Macbook + Monitor

LiE · 4 Aug 2009 at 18:47

Does anyone have a macbook/pro hooked up to a large monitor when using at home? How do you find it? I'm wondering if this is a good option as opposed to getting an iMac.

metachi · 4 Aug 2009 at 19:44

My µMacbook pro 13" is connected from the mini port to Dell 2408wfp's HDMI port.
I use Leopard for graphic project and windows for download, play and watch video.

The screen lid is always open so you can press the power button. (wish the power button was on the side). The picture is perfect and feel just like a normal computer.
If you are using Leopard the macbook display will stay on as a secondary display as you can't turn the macbook's screen off.
But if you were using Bootcamp windows, you can turn the macbook's display off via nvidia driver and use external monitor only.

Blackhawk47 · 4 Aug 2009 at 21:42

I have been doing exactly same myself. And I think it works pretty well. Just to note that when a mouse and keyboard are plugged in you don't have to have the Macbook lid open, just close it, then when the Macbook goes to sleep move the mouse to wake it up.

Here is what I have at the moment so you can get the idea but the photos came out a bit bad.

metachi · 4 Aug 2009 at 22:33

Blackhawk47 said:
I have been doing exactly same myself. And I think it works pretty well. Just to note that when a mouse and keyboard are plugged in you don't have to have the Macbook lid open, just close it, then when the Macbook goes to sleep move the mouse to wake it up.

yea but i prefer to shutdown my computer after usage. Its get little annoying keep open lid then close.

Spyhop · 5 Aug 2009 at 00:43

I'd take that route over an iMac every time. Apart from a little more money, there are virtually no downsides, and the very obvious upsides.

Mr_White · 5 Aug 2009 at 00:50

Blackhawk47 said:
snip

What are the temps like with the cooling blocked?

SIAT · 5 Aug 2009 at 09:17

I use my macbook with a 20in cinema display. It's great. You get the best of both worlds with that kind of setup.

I keep the lid closed apart from when the fan speeds up as it's quicker to cool with the lid open. There's no danger of it overheating with the lid closed as the macbook is designed to work with it closed.

Mr_White · 5 Aug 2009 at 17:47

SIAT said:
I use my macbook with a 20in cinema display. It's great. You get the best of both worlds with that kind of setup.

I keep the lid closed apart from when the fan speeds up as it's quicker to cool with the lid open. There's no danger of it overheating with the lid closed as the macbook is designed to work with it closed.

Did they change the design slightly on the unibody?

On the original MacBook the outlet vent is curved in such a way that allows the hinge to fit in there when the screen is closed, pretty much completely blocking the outlet, which is designed to channel air out of the top of the MacBook when opened, it looked to me as if the unibody uses the same design, hence asking what the temps are like.

Blackhawk47 · 5 Aug 2009 at 18:48

Never had any problems with temps but I don't do anything too taxing on it and don't use it as often as I should as I still use my PC.

But yeah, haven't had any problems. I have it connected in my room most of time and use it for watching DVDs and it works fine.

SIAT · 6 Aug 2009 at 12:05

Mr_White said:
Did they change the design slightly on the unibody?

On the original MacBook the outlet vent is curved in such a way that allows the hinge to fit in there when the screen is closed, pretty much completely blocking the outlet, which is designed to channel air out of the top of the MacBook when opened, it looked to me as if the unibody uses the same design, hence asking what the temps are like.

There is a gap at the back for the heat to vent out. All the macbooks and macbook pro's are designed for clamshell mode.

One version of the ibook had an issue with clamshell mode I believe.

Not monitored the temps as I've not app for recording them.

Caged · 6 Aug 2009 at 12:34

iBooks vented through the keyboard so didn't support operating with the lid shut. No Intel models have this issue.

LordSplodge · 6 Aug 2009 at 12:56

Mr_White said:
Did they change the design slightly on the unibody?

No it vents out the back like all Intel MacBooks. See below.

SIAT said:
There is a gap at the back for the heat to vent out. All the macbooks and macbook pro's are designed for clamshell mode.

Caged said:
iBooks vented through the keyboard so didn't support operating with the lid shut.

I remember that as my brother had an iBook.

Mr_White · 8 Aug 2009 at 17:58

LordSplodge said:
No it vents out the back like all Intel MacBooks. See below.

Through a gap all of just 2mm high, not exactly a configuration I'd want to run under intense loads, the hinge fits into the curved space of the rest of the vent and blocks it all off, hence asking what the temps are like.

Original MacBooks got hot enough to start throttling under normal open conditions (90c+), especially with the thermal paste apple used, let alone with the cooling blocked off, hence the question, they're not properly designed to run full whack in clam shell mode, 90% of the vent wouldn't be blocked off if they were, and when so many have/had heat issues when open, running it intensely in clam shell mode isn't something I'd be keen on, hence asking what the temps were like.

LordSplodge · 8 Aug 2009 at 18:07

Mr_White said:
... running it intensely in clam shell mode isn't something I'd be keen on, hence asking what the temps were like.

My 2007 MacBook hits 72 Degrees under load case open and just a fraction hotter in clamshell mode. Fans do sound louder in clamshell mode but it does not overheat.