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adamj575 · Apr 2, 2007, 10:29 AM

i hope im in the right forum for this question as i have searched and found some useful info but cannot find an answer to my question. i recently bought a macbook and have decided that i need to get rid of my xp desktop and go to an apple desktop as well. my question is this, how easy is it to connect a macbook to an external monitor and use a bluetooth mouse and keyboard, as this is the route im considering. it is between this and buying an imac. i know each would have its benifits. for one i like the idea of always having all of my files in one place whether i have my macbook connected as a desktop or carry it with me as a notebook. but im just not sure how simple it would be to hook up/unhook the monitor, mouse ,keyboard and speakers each time i wanted to do so. any one who uses this config. please reply and help me solve my delima.

ibook_steve · Apr 2, 2007, 10:50 AM

I think most of the information you seek can be found here:

Apple - MacBook Family

Built-in Bluetooth and hot-plug and unplug of monitors. It's that simple.

Steve

adamj575 · Apr 2, 2007, 10:55 AM

i followed your link but didnt see any answer to my question i was wondering how easy it is to do what i am asking ie. is it just basically plug it in and go and vice versa

peeb · Apr 2, 2007, 12:13 PM

It's very easy - plug in, unplug, the book takes care of it all.

ibook_steve · Apr 2, 2007, 01:06 PM

Originally Posted by adamj575

i followed your link but didnt see any answer to my question i was wondering how easy it is to do what i am asking ie. is it just basically plug it in and go and vice versa

No offense, but the idea of providing a link is meant as a starting point for you for further research so you can learn on your own without relying on others. At the bottom of that page (Apple's own web site by the way) is a link "Learn more about MacBook." There you would find all the information about the MacBook that you need. I also mentioned the built-in Bluetooth and the hot plug and unplug of external displays (mentioned under the "Tech Specs" web page at Apple), so I was pretty sure that would have answered your questions.

Steve

mfbernstein · Apr 2, 2007, 02:09 PM

If plugging and unplugging cables isn't your cup of tea, there're also a (pricey) docking possibility.

For my purposes I've found a USB hub and USB audio device (iMic) handy, leaving my MBP with only 3 cables to plug and unplug: USB, DVI and power.

analogika · Apr 3, 2007, 04:35 AM

Originally Posted by peeb

It's very easy - plug in, unplug, the book takes care of it all.

Yep, that's all it is. No need to shut down, sleep, restart, do a song and dance, or configure anything.

Hook up the monitor - done (unless you wish to reposition the monitors relative to each other, e.g. switch one from the left to the right - that takes a quick visit to the display pane in the system preferences, drag into the right position - done).

dr_atheist · Apr 3, 2007, 06:25 AM

Originally Posted by mfbernstein

If plugging and unplugging cables isn't your cup of tea, there're also a (pricey) docking possibility.

That looks more like some sort of medieval torture device!

mfbernstein · Apr 3, 2007, 07:42 AM

No argument on aesthetic grounds. Problem is that Apple has not included a real docking capability in their notebooks since the days of the Duo 2300C. The fact that ports are now on the side, rather than the back, simple adds to the complications. If you think the MB dock is bad, have a look at the MBP one.

I find 3 cables, when 2 of them are MagSafe and USB, not too onerous, and so have avoided the oddly-shaped dock altogether. A pity the DVI cable doesn't have a USB-like connector to facilitate removal too.