is distorted at the lowest resolutions. Though some monitors have better support for the progressive scan built-in to the MacBook Pro than others.
Also if your monitor is a 4:3 ratio display, the 16:9 "stretched" resolutions will appear distorted because you are trying to fit rectangular pixels on square ones!
Use a non-stretched resolution if you want less distortion on a 4:3 display, if that's what it is.

Using External Monitor (Closing Laptop shut down image on external)

I am always having to RESTART the MBP to get the screen on the external monitor exclusively. I usually use my MBP with external monitors but when I close the laptop the external goes blank too. Then i have to restart and close the laptop very quickly.
Is there some way to do this without restarting computer each time? (close laptop but keep image on external monitor).

My 'wish' is to be able to hot switch without 'sleeping' the MBP as this interrupts backups and network drives etc.
You mean that you want to be able to go from clamshell mode to open MBP with its display in use? As far as I know this isn't really possible. I'm not at home at my external screen right now so I can't test for sure... but as far as I know as soon as you are in clamshell mode the internal display is deactivated. Have you tried opening it up while its in clamshell mode and then unplugging the display? Maybe if you open it while in clamshell mode, and select "Detect Displays" before unplugging the external screen, the MBP display will come back on. In my mind, this should cause the MBP display to come on, but I'm not sure and I'm not in a position to test it now unfortunately. When I get home I'll check it out for you and see what I can figure.
You're right though, the best solution right now may be to leave the MBP open, use the external display in "mirror" mode, and dim the display of the MBP down to nothing using F1/F2.
One more thing: When I started using external monitors and projectors, I did not use the menubar item for "Displays". But, I've since started using it and it really makes things much more simple for managing external displays. You can turn it on in System Prefs --> Displays. Then you can detect displays, adjust their resolution, and change the mirroring settings on the fly without System Preferences.
--Travis

Can I use two Time Capsules? one as an extension of my laptop (for music and video storage) and the other one to back up everything from the laptop and Time Capsule (for music and videos)

Can I use two Time Capsules? one as an extension of my laptop (for music and video storage) and the other one to back up everything from the laptop and Time Capsule (for music and videos)

Not via Time Machine. It cannot back up from a network location.
The 3rd-party apps CarbonCopyCloner and ChronoSync may be workable alternatives.
EDIT: And, if you're going to do that, you could back up from the Time Capsule to a USB drive connected to the TC's USB port. Second TC not required.
Message was edited by: Pondini

If external monitor is placed above laptop screen, dock won't appear on external monitor

I've just migrated from PC to Mac and I've found something that drives me crazy. The dock won't appear on my external monitor if the external monitor is placed directly above the MacBook Air built in display. At home. I plug in my external monitor into my MacBook Air, place my laptop on my physical desktop just below my elevated external monitor. My MacBook Air is open and I use its keyboard and its display, but my main display is my external monitor. I configured displays to match the physical arrangement:
Darn: the DOCK REFUSES to appear on the "main screen"!! This drives me crazy -- this did not happen in Windows! The task bar obeyed my "main display" setting.
I can get the dock to appear on the main screen if I tell Mavericks of an arrangement that suits Mavericks -- somewhat side-by-side, as follows:
Now the dock shows up on my external monitor which I'd identified as my main screen before all these shenanigans.
The problem with the workaround is that the mouse does not track correctly between monitors so it's not an acceptable workaround.
Does anybody have any ideas on how to work around this for real?

Try booting your laptop normally, and then plug in the external monitor when the computer has fully logged in (or when it's waiting at the login screen). Does the problem still happen when you do that?

GS70 Stealth Pro Crashes when using external monitor..

