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MacBook Pro+monitor: a good idea?

S

sleeplesser

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Dec 14, 2010
2
0
I need to buy a new computer for office use, and at the same time I would like to take it home to get some work done. Do you think it is a good idea to have a MacBook Pro + an external monitor? This means I need to plug in and out every day. Can MBP endure it for say 2-3 years?
Thanks a lot!
 
sleeplesser said:
I need to buy a new computer for office use, and at the same time I would like to take it home to get some work done. Do you think it is a good idea to have a MacBook Pro + an external monitor? This means I need to plug in and out every day. Can MBP endure it for say 2-3 years?
Thanks a lot!
Click to expand...

With older children, I'm considering getting rid of the desktop and switching completely over to laptops only. However, there are times when my family and I need more real estate screen size.

Apple makes a Cinema Display (21.5" & 27") that is tailored for the MBP. You can plug USB devices into the display (such as a printer, etc.,) and not have to worry about disconnecting them when you dock/undock your MBP at work.

If you're considering this route, I recommend using your MBP with the Cinema display at work. This will allow you to bring the MBP home to continue your work.

Plugging in and out is very simple and the MBP will not endure any additional wear or tear because of it. Look up the Cinema Display on Apple's website to get some more info...Caution, it is expensive!

Cosmo
 
sleeplesser said:
This means I need to plug in and out every day.
Click to expand...

:eek:

just kidding. Powerbook guys have been doing that for several years now. Both system administrators and academics (my coworkers) also use this configuration. Apple even designed a monitor just for the occasion:
features_biggerpicture_display_20101020.jpg
 
I do this every day (plug/unplug).

I picked up one of the 23" 1080p monitors that Newegg had for sale not too long ago for only $140. Not the best quality, but is sure is nice for research projects and anything that requires a lot of screen real-estate.
 
sleeplesser said:
I need to buy a new computer for office use, and at the same time I would like to take it home to get some work done. Do you think it is a good idea to have a MacBook Pro + an external monitor? This means I need to plug in and out every day. Can MBP endure it for say 2-3 years?
Thanks a lot!
Click to expand...

I also do this everyday and have for over a year. I put my MBP on a stand and leave it open for dual monitors, then use a wireless keyboard and mouse. Works great.
 
Saturdays said:
Just Don't close the shell when doing heavy operations.
You don't want to trap all the heat.
Click to expand...

LOL, what? I don't think you are familiar with the Powerbook / Macbook Pro design. It does not vent ANY heat through the keyboard. All heat is vented through the grille at the back, near the hinge. The Powerbook and Macbook Pro are designed specifically to operate with the shell closed.

It is the standard Macbook (and iBook) that ventilate through the keyboard, and will overheat if you run them at high utilization with the lid closed.
 
sleeplesser said:
I need to buy a new computer for office use, and at the same time I would like to take it home to get some work done. Do you think it is a good idea to have a MacBook Pro + an external monitor? This means I need to plug in and out every day. Can MBP endure it for say 2-3 years?
Thanks a lot!
Click to expand...

Easily. I've done this for almost 4 years and it works brilliantly. If you need some portability/work in two places, it's the way to do it :)
 
a bit different configuration

I am also in the same boat and considering having an external monitor. I have been using 9 spaces now to accommodate files and many time I end up having at least 6 large excel files open so it gets very cumbersome on the 13" mbp.

However I would not want to use an external keyboard, trackpad and/or mouse. So ideally what I want is a dual display that will allow me to use my mbp monitor and an external monitor at the same time. They'll not mirror each other necessarily. That way I don't need external keyboard and mouse.

I am sure many have this set up and I would like some feedback from these folks. What are the pitfalls of having such a set up?

OP: Sorry I didn't mean to hijack your thread, but I think people weighing on my questions will likely help your situation too. Thanks.
 
been doing this for a year on a old macbook, and since...i dunno when I got this laptop haha. It should be fine :D
 
Another vouch for your proposed configuration. I work as a pilot and therefore bring my laptop with me everytime i go on layover flights. When i'm home i plug it to my 27 inch ACD and when its time to work, i unplug it and bring my MBP with me. It works great and i couldn't be happier
 
It's the only way to go.

I work in an office of about 60 people that all have an external monitor and a laptop that they take to & from work. I've been doing it for so long, it seems like the norm now. Desktops are a thing of the past for me.

I'd also suggest the Dell Ultra Sharp 24" As your external monitor. I use one at home and the office. Works great with the MBP & has a 4 extra usb ports, hdmi, & card reader.
 
I use a 24"monitor with my 15" MacBook pro all the time, sometimes I just like sitting at my home office doing work, and it's a pleasure having a nice big monitor in from of my face,,,,, then again, my wife has a 13" and she likes being able to do photo books on the monitor as it's easier to manage pics etc on it.....so the monitor with a laptop for me is better than an iMac....its all in what you do though....I am able to open word on one half and browse reference material on the other half easily and that makes all the difference in the world....I imagine on a 27" it's that much better....
 
One thing that most of you haven't mentioned is if you use use mbp screen together with external monitor. In other words, no external keyboard or mouse, plus two screens at once.
 
crypticlineage said:
However I would not want to use an external keyboard, trackpad and/or mouse. So ideally what I want is a dual display that will allow me to use my mbp monitor and an external monitor at the same time. They'll not mirror each other necessarily. That way I don't need external keyboard and mouse.

OP: Sorry I didn't mean to hijack your thread, but I think people weighing on my questions will likely help your situation too. Thanks.
Click to expand...


Thank you all for your comments and replies. They are very helpful!

crypticlineage, it is perfectly fine. I would love to hear people's comments on this too.
 
crypticlineage said:
One thing that most of you haven't mentioned is if you use use mbp screen together with external monitor. In other words, no external keyboard or mouse, plus two screens at once.
Click to expand...

This is the only way that I use my external monitor. It's nice having to workspaces.
 
Chase: Do you mirror your displays or have separate content on each? If not mirrored, do you get the dock on both screens?
 
+1 for a good idea.

while i do understand that having low pixel density makes reading text a pain, if you have a lot of it (like coding) having it that little bit bigger does wonders for eye stress. i find it much easier to read with the text SLIGHTLY bigger than standard

im using a 24" 1080p samsung panel with my 15" mbp (spanning). : ) not regretted buying it since.
 
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