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About external monitor + ibook

calebjohnston

calebjohnston

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Jan 24, 2006
1,801
1
iBook g4.

Is it possible to just plug in an external display and use it along with the laptop's screen as a second display? I've never used a second display, just thought it'd be cool to try. I'm not at home so I can't just go ahead and try it or I would have already.

Thanks.
 
calebjohnston said:
iBook g4.

Is it possible to just plug in an external display and use it along with the laptop's screen as a second display? I've never used a second display, just thought it'd be cool to try. I'm not at home so I can't just go ahead and try it or I would have already.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

From the factory, the iBook is only capable of screen mirroring. That is, it just shows a duplicate image of what is on it's own display on the external display. To use the iBook with the external and a second display, in other words adding more screen space, you need to use a screen spanning hack. Just do a Google search and you should find tons. I am not recommending this or anything because I have never tried it and it is NOT supported by Apple. Use at your own risk.
 
Ah, that's what I figured. Bummer. I'm not going to go messing with that.

Thanks anyway.
 
it does work (but best for being able to bump up the external screen to a higher resolution than the LCD can do, rather than running your desktop across two screens) but using it VOIDS YOUR WARRANTY.
 
maybe when my warranty runs out. I just bought this one, no point in voiding it now.
 
Related To This...kinda

I would LOVE to use an external monitor with my ibook G4 (1.33 ghz)

Anybody have any suggestions of the best kind? I'm looking for either a 19" or a 23/24"...

Also - can I just plug it into the iBook, or do I need to get a special cable?


Thanks!

Greg.
 
you'll need this adapter, which should have shipped with your iBook.

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APP.../wo/StoreReentry.wo?productLearnMore=M8639G/A

ibook_vga_adapter_125.jpg
 
it only depends whether you set a montior with a vga or dvi input and whether the iBook has a matching output. Adaptors are readily available in any case.

The iBooks are limited to mirroring however (ie you see the same thing at the same resolution as on the iBook on the external monitor) If you want spanning (the ability to have a different - higher - resolution setting on the external or the ability to "span" your desktop across both screens simultaneously) you need to hack the firmware, as described above.
 
Re: Related, Kinda

I do have the adapter - just wasn't sure that would be the right one.

Any recommendations of good monitors for 19", 21", 24"?

And anything else I should know? I'm using this for ProTools music, editing sessions so I need a bigger screen to see more at once.


Thanks again!

Greg
 
Oh, and I actually do want it to be a mirror (exactly what's on the iBook screen). I don't think I need more resolution - I just need to a larger screen!

Umm...right?


Thanks again again,

A guy who thought he knew something about computers at one time...
 
you do know even if you mirror your vram will be split between the external monitor and ibook......the screen spanning doctor is safe i have been using it for some time now with no problems what so ever.

without the SPD....your resolution will stay at the same as the ibook so if u get a monitor with a high res...it wont look too nice.

Bless
 
Ah! Really? So if I need to scroll left or right (or up or down) to see something on my iBook ...that problem is not solved with simply plugging in a larger monitor?
 
Just remember, ibook's have to be open to stay on -- even with an external display, etc attached.

There's always the hack for that too, but I don't think you want your ibook overheating and exploding into a ball of flames with reat rivaled only by the sun itself. Ouch.
 
OK, thanks very much I think I'm clear now.

To be able to have more screen space (see more than what's on the iBook screen), I need to use that Screen Spanning Doctor hack.

Otherwise the screen will be exactly the same, just larger.

Right?
 
frankblundt said:
snip ... but using it VOIDS YOUR WARRANTY.
Click to expand...
It doesn't say anything like that on the SSD website ... or does messing with the Firmware always void the warrenty?
 
shrimpdesign said:
It doesn't say anything like that on the SSD website ... or does messing with the Firmware always void the warrenty?
Click to expand...
maybe that was just paranoid rambling from the guys who have our tech support contract, but i thought i had read it somewhere - worth checking with Apple first in any case.
 
You could probably get away with it if the problem is not screen-related . . . ?
Oh well, my warranty's ended now anyway :p

::20ROGERSC::
 
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