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Buying advice- PB12" + 2405FPW

M

mmoin

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jun 15, 2001
138
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I'm about to pull the trigger on what seems to me will be a fantastic setup- a 1.5ghz 12" PB and a Dell 2405FPW 24" display. I plan to use the FPW as my primary desktop display, and to use the PIP and input switching capabilities to also run my digital cable through it. Will probably also be a nice space saver since I am living in a dorm next year and would like to go without a separate TV.

Anyway, my only concern is the 64MB of VRAM supporting the highest resolution on the 2405FPW at a decent refresh rate. Can it do so? Also, is there anything else I've neglected to consider?

Thanks,
Andrew
 
mmoin said:
I'm about to pull the trigger on what seems to me will be a fantastic setup- a 1.5ghz 12" PB and a Dell 2405FPW 24" display. I plan to use the FPW as my primary desktop display, and to use the PIP and input switching capabilities to also run my digital cable through it. Will probably also be a nice space saver since I am living in a dorm next year and would like to go without a separate TV.

Anyway, my only concern is the 64MB of VRAM supporting the highest resolution on the 2405FPW at a decent refresh rate. Can it do so? Also, is there anything else I've neglected to consider?

Thanks,
Andrew
Click to expand...
I can´t answer your question, but the LCD technology doesn´t have any refresh rates.
 
remember if you span it effectively cuts your video memory in half.

I have a 12" 1.5 PB and I regularly run spanned to a 1600 x 1200 monitor with no problems. I doubt you would have any problems if you didn't span and may not even if you did.

But with 24 inches, who would want to? :)
 
mmoin said:
I'm about to pull the trigger on what seems to me will be a fantastic setup- a 1.5ghz 12" PB and a Dell 2405FPW 24" display. I plan to use the FPW as my primary desktop display, and to use the PIP and input switching capabilities to also run my digital cable through it.
Click to expand...

How are you planning on connecting the digital cable to the 2405FPW?
 
Willy S said:
I can´t answer your question, but the LCD technology doesn´t have any refresh rates.
Click to expand...

That's not true, LCDs do have refresh rates (usually between 60 and 70 Hz). They don't matter very much though, because the pixels "stay lit" between cycles, unlike in CRTs, where the pixels "flash" every cycle.
 
Linkjeniero said:
That's not true, LCDs do have refresh rates (usually between 60 and 70 Hz). They don't matter very much though, because the pixels "stay lit" between cycles, unlike in CRTs, where the pixels "flash" every cycle.
Click to expand...
Ok. ;)
 
tuartboy said:
remember if you span it effectively cuts your video memory in half.

I have a 12" 1.5 PB and I regularly run spanned to a 1600 x 1200 monitor with no problems. I doubt you would have any problems if you didn't span and may not even if you did.

But with 24 inches, who would want to? :)
Click to expand...
Do you loose any of Tiger´s visual goodies by doing this? I´m thinking about doing the same with my 17" iMac G5 rev A.
 
just a small warning.

the dell monitor is 24" physically, and 1920x1200 in pixels.

the apple 23" is 23" physically, and 1920x1200 in pixels, to maintain apple's 100 pixels per inch standard density (this density is found on all apple products with the exception of the 14" iBook and the eMac (although I believe it can be reached on the eMac as well.

the result is that if you're used to using apple products, the dell monitor will feel slightly "blockier" or something like that, as the pixels are larger.

note: this is not in any way a plug of the apple 23", i'm just warning you it will feel different than apple monitors/laptops.
 
zach said:
just a small warning.

the dell monitor is 24" physically, and 1920x1200 in pixels.

the apple 23" is 23" physically, and 1920x1200 in pixels, to maintain apple's 100 pixels per inch standard density (this density is found on all apple products with the exception of the 14" iBook and the eMac (although I believe it can be reached on the eMac as well.

the result is that if you're used to using apple products, the dell monitor will feel slightly "blockier" or something like that, as the pixels are larger.

note: this is not in any way a plug of the apple 23", i'm just warning you it will feel different than apple monitors/laptops.
Click to expand...
hardly noticeable though.
 
Yes, I'm planning to input the digital cable into the 2405fpw as well. That should work also, right?
 
mmoin said:
Yes, I'm planning to input the digital cable into the 2405fpw as well. That should work also, right?
Click to expand...

Via which connector though? Just curious. Also, what kind of output ports does your digital cable box have?
 
I'm fairly sure you will need some sort of TV tuner in order to hook up the cable. most college dorms have the standard coax stuff, so you won't be able to directly connect it to the moniter.
 
That's a good call- I appreciate your mentioning that PIP doesn't work with DVI. I suppose I will get an eyetv or something then.
 
mmoin said:
That's a good call- I appreciate your mentioning that PIP doesn't work with DVI. I suppose I will get an eyetv or something then.
Click to expand...
You could pick up the 2005FPW instead of the 2405FPW and spend the difference on an EyeTV!
 
tuartboy said:
remember if you span it effectively cuts your video memory in half.

I have a 12" 1.5 PB and I regularly run spanned to a 1600 x 1200 monitor with no problems. I doubt you would have any problems if you didn't span and may not even if you did.

But with 24 inches, who would want to? :)
Click to expand...

Who wouldn't want to?

I never really understood the people who don't span their display - why waste 12in of screen space? :confused:

andy.
 
_pb_boi said:
why waste 12in of screen space? :confused:
Click to expand...
Why reduce the life of the internal LCD when you don't have to?

The bulb behind the LCD has a finite lifespan. Every second that you use it shortens the remainder of that lifespan. I could take apart a 2005FPW to replace a bulb ... but I would *not* want to take apart my Powerbook to do the same.

Also -- I've noticed that leaving the internal LCD off helps keep heat to a minimum. :)
 
edesignuk must be out this afternoon. If I recall correctly, his rig is a first generation G5 imac, with the ibook monitor spanning hack and a 2005FPW. I think it works well for him. Here is a picture he posted. Scroll down for more discussion. Note that the most vram you could get in the G5 imac was 64 MB-- same as the powerbook-- So I think you'll be fine.

By the way, thanks to edesignuk for setting up MRGoogle-- I could never have found the original post without it.
 
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