Hi Guys,
I just bought a GS70 ghost pro a few weeks ago and have been loving it, no problems, running Battlefield 3 and watchdogs..
However I just bought an external monitor, Asus VG248QE, when i connected it via display port and tried to play Battlefield 3 on the external monitor the laptop crashed - both screens blank- fan on- power button went orange- had to hold down the power button to reset.
Tried it again, opened Bf3 in window mode, put it on external monitor, went to full screen - it played ok for a few minutes then the laptop crashed again..
I had played bf3 no problems on the laptop screen previously.
Anyone got any ideas what might be going on? I'm new to gaming on pc so I'm a bit lost, any suggestions would be welcome.
Thanks,
Dan

Which nvidia driver are you using? (latest one from nvidia GeFormce Experience or MSI website)
Try to use the one from MSI website and update the latest VBIOS(80.04.F7.00.0C).
http://www.msi.com/support/nb/GS70_2PE_Stealth_Pro.html#down-firmware&Win8.1 64
step by step guide:http://www.msi.com/files/pdf/VBIOS_Update_under_DOS_mode_EN.pdf
Can you check the CPU and GPU temperature under two situation? (1. when running without external monitor 2. using external monitor)

Since my G5 died I was thinking about getting a Mac Mini, but I have a ViewSonic Monitor (from 2004) and a USB keyboard and mouse - I also have the external drive tha downloaded my files on to. Do you think the monitor, keyboard and mouse will work on it?

Since my G5 died I was thinking about getting a Mac Mini, but I have a ViewSonic Monitor (from 2004) and a USB keyboard and mouse - I also have the external drive that I downloaded my files on to. Do you think the monitor, keyboard and mouse will work on it? Would I have to get a hub so I could use the stuff I already have? Is that viewsonic too old to work on it?
What else would I need? Please advise...

Yes for keyboard and mouse.
The monitor will work if it has an HDMI, VGA ir DVI input. If it only has a VGA input you will need this adopter
http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_mac/mac_accessories/cables/cable_choo ser#selected-step1=MINI-DISPLAY-PORT&selected-step2=VGA&step=3

Macbook Pro Stuck/Frozen while using external monitor

Macbook
13-inch, Mid 2010
Processor 2,4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
Graphics NVIDIA GeForce 320M 256 MB
Software OS X 10.9.1 (13B42)
While playing music through iTunes and having external monitor connected via DisplayPort adapters (various adapters and various monitors).
My MacBook freezes on random occasions. iTunes is stuck playing the last song and both displays are grey.
Disconnecting the monitor doesnt help. System is completely stuck.
Only solution is hard reboot.

Hey Renecek,
My first thought was, "Hey, you are using closed-clamshell mode".
How to use your Mac notebook computer in closed-clamshell (display closed) mode with an external display - Apple Support
But then I realized, wait, you want it to sleep.
For that, check out the suggestions in these articles.
OS X Yosemite: If your Mac won’t go to or stay in sleep
OS X: When your Mac doesn't sleep or wake - Apple Support
Take care,
Nubz

[Solved] Can't get external monitor to display correct resolution

I have a laptop with 1280x800 resolution, I hooked up a spare monitor we had sitting around that has a native resolution of 1280x1024 to my laptop. When I hook it up the external monitor displays a resolution of 1024x768. I use KDE 4.5, so I tried to change the resolution for the external monitor in System Settings but 1024x768 is the highest resolution listed.
I've tried messing around with xrandr through the command line (somewhat anyway) but I'm at a loss in trying to get the external monitor to display its native resolution. I'd like to get the external monitor to possibly replace my laptop monitor as it would add another 224 vertical pixels. Anyone have any ideas?
Last edited by herrvideman (2010-08-31 02:17:48)

You had said the native resolution is 1280x1024 -- I therefore assume this is an LCD monitor.
I would not generally expect LCDs to flicker. At what vertical frequency are you driving the display? Most LCDs operate at 60Hz. This is regardless of the local power line frequency or television standard.
Many CRT monitors are driven at 75 Hz to keep them from flickering or from "beating" with ambient lighting that is flickering at the local power line frequency (50 or 60 Hz). Again, this is not the correct thing to do with LCDs.
Bottom Line: Make sure your vertical frame rate is 60 Hz.

Using EXTERNAL Monitor (eSata question too) do you need KEYBOARD Attached?

