Can MBP 2010 still power external monitors?

[Smittens]

Hi guys.

I’m not sure what specs I’m meant to be looking at for external monitor use with my MBP. I’m mainly looking for use with stock charts (though also university studies and music recording) so thinking wide-screen, though don’t necessarily know that that’s the best option? I’m assuming that I do get more real estate (ie, I’ll see more of the stock’s chart history) and it‘s not just stretching what appears on my MBP screen to fit the external monitor? I’m not even sure how you can control that, but I’m sure I’ll learn via YouTube. I’ve provided two links as an example. I’m only looking at lower end of budget (200-350 USD).

There is a 29” LG Ultrawide and a 34” LG Ultrawide.

https://www.centrecom.com.au/lg-29-class-219-ultrawide-fhd-ips-monitor

LG 29'' Class 21:9 UltraWide FHD IPS Monitor with HDR 10, sRGB 99% (CIE1931), IPS, 5ms (GtG at Faster), 75Hz, 21:9, 2560 x 1080, Anti Glare, 3H, Radeon FreeSync, Wall Mount Size 100 x 100 mm, HDMI

LG 34" 34WL500-B UltraWide IPS LED Monitor with HDR10

|| 34” 21:9 WFHD (2560 x 1080) IPS Display || sRGB 99% Color Gamut || HDR 10 || Radeon FreeSync™ Technology || 3-year Warranty

www.centrecom.com.au

• 34” 21:9 WFHD (2560 x 1080) IPS Display
• sRGB 99% Color Gamut
• HDR 10
• Radeon FreeSync™ Technology
• 3-year Warranty

As an aside, I expect I’ll be buying a new MBP in the next 12 months - thinking either a 2015 or a new higher spec 13” or lower spec 16”. Just can’t justify the spend at the moment. I’m also trialling my iPad Pro 10.5 as a potential full-time alternative by recently adding Apple magic keyboard and the great software update that now allows me to use my bluetooth mouse. The biggest issue in that regard is that I prefer the MacOS for the charts compared to the iPadOS. It will also come in handy for recording music/podcasts etc.

It leads me to another query - if I were to purchase an external monitor like the above, am I able to connect my iPad Pro to it as well? Will further help me determine whether my iPad can become a full-time replacement.

My MBP is mid-2010 13” 2.4Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo, 4GB 1067MHz DDR3, NVIDIA GeForce 320M 256MB, 240GB Solid State SATA Drive.

She’s definitely not running optimally anymore, but holding onto her until I‘m certain I need a new laptop rather than just running with iPad.

If anyone can shed any light, will be much appreciated!

Cheers

 

[Fishrrman]

You're probably going to have to do some research on what the 2010 MBP can handle insofar as external displays go.

I wouldn't try using more than one with it.

Also, I'm doubting that it has "enough" to handle an extra-widescreen display, as there weren't that many of them in 2010 and the onboard graphics may not support such resolutions...

 

[avz]

Hi guys.

I’m not sure what specs I’m meant to be looking at for external monitor use with my MBP. I’m mainly looking for use with stock charts (though also university studies and music recording) so thinking wide-screen, though don’t necessarily know that that’s the best option? I’m assuming that I do get more real estate (ie, I’ll see more of the stock’s chart history) and it‘s not just stretching what appears on my MBP screen to fit the external monitor? I’m not even sure how you can control that, but I’m sure I’ll learn via YouTube. I’ve provided two links as an example. I’m only looking at lower end of budget (200-350 USD).

There is a 29” LG Ultrawide and a 34” LG Ultrawide.

https://www.centrecom.com.au/lg-29-class-219-ultrawide-fhd-ips-monitor

LG 29'' Class 21:9 UltraWide FHD IPS Monitor with HDR 10, sRGB 99% (CIE1931), IPS, 5ms (GtG at Faster), 75Hz, 21:9, 2560 x 1080, Anti Glare, 3H, Radeon FreeSync, Wall Mount Size 100 x 100 mm, HDMI

LG 34" 34WL500-B UltraWide IPS LED Monitor with HDR10

|| 34” 21:9 WFHD (2560 x 1080) IPS Display || sRGB 99% Color Gamut || HDR 10 || Radeon FreeSync™ Technology || 3-year Warranty

www.centrecom.com.au

• 34” 21:9 WFHD (2560 x 1080) IPS Display
• sRGB 99% Color Gamut
• HDR 10
• Radeon FreeSync™ Technology
• 3-year Warranty

As an aside, I expect I’ll be buying a new MBP in the next 12 months - thinking either a 2015 or a new higher spec 13” or lower spec 16”. Just can’t justify the spend at the moment. I’m also trialling my iPad Pro 10.5 as a potential full-time alternative by recently adding Apple magic keyboard and the great software update that now allows me to use my bluetooth mouse. The biggest issue in that regard is that I prefer the MacOS for the charts compared to the iPadOS. It will also come in handy for recording music/podcasts etc.

It leads me to another query - if I were to purchase an external monitor like the above, am I able to connect my iPad Pro to it as well? Will further help me determine whether my iPad can become a full-time replacement.

My MBP is mid-2010 13” 2.4Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo, 4GB 1067MHz DDR3, NVIDIA GeForce 320M 256MB, 240GB Solid State SATA Drive.

She’s definitely not running optimally anymore, but holding onto her until I‘m certain I need a new laptop rather than just running with iPad.

