MBP 17" + External Dell displays

[cheeserandyburg]

Out of curiosity,

As most of you know the Macbook Pro (mid/late 2010, 17") has a mini-display port which I've always been curious about.

By getting a Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter one can attach an external monitor to the MBP, and here's what I'm wondering about.

If the Macbook displays a maximum of 1920x1200 and the Dell monitor I currently own displays a maximum of 1280 x 1024, is there a way to run those resolutions separately at the same time?

Or do they both have to be the same when in use together?

I was thinking of running the MBP at full 1920x1200 and the Dell 19" from a couple years back at its 1280 x 1024 resolution.

Problem is, the Dell isn't widescreen... the Macbook Pro is.

Is this even possible to do?

 

[cliuless]

That won't be a problem at all. You can set the resolutions separately when you plug the monitor in.

 

[cheeserandyburg]

That won't be a problem at all. You can set the resolutions separately when you plug the monitor in.

Was hoping to hear that! Great news!

----------

One more question,

Is there really a difference in using either a Passive or Active adapter?

I asked before and was told that a Passive would work fine ? Does this stand correct?

I'd like to be to able to use the external Dell monitor as an "extension" of my Mac desktop and drag things back and fourth between the two.

Does it matter if the adapter is Passive/Active?

Thanks

 

[GermanyChris]

Was hoping to hear that! Great news!

----------

One more question,

Is there really a difference in using either a Passive or Active adapter?

I asked before and was told that a Passive would work fine ? Does this stand correct?

I'd like to be to able to use the external Dell monitor as an "extension" of my Mac desktop and drag things back and fourth between the two.

Does it matter if the adapter is Passive/Active?

Thanks

You don't need an active adaptor for what you're trying to do.

 

[cheeserandyburg]

You don't need an active adaptor for what you're trying to do.

Thanks for clearing that up

Tschüss !

 

[yusukeaoki]

The only thing I hate about having 2 different resolution monitors is that application size changes.
Like when you move your Safari page from Mac to Dell monitor, the window size shrinks.
Some dont care but it really annoys me so just a heads up on this issue.