First, do you need a keyboard attached? I ask as I can't seem to figure out how to use external MONITOR and CLOSE the macbook pro to watch STREAMING video as the computer goes to sleep.
Have tried using the F7 as well as in display preferences moving the DOCK to various monitors, regardless, it still goes to sleep when I shut the MBP, so am wondering if a keyboard has to be attached as it doesn't know you are watching video.
Second thing, I want to use the EXTERNAL to WATCH STREAMING video, however, if I click on FULL SCREEN (external) which is using Silveright, both DISPLAYS go FULL Screen. For the life of me I cannot get external to display FULL SCREEN and have the MBP open to use for other things, work, net browsing, et-cetera.
Thanks.

I ask as I can't seem to figure out how to use external MONITOR and CLOSE the macbook pro to watch STREAMING video as the computer goes to sleep.
If your MacBook Pro goes to sleep who will stream the video?
For the life of me I cannot get external to display FULL SCREEN and have the MBP open to use for other things, work, net browsing, et-cetera.
If the mirror display is turned off in the "Display" preference, you would be able to (usually) watch videos in full screen in the external display and work in your main display. But some application may not support this. Check if the application that you are using for streaming video has any preferences to deal with the external display, if not, see if there is any other application that would solve the problem.

Using External Monitor as Main Screen during OS Install?

I have a MacBook whose screen has gotten trashed (less than half of the left side visible), and I am resigned to using an external monitor. But I need to re-install Leopard. When I boot from the DVD, the trashed screen is the main one, and the external monitor is active, but the installer screens won't drag. Obviously I can't get to the Monitors Preferences to reset the main screen. BTW, resetting the main screen to the external monitor doesn't persist across the reboot.
SO: Is there a way to use the keyboard OR is there a Terminal command for switching the main screen to the external monitor?
Thanks in advance for any tips.

Try this trick. Get everything set for the install. You can have the disk in the drive so it is ready to rock as soon as you start. Have the external display hooked up. Turn off your MacBook. Now hit the on switch. As soon as you do close the display on the MacBook this will force the MacBook to use the external display as the main Monitor. Now do your install. You can open the MacBook and the internal display will stay off and the external will continue being the main monitor. This will allow use of the keyboard if you don't have an external one.

MBP 374, 10.9, cannot use external monitor

My notebook is Macbook Pro 374, OSX 10.9.1.
After updating my OS to 10.9, I noticed that my old laptop cannot use any external monitor: cannot recognize any monitor and all external monitor connected to my laptop will keep black... I guess the raison may be the new updated function of OS 10.9 have not been fully tested on old macines...
For I really need to use projectors for presentations, anyone can help??

No there isn't...
I'm sure that I checked the checkbox but there is not any icon shows up when the external monitor or projector has been connected...

External Monitors Dual Displays not supported

External Monitors Dual Displays not supported!
Yikes!
Why do I download BUGGY BETA OS? When will I learn ? DON't DO IT!
(sorry for shouting...)
There are no short cuts, no work arounds, no simple solutions...only updates
Please Apple code monkeys ..tear down this problem.
Thanks.
I feel better already .
--Marconi

Try this: Use the [√]Mirror displays oprions, choose your resolution, then desect the [ ]Mirror displays.
It shouldn't supossed to be like this, but until they send an update, this workarround will work.

Macbook Pro 15 Late 11 extreme fans noise when using external monitor

Dear Apple, recently I bought Macbook Pro 15 Late 11. I really love it's speed and new OS X Lion, BUT this Macbook really noisy when I use external monitor and keyboard. I work on external monitor all the time. I don't care about how hot my Macbook is when I'm on external monitor. Let it just be hot and quiet.
P.S. Example. I run Ableton Live and have 6200 RPM working on external monitor (awfully loud!). CPU 90% idle. When I switch off external monitor and use internal one, RPM drops down to 4500 with the same Ableton work session. By the way, I don't need cool graphic card. Apple, let our work days be quiet.

I did that and it didn't help. It's common problem with an external monitor. Here are some links:
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1162550
http://www.ivy-rose.co.uk/Articles/Macbook-Pro-Cooling-Issues

Using External Monitor as display, and laptop for keyboard and track pad

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