iBook and Cinema Display Questions

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adamraoadamrao
Posted:
in Current Mac Hardware edited January 2014
Ok... I've been a Mac user for about two years now - have switched many systems trying to find the perfect fit for my ever-changing lifestyle. Went laptop, went desktop and now want to go laptop again with a small shift.



I didn't realize until today (I know... I'm kicking myself) that the iBooks had the ability to mirror the display on an external monitor. I don't know why I didn't realize this, just never did.



I'm wanting to get an iBook (probably the 14" since I would like the SuperDrive built in) and a 20" Cinema Display. That would give me the same screen real-estate I enjoy on my 20" iMac G5 while also giving me the portability of the iBook for when I need to take it on the go. When on the road, use the iBook as is. When at home, hook it up to my 20" Cinema Display in the office. Sounds like a great plan to me - and surprise, I can afford it! (Happy day!)



A few questions for those who have a set up similar to the one I'm describing...



Will I need an extra adapter to hook the iBook up to the Cinema Display? Will this result in a loss of quality on the Cinema Display?



Is the ATI 9550 a "strong" enough card to run the 20" Cinema Display?



What problems, if any, will I encounter using the iBook with an external monitor? Does the lid have to be open for the external display to work or can I close the iBook once things are hooked up?



Thanks for any and all help you can provide!

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 4
    trans9btrans9b Posts: 97member
    I don't think there is any DVI to mini VGA adapter for the iBook. Only the PowerBooks can be directly connected to a Cinema Display, as they have either mini or full sized DVI ports. I could be wrong on the adaptability, but I'm pretty sure Apple has designed this ability out of the iBook.
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  • Reply 2 of 4
    adamraoadamrao Posts: 175member
    And now that I've done more research... I've realized this! :/



    That seems "fishy" to me. Easy way to get people to buy those Powerbooks even though there's very little difference between the two models right now.



    I guess I'll wait and see what Wed. brings and maybe spring for a new 12" PB with the 20". Need both the portability and the screen real-estate. Not much of a choice for me... Life, I guess.
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  • Reply 3 of 4
    maccrazymaccrazy Posts: 2,658member
    The iBook will mirror the screen onto the 20" Cinema Display. Thye maximum resolution will be 1024 x 768 and it may be in the middle of the screen with a massive black border. There would be no point buying a 12" iBook if you want to use another screen, buy a PowerBook if you want to use an external screen.
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  • Reply 4 of 4
    gongon Posts: 2,437member
    Just don't buy an Apple screen. Everybody else has VGA and the iBook will give you VGA out. I'm using my iBook with a 24" Dell display, the iBook's own display doing 1024x768, and the Dell doing 1920x1200. To extend your desktop by spanning or to set the larger resolutions you need the screen spanning hack. To the best of my knowledge, it's perfectly safe with any iBook or iMac that has Radeon graphics. The only ill effect I have found is that the picture slideshow screensaver (presumably) runs out of memory and displays artifacts. The Flurry screensaver works fine.
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