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How can I use my MBP as "desktop"?

B

Brock Landers

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Mar 1, 2011
13
0
Hi,

I recently picked up a new 13" MBP which I'm enjoying very much. I'd like to use the computer at times in my office where a bigger screen would be nice. I have the following questions and would appreciate any input:

1) How do I hook up an external display? (would prefer to keep MBP closed)
2) Can I use a seperate keyboard and mouse? (wireless is ideal)
3) Suggestions on which display to purchase?

Thanks
 
miles01110 said:
1) With a MiniDisplay Port-to-whatever-port-your-external-monitor-has cable (probably MDP to DVI).
2) Yes.
3) What's your budget? What size do you want? "Recommend a monitor" isn't very conducive for good avice.
Click to expand...

Somewhere around 23" widescreen would be fine. My budget is ~ $500.
 
This is what I am going to be doing- I am waiting for the adaptor and keyboard to get here. Got an inexpensive 23" monitor waiting to be hooked up :D.

Hubby said the other day that he would like a big monitor (he's recently become a computer hacker LOL), so I thought maybe I could talk him into a refurb cinema display from Apple for me (I didn't really want to spend that much $$ on a display at the time), then he can take this monitor....Hmmm
 
Does the Apple Cinema Display offer anything that a traditional display would not? It looks great (although perhaps a little too big for my needs) but I just can't justify the price.
 
Brock Landers said:
Does the Apple Cinema Display offer anything that a traditional display would not? It looks great (although perhaps a little too big for my needs) but I just can't justify the price.
Click to expand...

don't go for the new one (it's 27)

used...and 24...it would be suitable for you
 
ThaDoggg said:
Dell U2311H as the U2410 gets too expensive. Not worth the price increase for 1 inch.
Click to expand...

I couldn't care less about one inch. That's not the point. The difference is that one is a stupid Full HD monitor with limited connectivity and the other one is a serious and multimedia display.

Vertical pixels is one of the top priorities in selecting a computer monitor.
 
Brock Landers said:
Does the Apple Cinema Display offer anything that a traditional display would not? It looks great (although perhaps a little too big for my needs) but I just can't justify the price.
Click to expand...

Apple monitors are the worst: only one input and no buttons.
 
If you want an IPS display, the Dells I hear are superb. If you just want a good LCD 1080P, I can attest that the Asus monitors are great and cheap. I picked up a 23 or 24" 1080P in October from Newegg for $180 shipped!
 
Brock Landers said:
Hi,

I recently picked up a new 13" MBP which I'm enjoying very much. I'd like to use the computer at times in my office where a bigger screen would be nice. I have the following questions and would appreciate any input:

1) How do I hook up an external display? (would prefer to keep MBP closed)
2) Can I use a seperate keyboard and mouse? (wireless is ideal)
3) Suggestions on which display to purchase?

Thanks
Click to expand...

1. mini display port (you will need an adaptor to HDMI or DVi for anything other than apple)
2. yes
3. apple cinema display, failing that samsung 21.5" full hd monitors are sweeet!
 
Brock Landers said:
Hi,

I recently picked up a new 13" MBP which I'm enjoying very much. I'd like to use the computer at times in my office where a bigger screen would be nice. I have the following questions and would appreciate any input:

1) How do I hook up an external display? (would prefer to keep MBP closed)
2) Can I use a seperate keyboard and mouse? (wireless is ideal)
3) Suggestions on which display to purchase?

Thanks
Click to expand...

Yes
Apple Wireless Keyboard, Logitec 'Anywhere' Mouse
ACD 27" ACD

= PERFECT set up.

Will cost you little over $1,000 total.
 
HBOC said:
If you want an IPS display, the Dells I hear are superb. If you just want a good LCD 1080P, I can attest that the Asus monitors are great and cheap. I picked up a 23 or 24" 1080P in October from Newegg for $180 shipped!
Click to expand...

That's what I just got, but I paid $125.00! :D
 
Brock Landers said:
Does the Apple Cinema Display offer anything that a traditional display would not? It looks great (although perhaps a little too big for my needs) but I just can't justify the price.
Click to expand...

Yes. It comes it's own cables to power up your MBP (Display port and AC adapter) so you can put your AC adapter that came with your MBP in your bag and use it for travel. Also has iSight camera so if you need a webcam it's already there.

1980x1200 resolution is better than 1980x1080. That's about it lol, oh and some speakers in the display but they're not that great. If you can save up another $500 to add to your $500 budget, just pick up the 27" for some really cool resolution fun.
 
I recently made the switch to a single computer setup (I was using a 27" i5 iMac and 11.6" MBA) using the MBP in the sig. I am very happy with the switch as I can grab the laptop and head out to where I am going without worry about syncing files between systems or uploading everything to iDisk/Dropbox. Here is a quick shot of my new setup after everything was said and done.

If you have any questions let me know.

Edit: sorry in advance for the crappy iPhone picture
 

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MUBiomed said:
I recently made the switch to a single computer setup (I was using a 27" i5 iMac and 11.6" MBA) using the MBP in the sig. I am very happy with the switch as I can grab the laptop and head out to where I am going without worry about syncing files between systems or uploading everything to iDisk/Dropbox. Here is a quick shot of my new setup after everything was said and done.

If you have any questions let me know.

Edit: sorry in advance for the crappy iPhone picture
Click to expand...

Good setup except for the mouse. Is a Logitehc MX Revolution and it's wonderful for number of buttons and ergonomics but the precision is really really bad. I had not noticed before I bought the Magic Mouse! Magic Mouse in really really better in precision, now, when I try the logitech its an horrible experience!
 
entatlrg said:
Yes
Apple Wireless Keyboard, Logitec 'Anywhere' Mouse
ACD 27" ACD

= PERFECT set up.

Will cost you little over $1,000 total.
Click to expand...

Plus a TwelveSouth BookArc to hold your Macbook :)

Pretty much my soon-to-be setup, just changing the logitech mouse for a magic mouse.

Another thing to consider is a BackPack caddy for the back of the screen, really handy for storing an external HDD for media etc, and it keeps it out of the way, keeping the clean minimalistic mac look :)
 
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