I want an external monitor for my 13" Macbook Air. Any recommendations?

[Jacoblee23]

I want one so I can do school work more easily while I am at home at my desk. I don't need the best int eh world, but something good and affordable. Also shouldn't I be able to use my Macbook hooked up to the monitor with the macbook shut instead of open? Thanks in advance everyone.

 

[zlogs]

I want one so I can do school work more easily while I am at home at my desk. I don't need the best int eh world, but something good and affordable. Also shouldn't I be able to use my Macbook hooked up to the monitor with the macbook shut instead of open? Thanks in advance everyone.

You could get any 1080p monitor with a DVI or HDMI (you can find some good ones in Amazon for about $110. You will also need a thunderbolt to HDMI or DVI adapter in order to use it.

 

[Jacoblee23]

You could get any 1080p monitor with a DVI or HDMI (you can find some good ones in Amazon for about $110. You will also need a thunderbolt to HDMI or DVI adapter in order to use it.

I have a limited workspace so a small one will suffice just fine. So, I need a thunderbolt to hdmi adaptor? I found this monitor right here and it has good reviews, but doesn't have speakers.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/acer-19...83303223&skuId=8968426#tabbed-customerreviews

 

[motrek]

I have a limited workspace so a small one will suffice just fine. So, I need a thunderbolt to hdmi adaptor? I found this monitor right here and it has good reviews, but doesn't have speakers.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/acer-19...83303223&skuId=8968426#tabbed-customerreviews

That will hardly give you any more real estate than you have on your laptop monitor. I would say you want 1080p at least. Example:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824112026

And yes, you can use your laptop with the lid closed. This is called lid closed or clamshell mode. If you have the laptop plugged into the charger and a monitor, it can function basically as a desktop computer.

I would recommend getting a USB hub with a lot of ports, then you can "dock" your laptop by plugging it into power, the monitor, and the hub. You can plug all sorts of stuff into the USB ports like a keyboard, mouse, speakers, webcam, etc. and basically have a full-featured desktop computer.

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Here's the search for 1080p, HDMI, speakers, lowest price:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...96&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&Order=PRICE&PageSize=30