[DM-MUG] Multiple-Monitor How-To?

[AB]

If I recall correctly you can buy a mini DVI to DVI or to VGA cable. It doesn't have to be apple brand. Since you have 2 external monitors with different connectors it's not going to be as easy as you want. Cabletogo.com may have a solution. I don't think anywhere in Iowa will have anything that helps. If they were both VGA you could buy a KVM switch. a VGA Y-cable/splitter (or called VGA 2-way splitter) was about $129-$300 and this was a few years ago.

If this was a normal desktop computer, all you would have to do is add a second graphics video card with the appropriate port and hook it up. I'm getting rusty on the specs for Apple laptops... but if your laptop has both a standard VGA AND a mini DVI you can achieve your goal. If your laptop has a standard DVI AND a mini DVI then you can achieve your goal. if your laptop ONLY has the mini DVI then you need search the internet for a 2 or 3 way splitter. 

Lowendmac.com is a good resource I like to use. It might be of some help.

I have a PC laptop that will let me close the laptop, but still display what I want on the external monitor as long as I have my standby function and some of my power settings adjusted. However, I have to make sure I sleep/hibernate/power down my laptop prior to connecting any external monitor.

Hope this helps?

--- On Mon, 6/22/09, Alexander Rhoads <alexander at rhoads.us> wrote:

> From: Alexander Rhoads <alexander at rhoads.us>
> Subject: [DM-MUG] Multiple-Monitor How-To?
> To: dmmug at dmmug.org
> Date: Monday, June 22, 2009, 2:34 PM
> Being new to the world of multiple
> monitors and the MiniDisplayPort
> functionality, perhaps the group can help me out with what
> undoubtedly
> two fairly simple questions.
> 
> I've got one of the new MacBookPro 13" with the following
> video output
> options through its "MiniDisplayPort":
> 
> 1. DVI output using Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter
> (optional)
> 2. VGA output using Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter
> (optional)
> 3. Dual-link DVI output using Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link
> DVI Adapter
> supports 30-inch Apple Cinema HD Display (optional)
> 
> Two questions:
> 
> 1.  What additional hardware/cabling/magic boxes do I
> need to connect my
> ONE MBP with its ONE MiniDisplayPort to TWO (2) Samsung LCD
> monitors
> that have DVI and VGA input ports?
> 
> and,
> 
> 2.  If I also attach an external keyboard and mouse
> via bluetooth or
> USB, can I run the MBP using only the external monitors for
> display
> (i.e., with the laptop's display closed)?
> 
> Again, I apologize in advance for what are probably quite
> simple
> questions, but I'm not totally acclimated yet in the
> MacBook and this is
> all very different from my trusty ol' iMac at home!
> 
> -- 
> Alexander Rhoads
> Central Iowa (USA)
> alexander at rhoads.us
> 
> 
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