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daemo · Jul 5, 2007, 04:41 AM

Hi,

I was wondering what's the best way for having 2 external displays for a MacBook Pro. I'm looking to have 2 separate desktops, instead of 1 extended desktop (such as what the Matrox DualHead2Go offers).

Thanks a lot.
Dae

peeb · Jul 5, 2007, 10:24 AM

I am not aware of any way to do this.

mduell · Jul 5, 2007, 04:36 PM

You'd need a second graphics card to do that... here are a couple ExpressCard graphics cards, but I'm not sure if OS X supports either of them:
Belkin : High Speed Docking Station : Tech Specs
ASUSTeK Computer Inc.

daemo · Jul 5, 2007, 07:59 PM

Hey, tnx for the suggestions.

It seems that neither support OS X, also a few reviews said the vid quality of the belkin is really bad. I guess it really looks like there are no solutions for this at all...

OreoCookie · Jul 5, 2007, 08:20 PM

Since it has a DVI connector, there is no way, the video quality can be `bad' (as long as the monitor you use has a digital DVI-in).

There are a few OS X-compatible solutions, but for example this one will definitely be prohibitively expensive. Matrox offers a product called `DualHead Pro', but it has rather strict limitations as to the total resolution. I'd rather suggest you get a single, larger screen (you can connect a 30" ACD to the ProBook

).

daemo · Jul 6, 2007, 03:50 AM

Hey,

730 dollars? damn that is expensive... the thing is that I just feel 2 displays is easier to organize yourself than with 1 huge screen where you got everything scattered around. I'm looking to get 2 Samsung's 226bw which is a 22" screen for about 360 us dollars each. Ain't a bad price.

So you reckon that the belkin one would be just as good as connecting another screen directly through my external dvi port?

Otherwise I'm just left with the dualhead2go, but the thing that annoys me is that it's a desktop extender... I'd guess everytime I'll open an app, it'll open in the middle of the 2 displays lol.

OreoCookie · Jul 6, 2007, 11:10 AM

IMHO the DualHead 2 Go is not really an option, take a look at the maximum resolution … it's much lower than what you actually need, 1024x768 per display!

ginoledesma · Jul 6, 2007, 01:43 PM

I suppose it's different for each person. I have 2 of Samsung's 225BW monitors which I used to use with my desktop. After quite some time of using it in that setup, though, I've been somewhat hoping that I held off for a Dell 2407WFP instead. The increased screen resolution (1920x1200) is something that I think I'd be better off with. The one nice thing with 2 separate monitors is I can get one screen dedicated to video playback while... ahem... working. ;-)

There are other products that may fit the bill, but none of them are what I'd consider cheap. VillageTronic's VTBook retails for $250 and Digital Tiger's SideCar Express comes in at a whopping $1,299.

peeb · Jul 6, 2007, 01:53 PM

What do you use it for?

OreoCookie · Jul 6, 2007, 02:32 PM

Also, you do have a second screen, don't underestimate the MacBook's 15" screen. I use it at work for my pdf output files, Mail, Adium, etc, whereas my primary screen (18" LCD) is used for TextMate and other things.

peeb · Jul 6, 2007, 02:42 PM

Absolutely - I use the 15 inch plus a desktop monitor - it's a great settup - of course, there are compromises with laptops - if you really need mega-multi monitor love, a desktop is the way to go.

daemo · Jul 7, 2007, 07:09 AM

Actually, the Matrox DualHead2Go Digital Edition supports up to 1920x1200 which ain't that bad. The down side is that it only extends the desktop... I mean, that'd make virtue desktops pointless (or look funny), unless there's another app that'll be able to organize the spacing of the apps properly.

I'm using a MBP, so the VTBook: Notebook Multi Monitor Solution: Multiple Displays on your Laptop! is not an option, since there's no cardbus on MBP.

I thought there'd be a cheaper solution for this, but I guess I was wrong.

ginoledesma · Jul 9, 2007, 07:00 PM

I just stumbled across this: Belkin High-Speed ExpressCard Docking station, after trying to find VTBook with ExpressCard in Google. It's about $200 USD. I don't know how exactly this works, though.

Another solution (though I don't think you'll like it) is ScreenRecycler. It's software that allows you to use another PC+Monitor as a "new" monitor to your Mac. I tried it for a couple of days, but it didn't suit my needs.