Is using an external monitor really all that?

[Dekimasu]

Hmm, maybe I can try this one: http://www.asus.com/Monitors/VX24AH/

 

[PDFierro]

I am really looking forward to using an external monitor with this computer when I'm at home and having the portability when I'm on the road. I haven't bought the external monitor yet, though.

It would be great to have something with a res like the non-retina iMac (2560x1440), and I know Apple says this should work, but I'm a little worried about cooking the computer.

Is it at all possible that things could look like a 2012ish iMac when hooking up a non-Apple external monitor? If I want it to look iMac-ish, do I need to be worrying about certain acronyms like TN/IPS/VA?

Apple doesn't have any magic going on here. But you want an IPS display. One thing though, the speakers on the Thunderbolt Display are incredible...pretty much the speakers on all other monitors have a very tiny sound.

 

[gugy]

I've never done this. Somehow, I've always managed to live my computing life on a laptop screen. I'm not a fan of desktops. And I always thought about buying an external monitor but never did. When I had the Air, I thought about getting a Thunderbolt Display but for whatever reason I never did. And with the rMBP, my concern was that I'd hate using a regular resolution on a monitor after using a Retina screen on my laptop.

I guess now I have more excuses with the rMB only having one port. I guess I could buy the $79 Apple adapter and hook it up a HDMI display. I'm also wondering how well the rMB (even at 1.3GHz) will run an external display.

So is it really that awesome? I'd love to see an Apple display that supports USB-C. It seems that most third-party monitors lack good built-in speakers.

Man, I don't know, I just can't live without working on dual monitors. I am a graphic designer and have a 30" and 23" side by side. I would not mind buying another 30" and have 3 monitors.
My dream is when Apple releases stand alone 5K displays. I will buy at least two to hook up to my MacPro.
For laptops they are great on the road but when you get back to your home or office I would hook up to an external monitor. It will make you so more productive IMO. But again it depends a lot on what kind of work you do.
Still it always nice to see everything on a large screen like the current 27" TB displays. I think you will love it and it will be a nice break from the small screen of a laptop.

 

[solideliquid]

As someone had mentioned that you can use Airplay to send your display to an apple tv as a replacement for a second display connected with HDMI/Displayport some posts ago, I attempted it. I have a late 2013 MBPR that I'm considering selling for a RMB. However I'll definitely need the HDMI combo dongle apple is selling because I regularly plug a 27" 1440p display to my MBP. I do have an apple tv and when I attempted to extend the screen tonight, it was a horrible experience. It's very laggy, it's difficult to predict app and window behavior, such as opening Pages for example, in the main retina display will put it instead on the extended display (TV in this case).

This solution isn't going to work, it's just not ready, it's poorly done at this point. If all you are doing is mirroring your display, that isn't going to do anything for you.

 

[PDFierro]

As someone had mentioned that you can use Airplay to send your display to an apple tv as a replacement for a second display connected with HDMI/Displayport some posts ago, I attempted it. I have a late 2013 MBPR that I'm considering selling for a RMB. However I'll definitely need the HDMI combo dongle apple is selling because I regularly plug a 27" 1440p display to my MBP. I do have an apple tv and when I attempted to extend the screen tonight, it was a horrible experience. It's very laggy, it's difficult to predict app and window behavior, such as opening Pages for example, in the main retina display will put it instead on the extended display (TV in this case).

This solution isn't going to work, it's just not ready, it's poorly done at this point. If all you are doing is mirroring your display, that isn't going to do anything for you.

Ah, thanks for sharing that. Apple TV could be a good solution to watching movies on a big screen, but I guess it'd fail at everything else.

 

[ctyrider]

Interesting. All I want to do is run 2560x1080.

Think you mean 2560x1440.

Hopefully someone with with a rMB, Multiport A/V Adapter and 1440p monitor can confirm that this works!

I do have an apple tv and when I attempted to extend the screen tonight, it was a horrible experience. It's very laggy, it's difficult to predict app and window behavior, such as opening Pages for example, in the main retina display will put it instead on the extended display (TV in this case).

AirPlay to Apple TV is meant for "one way" display of content - playing videos or doing presentations for an audience. It's clearly not a useable solution for a computer display, as WiFi latency is too high for interactive use.

 

[PDFierro]

Think you mean 2560x1440.

Hopefully someone with with a rMB, Multiport A/V Adapter and 1440p monitor can confirm that this works!

Nah, I mean 2560x1080. I'm interested in a 21:9 ratio monitor. At least now we know it works as per that other thread with the 1200p display.

 

[objektør]

Nah, I mean 2560x1080. I'm interested in a 21:9 ratio monitor. At least now we know it works as per that other thread with the 1200p display.

I'm planning to get a 2560x1080 monitor to my rMB. Does it work? And does one use the hdmi Apple adapter or will airplay/apple tv3 do the jobb as well?
All replies are welcome. (black friday soon...)

 

[Sun Baked]

My 2014 Mini is plugged into a monitor right now using HDMI and running at 2560x1440 @ 60Hz, so not a problem there.

 

[objektør]

Thanks.
Not sure if that means my rMB will do the same. It has a different cpu/gpu compared to the 2014 mac mini.

 

[Nychot]

I just got an Asus 27" external monitor with two HDMI inputs and I can have both my rmb and 11" mba attached when needed. Works beautifully. Great screen. Mainly used for writing. I'm also going to use my Mac Mini with the new monitor and cast off my old 21" HP monitor that was always attached to the Mac Mini. For under $250 a monitor like the Asus is a great deal and option when you want to jump to a bigger screen

 

[lo100469]

i have been working for a while only on the rbm screen. it is not really the screen size that bothered me at the end but the fact that when i sit at my desk i look downwards to much and get neck pain. i travel most of the time, but 1 full day at home was causing me back pain, i now have an old 23 cinema display, BTmouse and keyboard, that is much more confortable....

 

[doitdada]

This is confirmed working. You need the Digital Multiport adapter from Apple and a HDMI to DVI cable that supports dual link.

http://www.amazon.com/BuyCheapCable...1449072936&sr=8-1&keywords=hdmi+dvi+dual+link

This is my setup and I love it. Only 1920x1200, but I use the multiple spaces and a Magic Trackpad, so no sweat. Great to have a single cable that gives me power, USB soundcard, card reader, keyboard, mouse, external HDD and a monitor.

Coming from a Hackintosh 4790k, 32GB RAM and U3011 (2560x1600), I don't really miss the power as a single computer is less hassle than two. I would love to get a 4K display hooked up, but at the moment I don't need it. My HP LP2475w has high coverage AdobeRGB, and that is more important than pixels.