Primary external monitor with MacBook


Recommended Posts

Hi everybody. I have a white MB (early 2008). I'm going to be getting an external monitor soon with a native resolution of 1920x1200 - the highest that the MB's Intel GMA X3100 will support.

I know that I can open System Preferences > Display and then click the little menubar and drag it to the other monitor to make it the primary. Here is the thing: I want to just use my 24" monitor and not use the MB's screen with it (I have an external keyboard and mouse).

Should I...

1. Use the two displays as an extended desktop and then (leave the MacBook lid open) just turn the brightness on the MB all the way off so the screen is black (no back light)?

or...

2. Just close the MacBook and use it in clam shell mode? I watch Hulu and YouTube a lot which causes the CPU load to increase and fans to spin up.... do I have to worry about over heating? I would be using the 24" monitor exclusively all the time and then take the MB when I go to class. Will this just ruin my MB pre-maturely?

Is there a different method besides theese two? What do you suggest? Thanks.

Edit: I know about the Apple support doc about clam shell mode. Apple doesn't say anything about over heating or extended use (as in all the time except for class) so I wanted some input from you guys. Thanks.

Edited by iMac430
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was faced with the same problem which you pose. I always left my MBP open, but I just turned the brightness off on the MBP screen, thus leaving it open (to ensure proper heat transfer) and using only one screen. The only downside here is you can potentially "lose" your cursor on the other screen if you forget it's actually activated. Poor workaround, but it works for me, so I thought I'd share

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Do this:

Run the computer in clam shell mode, if you are doing your basic computer work.

If you are playing any games or notice that the fans are running at a high RPM open the macbook after the external monitor is setup as your primary monitor and you see the dock and everything on it. If you do this the MacBook screen will stay off and allow some more heat to escape from the keyboard area - causing it to cool down.

If that doesn't work press ctrl+shift+eject will turn off your screen as well. Also there is some software called InsomanX that does the same thing.

I have been running this setup for over 2 years and never had a problem.

And if you are concerned about heat - look at a laptop cooler. I have one from Taragus that I use when I play games on my MBP - it is powered by USB and works great. Keeps it about 10-20 degress cooler

Link to comment
Share on other sites

@j.nudd

I was thinking the same thing, that I might loose the cursor to the MB screen. That seems like the only issue with this setup.

@thefarewellnote

I am thinking I might also give your idea a try. I know about the Ctrl+Shift+Eject command cause I use it now with just my MacBook sometimes. My question here is that if I use Ctrl+Shift+Eject, will it turn off the MacBook screen and the external monitor? I'd only want the ext. monitor to be on.

Lastly - this is going to be a 24" 1920x1200 monitor. Since my MacBook has the Intel GMA X3100 graphics, will I notice any slow down or choppy animations in OS X - like the dock or minimizing to the dock for example. This is the native resolution of the monitor and the highest that the X3100 will support. I was just wondering if I will notice a performance hit. I do not play any games (except for maybe a Flash game here and there and Bejeweled/Peggle Deluxe). All of my gaming is mostly on the Wii. Thanks everyone.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I am not sure about the Ctrl+Shift+Eject thing - I never use it. I just connect my MBP to my external and make sure the dock is appearing on the external monitor. Close the lid - if the computer goes to sleep I press a button on my keyboard and it brings up the screen on the external - I then open the MacBook up.

you shouldn't notice any slowness at all. I ran a white MacBook on a 24 inch monitor for months and didn't notice any slowdown. you should be good! :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thank you very much. I can't wait to get this monitor. I am so sick of this 13" screen as my main screen. For school/classes it's great because its so small, but for home use... that's a different story.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

@j.nudd

I was thinking the same thing, that I might loose the cursor to the MB screen. That seems like the only issue with this setup.

@thefarewellnote

I am thinking I might also give your idea a try. I know about the Ctrl+Shift+Eject command cause I use it now with just my MacBook sometimes. My question here is that if I use Ctrl+Shift+Eject, will it turn off the MacBook screen and the external monitor? I'd only want the ext. monitor to be on.

Lastly - this is going to be a 24" 1920x1200 monitor. Since my MacBook has the Intel GMA X3100 graphics, will I notice any slow down or choppy animations in OS X - like the dock or minimizing to the dock for example. This is the native resolution of the monitor and the highest that the X3100 will support. I was just wondering if I will notice a performance hit. I do not play any games (except for maybe a Flash game here and there and Bejeweled/Peggle Deluxe). All of my gaming is mostly on the Wii. Thanks everyone.

As far as I remember (I haven't used an external monitor in a while), the ctrl+shift+eject will shut off your external monitor, as well as your macbook's monitor, should you have both of them on

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If you want ONLY the external screen on you need an external keyboard and mouse too.

1.Plug them in

2.Close the MacBook till it sleeps

3.Move mouse to wake it up, and leave macbook close

Then your macbook will use the ext display and you can use the USB kb/mouse to control it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hey everyone. Well I got my monitor as a gift - Samsung T240HD.... outputs to 1920x1200 at 60Hz. I have the mini-DVI to VGA adapter that I am using right now. I close the MacBook, wake it up with my ext. keyboard and mouse and then open the MacBook - the display still stays off and my external display is my only pirmary display now.

Like I said I am using mini-DVI to VGA. Will I notice any clairty or other changes - better colors or anything if I buy and use the mini-DVI to DVI adapter since that is a pure digital signal and not analog? Thanks.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.