Question on External Monitor with iBook

[skubish]

I am confused about the difference between connecting and external monitor to an iBook versus a PB.

Is there any difference? I just want to be able to turn off the display on the portable and use the external monitor at times.

Does connecting to an external monitor cut the VRAM available in half?

Thanks

[Spanky Deluxe]

The iBook supports screen mirroring, so you can use an external monitor mirroring the laptop screen or instead of it. I'm not sure if you can change the resolution to higher ones or not though, someone else will have to answer that.
The PowerBook supports mirroring as well as spanning so it can do all of what the iBook can do plus more.

[neoelectronaut]

The iBook supports screen mirroring, so you can use an external monitor mirroring the laptop screen or instead of it. I'm not sure if you can change the resolution to higher ones or not though, someone else will have to answer that.
The PowerBook supports mirroring as well as spanning so it can do all of what the iBook can do plus more.

The iBook can also span though a popular firmware hack....so really, other than 30" display support, in this facet, the iBook and Powerbooks are more or less equal.

[grapes911]

The iBook can also span though a popular firmware hack....so really, other than 30" display support, in this facet, the iBook and Powerbooks are more or less equal.

But remember, a hack can damage your computer (but it probably won't since many people have already used it.) It may also void your warranty.

[ftaok]

The iBook can also span though a popular firmware hack....so really, other than 30" display support, in this facet, the iBook and Powerbooks are more or less equal.
Not quite. The iBooks have VGA output whereas the PBooks have DVI.

[grapes911]

Not quite. The iBooks have VGA output whereas the PBooks have DVI.

Didn't even think of that. For an even more in-depth analysis, the 12-inch has mini-DVI and the 15 and 17 have normal DVI and S-Video. The 15 with the upgraded video card and the 17 have dual DVI.

[joshysquashy]

Both the powerbook and the ibook need converters to use the video output ports


ibooks have mini vga output powerbooks have dvi
both can output to tv with the right converter
ibooks require a hack for dual monitors
ibooks are not so good at graphicaly intensive programs when using dual monitors
ibooks cant display an external screen when the lid is shut


does anyone know if the dual monitor hack changes anything when no external display is attached? is the graphics ram still halved?

[Josh]

What I am curious about, is when using an external monitor on an iBook, is it possible to have the display NOT show on the iBook?

I usually dim the brightness all the way down, but I'd think there'd be better way :confused:

[grapes911]

What I am curious about, is when using an external monitor on an iBook, is it possible to have the display NOT show on the iBook?

I usually dim the brightness all the way down, but I'd think there'd be better way :confused:


Screen Spanning Doctor allows clamshell mode (close the laptop and use an external display). Use it at your own risk.

[Peter Griffin]

That doesn't make any sense whatsover, on Apple's part. Why have screen mirroring without the ability to turn off the lappy? Isn't the purpose of screen mirroring to use a larger display and NOT the one on ur notebook?

One more thing. Does the screen spanning hack really void your warranty?

[grapes911]

That doesn't make any sense whatsover, on Apple's part. Why have screen mirroring without the ability to turn off the lappy? Isn't the purpose of screen mirroring to use a larger display and NOT the one on ur notebook? Mirroring on the iBook is not really there to hook up a monitor. Its there to allow you to connect your iBook to a projector or TV for presentations. In this case, its doesn't matter if your computer is open or not.

One more thing. Does the screen spanning hack really void your warranty? I really don't know. Its not just software though, its actually hacks the firmware.

[DDarling]

I currently have a 14" G4 iBook, and am looking into hooking it up to a external monitor, such as aDell 24" LCD (http://www.compudirectpc.com/compatibility.aspx?product_ID=252). I already know the firmware hack that I need to download for this to work, but what converters are needed to hook it physically to the monitor.

DDarling

EDIT: Can anyone answer my question. It is my belief that all I need with this particular monitor is the adapter that comes with my iBook to convert my video out port to VGA. Correct?

[YS2003]

Didn't even think of that. For an even more in-depth analysis, the 12-inch has mini-DVI and the 15 and 17 have normal DVI and S-Video. The 15 with the upgraded video card and the 17 have dual DVI.
Is mini-DVI is different from DVI (except for the obvious port size difference)? I have both 15" and 12" and both of them are paired to ACD (15" PB with 23" ACD & 12" with 20" ACD) and what I see on the screens are both good.

[YS2003]

The iBook supports screen mirroring, so you can use an external monitor mirroring the laptop screen or instead of it. I'm not sure if you can change the resolution to higher ones or not though, someone else will have to answer that.
The PowerBook supports mirroring as well as spanning so it can do all of what the iBook can do plus more.
One of the reasons I chose a 12" PB over 12" iBook when I was looking for a smaller notebook is the screen spanning and clam shell features. I am weary of the hack on iBook to do the screen spanning as it is called "hack."

[DDarling]

It is my belief that all I need with this particular monitor is the adapter that comes with my iBook to convert my video out port to VGA. Correct?


Can anyone confirm or deny this thought?

Please.

[ftaok]

Can anyone confirm or deny this thought?

Please.
The specs on the Dell say VGA. The iBook can output VGA. I'd say you're set.

[dongmin]

Can anyone confirm or deny this thought?

Please.The issue will be whether the iBook, with its 32MB video card, can drive the 1920x1080 resolution of the Dell 24". I'm curious about this myself. I've done 1600x1200 with a 21" CRT, but I'm not sure about the 1920x1080.

As far as connectivity goes, you should be able to use the iBook VGA adapter to work with LCDs with VGA inputs.

[DDarling]

The issue will be whether the iBook, with its 32MB video card, can drive the 1920x1080 resolution of the Dell 24". I'm curious about this myself. I've done 1600x1200 with a 21" CRT, but I'm not sure about the 1920x1080.

As far as connectivity goes, you should be able to use the iBook VGA adapter to work with LCDs with VGA inputs.


Thats a really huge issue for me, but I also just found this (http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/73004/wo/Ph3PEEdkF5dg2tBCSGVuvc40uGA/2.0.0.11.1.0.6.7.3.5.1.1.6.1.5.1.0.5.0) on the Apple site. I have never used a Apple Display before, and am wondering what I need to connect to it. I have heard it is much more complicated then my previous idea of the dell display.

DDarling

[AcousticDoc]

The issue will be whether the iBook, with its 32MB video card, can drive the 1920x1080 resolution of the Dell 24". I'm curious about this myself. I've done 1600x1200 with a 21" CRT, but I'm not sure about the 1920x1080.

How was the performance of the 1600 resolution with the 16mb split?