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alxalxnet · 11:31 AM

I just connected my 12" Apple Powerbook to the Samsung SyncMaster monitor 172w, via VGA.

However, I can NOT have the desktop extend to the full wide size of the screen (16:9) - unless I want to see a stretched image.

The monitor has VGA and DVI inputs, so I was wondering if I can get a correct 16:9 desktop, by using a VGA to DVI adaptor.

icruise · Aug 8, 2003, 02:52 AM

I assume you are using monitor spanning and not mirroring?

alxalxnet · Aug 8, 2003, 03:01 AM

Originally posted by Icruise:
I assume you are using monitor spanning and not mirroring?

I tried them both.

Also, on the monitor I have two options: "NORMAL" (my 4:3 desktop appears in the center of the monitor with two black stripes on the sides) or "FULL SCREEN" (my 4:3 desktop is stretched to fill up the monitor).

Mithras · Aug 8, 2003, 05:53 AM

Did you try "Show All Resolutions" in the Displays prefpane?

alxalxnet · Aug 8, 2003, 11:26 AM

Originally posted by Mithras:
Did you try "Show All Resolutions" in the Displays prefpane?

Yes, I did. And I can't find any 'widescreen' resolution available. Is this a PB 12" issue? Is the PB 12" not enabled to support 16:9 screens? If so, why Apple doesn't specify it in the PB fact sheets?

Eug · Aug 8, 2003, 12:08 PM

In the System Prefs there is a Displays pref pane with a check box to show resolutions supported by the card but may not be supported by the display. I you sure you checked that? Do it when you have the 2nd display attached and see if that helps.

By the way, I'm wondering why you got the 172W. Around here, the 172T (not widescreen) is cheaper, and it has a higher resolution (and is a bigger screen).

alxalxnet · Aug 8, 2003, 12:19 PM

Originally posted by Eug:
In the System Prefs there is a Displays pref pane with a check box to show resolutions supported by the card but may not be supported by the display. I you sure you checked that? Do it when you have the 2nd display attached and see if that helps.

By the way, I'm wondering why you got the 172W. Around here, the 172T (not widescreen) is cheaper, and it has a higher resolution (and is a bigger screen).

Yes I did it, and I tried all the available resolutions. I guess this means that the video card i the PB 12" does NOT support widescreen resolutions. Can i change the card? Which one would you recommend?

I got the 172W because I need to work with many open windows/applications, and extending the desktop horizontally was a priority for me.

Biggysteve · Aug 8, 2003, 02:39 PM

I almost made the same mistake of getting the 172W for my 12 inch Powerbook, until I read some compatibility reports on the web. Long story short is that the 12 inch Powerbook does NOT support the 172W's native resolution no matter which way you slice the widescreen pie.

I recommend that you get the Samsung 172t, or 172b if you want to save money. You get same horizontal resolution, and more vertical resolution with both. In the case of the 172b, you may also pay less - I practically stole mine for 350 dollars.

alxalxnet · 02:53 PM

Originally posted by Biggysteve:
I almost made the same mistake of getting the 172W for my 12 inch Powerbook, until I read some compatibility reports on the web. Long story short is that the 12 inch Powerbook does NOT support the 172W's native resolution no matter which way you slice the widescreen pie.

Now I see... Do you know if I could fix this by changing the PB video card? I noticed on the Apple's fact sheets for the PBs, that the 12" and the widescreen 15" have the same video card, but different SDRAM (the 12" has 32MB, while the 15" has a 64Mb). Is this an SDRAM problem? Can i update my 12' with a different videocard?

Biggysteve · Aug 8, 2003, 04:04 PM

Originally posted by alxalxnet:
Now I see... Do you know if I could fix this by changing the PB video card? I noticed on the Apple's fact sheets for the PBs, that the 12" and the widescreen 15" have the same video card, but different SDRAM (the 12" has 32MB, while the 15" has a 64Mb). Is this an SDRAM problem? Can i update my 12' with a different videocard?

The video cards in Powerbooks are not upgradeable, so you're pretty much stuck with what you have. I believe this is the case in all laptops.

icruise · Aug 8, 2003, 04:55 PM

Unfortunately it looks like your only choice is to sell the monitor and get a new one. Or just live with it as it is.

slider · Aug 10, 2003, 03:34 PM

Well, I was looking at the 172W because of the wide screen. This monitor will be for my parents, both of which have poor eyes. They currently have an old iMac with the res set at 800x600, it drives me nuts. So the 1280x768 will be perfect for them. The wide aspect ratio is also something my dad wants as he uses spreadsheets alot. Whoever said the 172T was cheaper than the 172W, I found that not to be true using Pricegrabber.com to find the best prices on both. 172T 172W

Is anyone using the 172W, I am curious what you thing about. I would have loved to have advised him on getting an Apple Display, but those prices are outrageous, not matter how good the display looks.

MacYourDay · Aug 10, 2003, 07:09 PM

I have a 172W connected to a 15" TiBook via DVI, and its resolution is supported natively by the PB. I guess you might have to change monitors

alxalxnet · Aug 10, 2003, 07:46 PM

Originally posted by slider:
Well, I was looking at the 172W because of the wide screen. This monitor will be for my parents, both of which have poor eyes. They

Is anyone using the 172W, I am curious what you thing about. I would have loved to have advised him on getting an Apple Display, but those prices are outrageous, not matter how good the display looks.

The 172w work great for me (except the fact that I cannot take advantage of the full widescreen ratio, because of my 12" PB - see my previous posts).
However, if the problem is that your parents have poor eyes, I would definitely get them something bigger: IF YOU CAN'T USE IT IN WIDESCREEN FORMAT, it's basically like having a 15" monitor.

slider · Aug 10, 2003, 07:55 PM

They will be using it with a new G5 1.6 or 1.8. Thanks.

alxalxnet · Dec 4, 2003, 01:56 PM

Originally posted by alxalxnet:
The 172w work great for me (except the fact that I cannot take advantage of the full widescreen ratio, because of my 12" PB - see my previous posts).
However, if the problem is that your parents have poor eyes, I would definitely get them something bigger: IF YOU CAN'T USE IT IN WIDESCREEN FORMAT, it's basically like having a 15" monitor.

I finally managed to have a widescreen image on the SyncMaster 172W with my 12" PB. This is how I did it.
1) You have to turn on the MIRRORING MODE
2) Select the 1280 x 768 resolution.
3) CLOSE THE LAPTOP'S LID to de-activate the laptop's monitor. The SyncMaster 172w will automatically turn to Widescreen resolution without stretching!

uv23 · Dec 4, 2003, 02:54 PM

I was about to suggest closing the laptop. This confused me too for a few minutes when I first tried to connect to an external monitor. At home, I leave my 12" closed and connect it via DVI to a Samsung 171P (1280x1024) and it works like a dream.