Help and Questions about MACBOOK and DISPLAY?

[jason2811]

I've had my MacBook for a year now and I use it at college everyday. I'm tired of always looking at the 13" screen and I'm probably going to buy a Samsung 19"widescreen display later this week. I just had some questions though:

1) Is there a certain type of display that I have to buy? Or will any Samsung widescreen LCD work with my MacBook? Does it have to mention "works with a Mac" on the box or will they usually "just work"?

2) Is there a certain type of wire that I will need to buy to attach the display to my Macbook? Price of this wire?

3) I'm also going to buy a wired Apple Keyboard and wired Apple MightyMouse since I heard not so good reviews about the wireless ones. Will I end up plugging these devices into my actual Macbook or into the display (do most displays have USBs? ) ?

4) What happens to the Macbook while its connected to the display? Do I just keep it closed and off to the side? Does it remain open? Do I have to keep it plugged into the charger or does it get charged by being plugged into the display?

5) Currently I have about 20 different wallpapers on my Macbook that rotate everyday. They are sized 1200x800 I believe. Will I have to re-download all of these in a different size so they will appear on the new 19" display? Or will they simply readjust themselves to the new screen?

Thanks for all the help! Much appreciated!

 

[iBookG4user]

1) Is there a certain type of display that I have to buy? Or will any Samsung widescreen LCD work with my MacBook? Does it have to mention "works with a Mac" on the box or will they usually "just work"?

No, it doesn't have to say it will work with a Mac. Displays just work.

2) Is there a certain type of wire that I will need to buy to attach the display to my Macbook? Price of this wire?

I'm not sure if the MacBook comes with a Mini DVI to DVI adapter, if it doesn't here is one.

3) I'm also going to buy a wired Apple Keyboard and wired Apple MightyMouse since I heard not so good reviews about the wireless ones. Will I end up plugging these devices into my actual Macbook or into the display (do most displays have USBs? ) ?

Most displays do not have built in USB, so you would be plugging them into the MacBook.

4) What happens to the Macbook while its connected to the display? Do I just keep it closed and off to the side? Does it remain open? Do I have to keep it plugged into the charger or does it get charged by being plugged into the display?

You can choose to keep the MacBook open and use either of the displays at a time, or keep the MacBook closed. I personally keep my MacBook Pro closed when it's connected to my 22" display. No, the MacBook does not charge from the display, you still have to keep the power adapter plugged into it.

5) Currently I have about 20 different wallpapers on my Macbook that rotate everyday. They are sized 1200x800 I believe. Will I have to re-download all of these in a different size so they will appear on the new 19" display? Or will they simply readjust themselves to the new screen?

They can scale to the new resolution, and IMO it doesn't look that bad when it scales my MacBook Pro backgrounds from 1440 x 900 to 1650 x 1050.

If you are not dead set on getting the Samsung display. I really like the ViewSonic displays right now, and you can get this 20" Viewsonic for $180 right now. I bought the 22" for $200 when it was available and it's a fantastic display, I highly recommend them.

 

[jason2811]

Thanks alot.

Also,

- Is it possible to get a display that has a built in USB ports?

- Do most of these displays have built in speakers? Or will I have to bring my own speakers separately?

 

[iBookG4user]

- Is it possible to get a display that has a built in USB ports?

Yes, it is possible. The Apple Cinema Displays have USB ports built-in.

- Do most of these displays have built in speakers? Or will I have to bring my own speakers separately?

A lot of displays now have built-in speakers, but IMO they sound terrible. I would suggest getting a powered set of speakers.

 

[jason2811]

The Apple displays are too expensive for me. Are there any other brands with built in speakers and USB-ports that you guys recommend? Thanks.

 

[munckee]

The Apple displays are too expensive for me. Are there any other brands with built in speakers and USB-ports that you guys recommend? Thanks.

Some of the Dell displays have built-in USB ports. I think its only the higher end line though (and hence, higher priced). The 20" in this range goes for about $325 if you wait to catch it on sale and is a very good quality monitor.

The other thing to keep in mind is that even a monitor with USB hubs has to be plugged into the computer's USB port. Apple is best about this; their monitor cable splits into 3 ends near the computers (one for the video, one for USB, and one firewire). So if you were to plug your mouse into your keyboard, the act of connecting to the monitor and mouse/keyboard will be the same number of connections as it would be with a monitor that had USB ports built in. The only difference is you'd have a couple of USB ports left for future items.

A USB hub could offer the same functionality as well.

 

[jeremy.king]

Keep it simple. Mouse plugs into keyboard, keyboard plugs into Macbook.

 

[richard4339]

The Apple displays are too expensive for me. Are there any other brands with built in speakers and USB-ports that you guys recommend? Thanks.

The Dell's have built-in USB ports in some models, you can get speaker attachments, and they tend to be competitively priced and work well. I've had two Dell flatscreens that I've loved.