Hello, I'm a new member and this is my first time posting here (or anywhere for that matter). I'm hoping you can help me solve this problem or at least better understand it.
I currently have a MB (specs at end of post) hooked up to an Epson projector, but periodically the image turns to "snow" and then goes black for a second before returning. This seems to occur mainly when watching video or loading pages with videos, more often if several pages are open. I'm not claiming to know whats going on, but the best I can tell from what I've read it seems the MB may not be up to the task of powering a large external display, at least in HD. (Maybe the integrated GPU is not powerful enough???...guess this is really the first place I could use input)
Anyway, I am considering purchasing another Mac to use with the projector (can either keep the macbook or sell it). Here is where I'm hoping you can help me:
1) Which would give better picture quality when using a large external display (projector)...MBP vs Mac Mini?....and why? (I don't play any games, just streaming video, surfing web, etc...)
-I'm not sure I truly understand when having an integrated vs dedicated GPU really matters...was under the impression this was mainly when it comes to games.
2) If I am going to buy one of the two, should I go with the HDD or SSD option and can I add to the internal storage aftermarket to save money or would my only option be to add an external HD or NAS?
3) If it turns out that the dedicated GPU is important (which I believe leaves me with the MBP)...for the price would I be better off to get a refurbished Mac Pro, since I already have a laptop?
- When I recalculated the prices for each MBP with the different upgrades (Processors/RAM/Storage) it seems you very quickly get in the price range of a Mac Pro...which has much more potential for future expansion/upgrades, right?
Thank you in advance for both you help and your patience! I know I'm all over the place with my questions and I'm sorry if my assumptions or terminology are incorrect. I'm trying to learn, just have a long way to go still.
Current MacBook Specs:
2008 (Aluminum), 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 4GB 1067 MHz DDR3, NVIDIA GeForce 9400M 256MB
I currently have a MB (specs at end of post) hooked up to an Epson projector, but periodically the image turns to "snow" and then goes black for a second before returning. This seems to occur mainly when watching video or loading pages with videos, more often if several pages are open. I'm not claiming to know whats going on, but the best I can tell from what I've read it seems the MB may not be up to the task of powering a large external display, at least in HD. (Maybe the integrated GPU is not powerful enough???...guess this is really the first place I could use input)
Anyway, I am considering purchasing another Mac to use with the projector (can either keep the macbook or sell it). Here is where I'm hoping you can help me:
1) Which would give better picture quality when using a large external display (projector)...MBP vs Mac Mini?....and why? (I don't play any games, just streaming video, surfing web, etc...)
-I'm not sure I truly understand when having an integrated vs dedicated GPU really matters...was under the impression this was mainly when it comes to games.
2) If I am going to buy one of the two, should I go with the HDD or SSD option and can I add to the internal storage aftermarket to save money or would my only option be to add an external HD or NAS?
3) If it turns out that the dedicated GPU is important (which I believe leaves me with the MBP)...for the price would I be better off to get a refurbished Mac Pro, since I already have a laptop?
- When I recalculated the prices for each MBP with the different upgrades (Processors/RAM/Storage) it seems you very quickly get in the price range of a Mac Pro...which has much more potential for future expansion/upgrades, right?
Thank you in advance for both you help and your patience! I know I'm all over the place with my questions and I'm sorry if my assumptions or terminology are incorrect. I'm trying to learn, just have a long way to go still.
Current MacBook Specs:
2008 (Aluminum), 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 4GB 1067 MHz DDR3, NVIDIA GeForce 9400M 256MB