Worth Connecting Macbook Air to External Monitor?

[Finox831]

Hey all, I have a Macbook Air 1.7 GHz Intel Core i7, 8GB of RAM, and Intel HD Graphics 5000 1024 MB.

I do a lot of photography and have big programs running like photoshop, Lightroom, etc.

I'm tired of working on an 11" screen, was thinking of upgrading either to an iMac 27" or going with an external monitor and connecting my Macbook Air to that, would just have to buy a wireless keyboard (does anyone do this?).

Can I get some recommendations? would be nice to hear from others who have their Macbook air's connected to an external monitor too. thanks!

 

[jezzy]

Hey all, I have a Macbook Air 1.7 GHz Intel Core i7, 8GB of RAM, and Intel HD Graphics 5000 1024 MB.

I do a lot of photography and have big programs running like photoshop, Lightroom, etc.

I'm tired of working on an 11" screen, was thinking of upgrading either to an iMac 27" or going with an external monitor and connecting my Macbook Air to that, would just have to buy a wireless keyboard (does anyone do this?).

Can I get some recommendations? would be nice to hear from others who have their Macbook air's connected to an external monitor too. thanks!

Its great! `i've got my 2012 11" hooked up via DP to a 29" LG Ultrawide and works perfectly, either desktop replication or extended desktop, no issues. I do also recommend the apple bluetooth kb and touch pad too.

I also had a 2010 27" iMac before, beautiful piece of work ! All depends on your needs

 

[Pharmscott]

I ran a 24" monitor from my MBA (before I sold it for a rMBP). It works fine. Depending on the type of work you do, you might benefit from the higher processing power of the iMac though. An external monitor is certainly a cheaper option though.

 

[GreenWater]

Hey all, I have a Macbook Air 1.7 GHz Intel Core i7, 8GB of RAM, and Intel HD Graphics 5000 1024 MB.

I do a lot of photography and have big programs running like photoshop, Lightroom, etc.

I'm tired of working on an 11" screen, was thinking of upgrading either to an iMac 27" or going with an external monitor and connecting my Macbook Air to that, would just have to buy a wireless keyboard (does anyone do this?).

Can I get some recommendations? would be nice to hear from others who have their Macbook air's connected to an external monitor too. thanks!

I have connected mine to an LG 27EA83-D display before and it works very nicely at 2560*1440 resolution.

I have connected a wireless Logitech keyboard I bought for my Mac Pro to my MacBook Air. It has a little USB adapter. You can buy silver which might match your MacBook Air better than the black one I bought for a new Mac Pro.

http://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/wireless-solar-keyboard-k750-mac

The Apple wireless keyboard works by Bluetooth so you don't need a dongle.

 

[tomllama]

I use an Apple thunderbolt 27" monitor and a LandingZone 2.0 Pro dock. I hate the little screen on the 13" MBA but connecting to the monitor is a joy. I also use a real keyboard connected to the dock and not the MBA keyboard.

 

[Dweez]

I believe it's absolutely worth it. Mine is connected to a 23" most of the time when I'm at home, as well as a bluetooth keyboard & mouse.

 

[Boyd01]

My 2013 11" i7/8gb/512gb MBA is my primary computer. It spends much of its time connected to the ancient Apple 23" Cinema Display that I originally got with my Power Mac G5. I used a wired keyboard and mouse. The Display is plugged into a Seagate Thunderbolt dock that gives me high speed disks for video, backup, etc.

Really happy with this setup - best of both worlds, small and light for travel, just like a desktop machine at home.