Am I not able to extend my desktop using two monitors with my Dual 2.7 G5 Power Mac?
Hello, I own a Dual 2.7 G5 PowerMac running OS 10.4.
I recently began looking into buying a second display with the intention of extending my desktop. But when I went up to Mac Help on my desktop toolbar and typed in "multiple displays", I found some poor news that I am hoping is not true.
Now, I haven't purchased the second monitor yet so obviously it is not hooked up, but the Mac Help informed me that I am to open System Preferences, than click Displays, and than click Arrangement. The thing is, I do not have an arrangement option/button/tab.
The MacHelp than states this:
"If you don't see an Arrangement button, your computer is only capable of mirroring (showing the same image on all screens)".
Do I not have the arrangement option simply because I do not currently have two monitors plugged in? I thought this hardcore PowerPC would be able to extend my desktop. I certainly do not want to buy a second monitor until I can be reassured with what I assumed would be the ability to extend my desktop across two monitors using this killer-diller computer.
Incase you couldn't tell, I have never set up a dual monitor situation. What am I doing wrong? What can I do or what do I need to do to accomplish this? Thanks!
I recently began looking into buying a second display with the intention of extending my desktop. But when I went up to Mac Help on my desktop toolbar and typed in "multiple displays", I found some poor news that I am hoping is not true.
Now, I haven't purchased the second monitor yet so obviously it is not hooked up, but the Mac Help informed me that I am to open System Preferences, than click Displays, and than click Arrangement. The thing is, I do not have an arrangement option/button/tab.
The MacHelp than states this:
"If you don't see an Arrangement button, your computer is only capable of mirroring (showing the same image on all screens)".
Do I not have the arrangement option simply because I do not currently have two monitors plugged in? I thought this hardcore PowerPC would be able to extend my desktop. I certainly do not want to buy a second monitor until I can be reassured with what I assumed would be the ability to extend my desktop across two monitors using this killer-diller computer.
Incase you couldn't tell, I have never set up a dual monitor situation. What am I doing wrong? What can I do or what do I need to do to accomplish this? Thanks!
Comments
Amorya
Originally posted by AppleComputer
The MacHelp than states this:
"If you don't see an Arrangement button, your computer is only capable of mirroring (showing the same image on all screens)".
Do I not have the arrangement option simply because I do not currently have two monitors plugged in?
Yep. You won't see the arrangement tab until the second monitor is connected and recognized by the Mac. Borrow a friend's monitor and check it out if you're still concerned, but if you've got a port for another display you should be golden.
Originally posted by Guartho
Yep. You won't see the arrangement tab until the second monitor is connected and recognized by the Mac. Borrow a friend's monitor and check it out if you're still concerned, but if you've got a port for another display you should be golden.
edit: Damn you English and your different time zone! I get up really early and I STILL get beat posting an answer!
According to apple-history.com I have "one single-link and one dual-link DVI port" and my video out is is both DVI and ADC.
Off the top of anybody's head, if this is a easy one to answer, which format looks to be the best bet for longterm compatibility? I don't know which one is to be obsolete the soonest. Thanks. You guys all rock.
Originally posted by AppleComputer
haha, thank you all so much! I can't wait to shred on my dual screens! My next hurdle is connecting the soon-to-be-purchased monitor via whatever adapter I might have to buy to do so. But that's not a big deal, I'm sure there is an adapter out there for every connector type.
According to apple-history.com I have "one single-link and one dual-link DVI port" and my video out is is both DVI and ADC.
Off the top of anybody's head, if this is a easy one to answer, which format looks to be the best bet for longterm compatibility? I don't know which one is to be obsolete the soonest. Thanks. You guys all rock.
DVI
DVI
FYI in case it helps, I've just connected a Dell 30" to my Powerbook G4. I too wanted the toolbar running across the top - ideally, repeated on both monitors. The best I could do was to arrange the toolbar to be one one monitor or the other, but not both. Somehow I will have to survive.
BTW It is my understanding that for a display of this size especiallly, the dual-link DVI is required, and it is what ships with the monitor, and it is what my card supports (although, this is the maximum it can do).
The OS is very smart about detecting the setup, and it reverts to the one-monitor display when the Dell is not attached, without any problem whatsover (no icons rearranged like in certain other best-selling OS's, for instance). All hail Apple.