Running 2 MBP's in parallel ?

[Sampadan]

Hi all,

This might be a dumb question but I'm wondering if it's possible to run two identical spec MBP 17's (Latest Model) together, to take advantage of both computer's power. As I've got a spare one sitting brand new in a box and I want to put it to good use!

Is there a way I can link them and use the screens as a dual screen system, using the power from both?

Thoughts please!

 

[robbieduncan]

In general no.

In some very specific applications that use XGrid then you can distribute some tasks from one to the other but you still don't get both screens.

 

[King Mook Mook]

I don't think I have ever heard of a way that would be possible. Probably because you would need a very high speed connection, higher then USB/ExpressCard and if you didn't it would be a big bottleneck. But if someone could prove me wrong, I would certainly be interested.

King Mook Mook

 

[dragonmantek]

I remember reading an article a while back involving mac mini's. They hooked up something like 500 mac mini's together and formed a giant computer. I think it would be easier to do with a mac mini though, macbook's in general are very tight and i don't think there's any free ports from the motherboard.

Sorry I don't have the link to the article, it was almost 2 years ago.

 

[sml12]

Try a linux cluster .... the live CDs might be a good option for testing purposes ...

http://www.caoslinux.org/

http://pareto.uab.es/mcreel/PelicanHPC/

http://www.rocksclusters.org/wordpress/

 

[iThinkergoiMac]

Using XGrid and a gigabit ethernet connection you could share tasks pretty well. You're sunk with the screen thing, though. Just get and external monitor if you need more screen space.

 

[Jaro65]

I remember reading an article a while back involving mac mini's. They hooked up something like 500 mac mini's together and formed a giant computer. I think it would be easier to do with a mac mini though, macbook's in general are very tight and i don't think there's any free ports from the motherboard.

Sorry I don't have the link to the article, it was almost 2 years ago.

I remember reading about that also just a few months ago. It was some kind of data processing center, from what I recall. They were very impressed with how efficient Mac Minis were. I can't recall the source though.

 

[m85476585]

http://www.screenrecycler.com/home.html

Never tried it.