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

[AB]

You purchase the mini DVI to DVI cable. then you purchase a 2 way DVI cable from the internet (looks like a Y cable) then. one part goes to MBP, one goes to the DVI monitor. Then the third connects to a DVI to VGA cable. The VGA portion connects to the VGA monitor. 

So you have the following chain
MBP with one miniDVI >> mini DVI to DVI cable >> 2 way DVI cable 

the 'legs' of the 2 way DVI cable (shouldn't matter which leg goes where)
1 leg goes to the DVI monitor
1 leg connects to the DVI to VGA cable >> VGA Monitor.

You may want to get a second opinion. You could easily spend about $200 or more in cables. There are external graphic cards (they really look similar to switch modules for TVs. These devices are small, easy to use, but the quality isn't much since they connect to your computer via USB or Firewire. Personally I really wouldn't invest in trying to connect to VGA unless it's an absolute daily need. 

DVI and VGA have different resolutions... One is digital info and the other converts digital info into analog signal (VGA) so a setting on one monitor may not look as good on the other.


Angela Bennett
anastasia_prittee at yahoo.com

--- 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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