If anyone can shed any light, will be much appreciated!

Cheers

I am using this very same MacBook Pro in a clamshell mode with a 43 inch Full HD Sony Bravia TV(September 2015). It runs very cool despite clamshell. According to the specs it can only drive a monitor with a resolution up to 2560X1440.

 

[Smittens]

I am using this very same MacBook Pro in a clamshell mode with a 43 inch Full HD Sony Bravia TV(September 2015). It runs very cool despite clamshell. According to the specs it can only drive a monitor with a resolution up to 2560X1440.

You're probably going to have to do some research on what the 2010 MBP can handle insofar as external displays go.

I wouldn't try using more than one with it.

Also, I'm doubting that it has "enough" to handle an extra-widescreen display, as there weren't that many of them in 2010 and the onboard graphics may not support such resolutions...

Thanks for the feedback! AVZ, I’m thinking that if it’s ok for the 43 inch TV then it should be ok with an UltraWide screen .. as long as the resolution is within those 2560x1440 limits. Is that what you would think?

 

[Fishrrman]

I can't answer the question... you'll need reports from other users who have tried it.

 

[JulienBerthelot]

Hi guys.

I’m not sure what specs I’m meant to be looking at for external monitor use with my MBP. I’m mainly looking for use with stock charts (though also university studies and music recording) so thinking wide-screen, though don’t necessarily know that that’s the best option? I’m assuming that I do get more real estate (ie, I’ll see more of the stock’s chart history) and it‘s not just stretching what appears on my MBP screen to fit the external monitor? I’m not even sure how you can control that, but I’m sure I’ll learn via YouTube. I’ve provided two links as an example. I’m only looking at lower end of budget (200-350 USD).

There is a 29” LG Ultrawide and a 34” LG Ultrawide.

https://www.centrecom.com.au/lg-29-class-219-ultrawide-fhd-ips-monitor

LG 29'' Class 21:9 UltraWide FHD IPS Monitor with HDR 10, sRGB 99% (CIE1931), IPS, 5ms (GtG at Faster), 75Hz, 21:9, 2560 x 1080, Anti Glare, 3H, Radeon FreeSync, Wall Mount Size 100 x 100 mm, HDMI

LG 34" 34WL500-B UltraWide IPS LED Monitor with HDR10

|| 34” 21:9 WFHD (2560 x 1080) IPS Display || sRGB 99% Color Gamut || HDR 10 || Radeon FreeSync™ Technology || 3-year Warranty

www.centrecom.com.au

• 34” 21:9 WFHD (2560 x 1080) IPS Display
• sRGB 99% Color Gamut
• HDR 10
• Radeon FreeSync™ Technology
• 3-year Warranty

As an aside, I expect I’ll be buying a new MBP in the next 12 months - thinking either a 2015 or a new higher spec 13” or lower spec 16”. Just can’t justify the spend at the moment. I’m also trialling my iPad Pro 10.5 as a potential full-time alternative by recently adding Apple magic keyboard and the great software update that now allows me to use my bluetooth mouse. The biggest issue in that regard is that I prefer the MacOS for the charts compared to the iPadOS. It will also come in handy for recording music/podcasts etc.

It leads me to another query - if I were to purchase an external monitor like the above, am I able to connect my iPad Pro to it as well? Will further help me determine whether my iPad can become a full-time replacement.

My MBP is mid-2010 13” 2.4Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo, 4GB 1067MHz DDR3, NVIDIA GeForce 320M 256MB, 240GB Solid State SATA Drive.

She’s definitely not running optimally anymore, but holding onto her until I‘m certain I need a new laptop rather than just running with iPad.

If anyone can shed any light, will be much appreciated!

Cheers

To be honest, I wouldn't do it. The max res is 2560x1600 so you would be able to run it but these Macs (mid-2010) have a problem with a certain capacitor and it ends up breaking under heavy use. I broke mine and the discrete graphics became unusable, the Mac would randomly turn off when switching graphics card. You can look that up here:

Since using a second display automatically uses the discrete graphics, I would wait to get another Mac and then chose a 4k monitor or something with a hidpi res.

 

[avz]

Thanks for the feedback! AVZ, I’m thinking that if it’s ok for the 43 inch TV then it should be ok with an UltraWide screen .. as long as the resolution is within those 2560x1440 limits. Is that what you would think?

Yes, I think it should work.

To be honest, I wouldn't do it. The max res is 2560x1600 so you would be able to run it but these Macs (mid-2010) have a problem with a certain capacitor and it ends up breaking under heavy use. I broke mine and the discrete graphics became unusable, the Mac would randomly turn off when switching graphics card. You can look that up here:

Since using a second display automatically uses the discrete graphics, I would wait to get another Mac and then chose a 4k monitor or something with a hidpi res.

You are talking about the 15 inch model, we are talking about the 13 inch model here.

 

[JulienBerthelot]

Yes, I think it should work.



You are talking about the 15 inch model, we are talking about the 13 inch model here.

I thought both could be affected. Sorry then!

 

[justashooter]

The 2010 MacBook Pro 13 does handle up to 2560 x 1600 natively. If it does not have a native driver for 2560 x 1080 you can probably use SwitchResX to run that resolution. I use SwitchResX to run my 2012 MBP 13 screen at 1680x1050 and a 1980x 1200 Apple cinema display at 2560x1600.