Macbooks with 22" LCD

beatpoet · Post by **beatpoet** » Thu May 15, 2008 9:49 am

Just got Logic 8 and realised my macbooks screen is just too small, was manageable with live.

So looking at getting a 22" widescreen, which will sit nicely in between my monitors.

resolution is 1680x1050, can my macbook handle that ? have the VGA breakout for the macbook so should be good to go. as long as the macbook can handle the resolution.

Looking at this which seems decent for the price

http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=338806

Don't do any gaming, so it'll be just for Live, Logic and Reason the odd dvd.

Heiko · Post by **Heiko** » Thu May 15, 2008 9:53 am

Hi Beatpoet,

same here, looking for that nice big vision.
What's the difference between VGA and DVI connections? Saw a nice LG monitor, slightly cheaper than yours, but no dvi connector......Would vga be sufficient?

Thanx,

Heiko

Heiko · Post by **Heiko** » Thu May 15, 2008 10:02 am

buy a mini-DVI to DVI or mini-DVI to VGA cable.....at the apple store, 20 euro
But wait fopr the answer to my question, I have the VGA for bigger projectors, but not sure what to use best for an external monitor.
Grtz,

Heiko

beatpoet · Post by **beatpoet** » Thu May 15, 2008 10:05 am

Rave wrote:Guys sorry to jump on your thread but what would i need to connect a macbook to a monitor?

You can get a little VGA or DVI adapter from apple, plug it in to the side of your Macbook and off you go. I use it for visuals at live shows to plug in a projector

beatpoet · Post by **beatpoet** » Thu May 15, 2008 10:10 am

Heiko wrote:Hi Beatpoet,

same here, looking for that nice big vision.
What's the difference between VGA and DVI connections? Saw a nice LG monitor, slightly cheaper than yours, but no dvi connector......Would vga be sufficient?

Thanx,

Heiko

There's supposed to be some difference but not sure what, I've tried both DVI and VGA connectors on a 19" inch here at work and honestly couldn't see a difference.

Maybe it makes a difference at higher resolutions. Can the macbook handle these resolutions though ? I thinking it can but would like to know for sure ?

Which LG are you going for ?

beatpoet · Post by **beatpoet** » Thu May 15, 2008 10:13 am

Rave wrote:Thanx for the info.

I guess you don't need to run it at that resolution on the screen though if the macbook doesnt support it.

I wondering what the macbook does support though, it only shows, what the internal monitor supports in preferences. I'm sure it goes higher though.

Heiko · Post by **Heiko** » Thu May 15, 2008 10:50 am

this is the lg I'm looking at:

http://www.pixmania.nl/nl/nl/630852/art ... ePromo=oui

read a nice review about it

husker · Post by **husker** » Thu May 15, 2008 11:06 am

DVI is a digital connection, VGA is analog - always use DVI if you can (it's a good feature of the macbooks). 1680 x 1050 resolution is no problem.

Silence · Post by **Silence** » Thu May 15, 2008 12:30 pm

the MB maxes out at 1920x1200 so theres no problem for you guys

and DVI is the better one...digital, depending on the monitor a diffrence can be seen... and of course it depends on how good you know your monitors. Just like sounds u can grow to become more sensetive....

jonny72 · Post by **jonny72** » Thu May 15, 2008 1:11 pm

I bought the cheapest 19" TFT I could find and connect it to my MacBook via DVI.

I'm sure there are far better displays but if you're only using it for music then I don't see any point in paying extra. If you're going to be playing games or watching movies it might be worth it but its just a waste of money otherwise.

I'll be getting a 24" TFT soon (once the prices come down a bit more) and will then probably take the 19" one out on the road.

beatpoet · Post by **beatpoet** » Thu May 15, 2008 1:19 pm

Picked up the Samsung just there. Already have the the Apple Mini DVI-VGA adapter so will prob just use that and see how it looks.

22" of Live and logic real estate, can't wait

Geebag · Post by **Geebag** » Thu May 15, 2008 3:09 pm

Huge dif between DVI and VGA buy the way. DVI is digital. If your monitor or TV can handle it then opt for that every time. I have both. got vga 1st and then went and got dvi

beatpoet · Post by **beatpoet** » Thu May 15, 2008 3:48 pm

Geebag wrote:Huge dif between DVI and VGA buy the way. DVI is digital. If your monitor or TV can handle it then opt for that every time. I have both. got vga 1st and then went and got dvi

I understand there is a difference, i.e. one is digital and one is analogue, is there a huge difference in quality of picture though, have both inputs on the monitor, might pick up the mini-DVI to DVI adapter for the MB if so but for audio programs I'm thinking I don't really need it ?

hacktheplanet · Post by **hacktheplanet** » Thu May 15, 2008 4:26 pm

- If you are unsure about the right adapter, go ask someone at the Apple store. They will know for sure.
- Always run an LCD at its native resolution. Anything else either won't work or looks like complete dogshit.
- If you use the analog connection on your LCD, the signal has to be converted from analog to digital resulting in a little extra lag between computer and monitor. However, with regular computing or audio apps you will not notice it.
- There is no discernable difference in image quality between analog and digital unless you are using a CRT monitor or have a really huge LCD monitor with very high resolution.
- Just use the damn DVI. Analog monitor connections are going extinct.

My monitor is a 22" 1440x9000. It has both digital and analog connectors on the back. I use the analog for my old crappy desktop and the digital for my Macbook. I don't really see much of a difference between the two. But of course I'm not running games or hardcore graphic apps.

three · Post by **three** » Fri May 16, 2008 9:58 pm

I use a Macbook Pro with no problem with a 23" Cinema HD display.

I know the Macbook can run displays this size. If you have performance problems turn the color depth down. (This is something I do for performance anyway - reduces the Window Server load.)

Cheers,

Chris