iMac and extra monitor question

C

chronocrosser

macrumors newbie

Original poster

Apr 17, 2008

4

0

• Apr 17, 2008

• #1

Hi all,

I need some input here.

I'm looking to buy the iMac 2.8 gHz 24" when the Penryn processor comes in...

I have a 24" widescreen non-Mac monitor already - can I plug that into the iMac so I have 2 monitors? Or do i need another video card/better faster video card than what it comes with?

I'm dying to get a Mac - does anyone know if the new model will be out this month? (April) I'm following that rumour page pretty much every day

 

M

MM07

macrumors 6502a

Feb 10, 2008

663

63

• Apr 17, 2008

• #2

Yes you can. I did the same with an HP monitor. You just have to get the correct cable to do it.

More than likely you'll need this one:

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APP...shop_mac/mac_accessories/cables&nplm=MB203G/A

 

cherry su

macrumors 65816

Feb 28, 2008

1,217

1

• Apr 17, 2008

• #3

All you need is a miniDVI to DVI converter. You can get that from the Apple store (or a 3rd party reseller).

 

C

chronocrosser

macrumors newbie

Original poster

Apr 17, 2008

4

0

• Apr 17, 2008

• #4

thanks you 2.

That's great!

So now, Cherry is the quality you are getting still awesome - I mean screen refreshing etc...

I'm not up on how video cards work - but on my PC now with 2 monitors the refresh seems to be very weird...

I mean the 24" iMac mon is huge and then I am plugging in another 24" mon - is the ATI Radeon HD 2600 PRO with 256MB memory able to handle the 2 mons with great quality? Or should I up the MB to 512?

I know - this is such a greedy question..I feel like Hugh Jackman in Swordfish.

 

orpheus1120

macrumors 65816

Jan 23, 2008

1,435

61

Malaysia

• Apr 17, 2008

• #5

You can't upgrade the GPU youself unless it's a BTO option.

The iMac graphic card - whichever it might be when penryn comes will be capable of powering an additional display (up to 23") adequately without compromising graphics.

 

C

chronocrosser

macrumors newbie

Original poster

Apr 17, 2008

4

0

• Jul 3, 2008

• #6

Just in case anyone else stumbles across this and has the same problem...the comments given worked fine for me - I have a generic widescreen monitor and with the cable I was able extend my 24" iMac monitor to a huge size with no loss in resolution/sharpness etc...the only problem is the crystal iMac screen looks 1 million times better than the non-crystal screen - so I stick the email and typing apps on that side while I work in the clearer crystal side for Photoshop etc.

Yes I am greedy with the monitor space - and the 3.0ghz iMac is the best Mac I have ever had for a web designer like myself.

Cheers.