I may be migrating to a MBP sometime in the future. I currently use a Vista desktop with two 22" LCD monitors. Is there any solution out there that will let me use both of these external monitors with a new MBP? Ideal config would have the MBP in the middle with a 22" LCD on each side of the laptop. I would like the dock/title bar on the laptop and be able to move windows over to each of the monitors.
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possible to use 2 external monitors with a MBP?
- Thread starter btownguy
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The closest thing would be to span across those monitors using a DualHead. Otherwise you're limited to one independent external display.
That looks pretty close. It won't let me put the laptop in the middle, but it's probably close enough. From the FAQ:
Can I place my laptop in between the two monitors driven by DualHead2Go?
While it may be physically possible to place your laptop monitor between the two external monitors, it is not recommended to do so, as your virtual desktop won't have the same configuration as your physical one. The monitors connected to DualHead2Go are viewed by your laptop as a single extra-wide display. Your mouse will move according to your virtual desktop, i.e. from one external monitor directly to the other, even if your laptop screen is between them.
You've got a couple of options:
Maxtor DualHead2Go plugs into your existing display port and splits the signal across two monitors.
http://www.markertek.com/Cables-Con...Adapters/VGA-Adapters/Matrox/D2G-A2D-IF.xhtml
Price: $229.99
Kensington Dual Monitor Adapter plugs into a USB port and gives you another monitor output.
http://us.kensington.com/html/14499.html
Price: $199.99
These solutions aren't cheap, but if you want dual externals, that's what you're looking at.
Maxtor DualHead2Go plugs into your existing display port and splits the signal across two monitors.
http://www.markertek.com/Cables-Con...Adapters/VGA-Adapters/Matrox/D2G-A2D-IF.xhtml
Price: $229.99
Kensington Dual Monitor Adapter plugs into a USB port and gives you another monitor output.
http://us.kensington.com/html/14499.html
Price: $199.99
These solutions aren't cheap, but if you want dual externals, that's what you're looking at.
What's the mac behavior when running these multiple-monitor solutions? I know on my Vista machine, my 2nd screen has no taskbar or anything. I can drag an application over to that screen. If I maximize the application, it just maximizes to that screen, not both screens. Ideally, this is the behavior I would like.
I believe that's the behavior that you will get with the Kensington. With the Maxtor since it's acting as one giant screen it will be slightly different. However, remember that OSX maximize doesn't behave the same way as windows maximize. So, in either case you can keep the dock on the MBP screen and then size the windows however you want and just drag them around.