2009 Macbook Pro - External Monitor Options

[A4orce84]

Hey Everyone,

I currently use my 2009 Macbook Pro as my main home machine in clamshell mode. I have it hooked up to an external monitor and use it in clamshell mode 90% of the time. What external monitors would work with my old machine (27" range or larger)?

Background:
My question is I am looking for a newer / bigger / better external monitor than the one I currently use. I know I cannot use the new Thunderbolt Display, and that the video card in my 2009 macbook pro probably can't really power a lot of the newer super "retina" focused screens out there. So, I'm looking for another monitor in the 27" size range that would work with my macbook.

Anyone have any ideas or recommendations? TIA!

Thanks,
Asif

 

[snaky69]

Hey Everyone,

I currently use my 2009 Macbook Pro as my main home machine in clamshell mode. I have it hooked up to an external monitor and use it in clamshell mode 90% of the time. What external monitors would work with my old machine (27" range or larger)?

Background:
My question is I am looking for a newer / bigger / better external monitor than the one I currently use. I know I cannot use the new Thunderbolt Display, and that the video card in my 2009 macbook pro probably can't really power a lot of the newer super "retina" focused screens out there. So, I'm looking for another monitor in the 27" size range that would work with my macbook.

Anyone have any ideas or recommendations? TIA!

Thanks,
Asif

Anything with a resolution of 2550X1440 or lower will work. It says so right in the machine's manual if you still have it.

 

[A4orce84]

Anything with a resolution of 2550X1440 or lower will work. It says so right in the machine's manual if you still have it.

Thanks Snaky, unfortunately I no longer have the manual! What would 2550X1440 map to for most common monitor size? 27" Monitors I'm assuming?

Thanks,
Asif

 

[snaky69]

Thanks Snaky, unfortunately I no longer have the manual! What would 2550X1440 map to for most common monitor size? 27" Monitors I'm assuming?

Thanks,
Asif

I've seen it anywhere between about 21" up to the lower 30's.

Dumbed down definition of resolution = how much stuff you can fit on the screen at one time. The higher, the more stuff you can fit.

From there, you choose screen size according to how big you want your stuff displayed or how far/close you're sitting.

At 27" you'd get a pretty nice size and things would look well proportioned to your MBP's screen methinks.

 

[junkw]

Hey Everyone,

I currently use my 2009 Macbook Pro as my main home machine in clamshell mode. I have it hooked up to an external monitor and use it in clamshell mode 90% of the time. What external monitors would work with my old machine (27" range or larger)?

Background:
My question is I am looking for a newer / bigger / better external monitor than the one I currently use. I know I cannot use the new Thunderbolt Display, and that the video card in my 2009 macbook pro probably can't really power a lot of the newer super "retina" focused screens out there. So, I'm looking for another monitor in the 27" size range that would work with my macbook.

Anyone have any ideas or recommendations? TIA!

Thanks,
Asif

here is the list, have fun:

http://pcpartpicker.com/parts/monitor/#p=1&sort=a8&page=1&r=256001440&B=300,500&W=2600,3500

 

[A4orce84]

I'm assuming my 2009 Macbook Pro could not power some of these that are brand new and 4K resolution though correct?

Thanks,
Asif

 

[Fl0r!an]

Correct.

One note: If you decide to get a monitor with a bigger resolution than 1920x1200 you'll want to get one with DisplayPort, otherwise you'll have to use one of those rediciulously expensive mDP->DualLink DVI adapters.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP:

If you're searching for a new display, you should take a few minutes and browse this comprehensive listing of IPS monitors:
http://www.pchardwarehelp.com/guides/s-ips-lcd-list.php

 

[A4orce84]

Thanks guys for all the information. Anyone have any recommendations on monitors?

Since I'm not getting the latest and greatest monitor (4K), I'm assuming I could probably get away with a monitor that is 1-2 years old and still meets all the criteria I need (27", IPS screen, etc.).

Thanks,
Asif