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pcryan5 · Jan 3, 2008, 11:38 AM

I have been trying to find a workable dual display solution for my 15" MBP and 24" Samsung monitor. (I am trying to have to seperate windows as opposed to a single stretched window.)

There have been a few discussions (i.e. Best way for dual external display with separate desktops for MBP) that pre-date Leopard. My question is - has anything changed in this area?

thanks!

seanc · Jan 3, 2008, 11:42 AM

You want to have separate application windows for the app. on the screen that you choose.... that's fine.
I don't think I understand the question, can you elaborate? What's the problem you want a solution for?

ghporter · Jan 3, 2008, 11:50 AM

I think the options are "mirrored" and "extended desktop," with extended being the default. What is it you are trying to do with these "separate windows"?

tinkered · Jan 3, 2008, 06:55 PM

Nothing has changed, you want extended desktop and you want to orient them in a way that feels natural.

jrow · Jan 16, 2008, 12:30 PM

I have no problem using the extended display. However, it is hit and miss when it comes to using only the external display. Putting the MBP to sleep and switching to the ext display doesn't always work. Maybe I'm doing something wrong. I have read that turning on the MBP (with ext display plugged in) and closing the lid will work. But I do want to move back and forth with out having to shut down the MBP.

Could anybody please explain how you get the MBP to only use an external display?

Any help is appreciated. I just switched to Mac 2 weeks ago and have much to learn.

ibook_steve · Jan 16, 2008, 12:39 PM

1. Attach external display, mouse, and keyboard. Mirrored or extended desktop should appear on external display.

2. Close MBP lid to put machine to sleep.

3. Click mouse or hit key on keyboard to wake machine and display only on external display.

This is described in Mac Help and in your user manual that came with your MBP.

Steve

Simon · Jan 16, 2008, 12:41 PM

Make sure AC power is connected. Closed-lid mode won't work if you don't attach power.

jrow · Jan 16, 2008, 12:48 PM

Worked like a charm. Apparently attaching the AC cord made the difference.

Thanks.

ghporter · Jan 16, 2008, 04:40 PM

Is the AC thing documented? I haven't seen it (in a very cursory search). This sounds very "FAQ-ish".

Simon · Jan 17, 2008, 04:06 AM

Originally Posted by jrow

Worked like a charm. Apparently attaching the AC cord made the difference.

It's always been that way, but apparently a lot of people don't know about it.

I see closed-lid mode issues pop up here a lot and half the time the problems go away once people learn that AC power has to be connected to the Mac for closed-lid mode to work.

Simon · Jan 17, 2008, 04:22 AM

Originally Posted by ghporter

Is the AC thing documented? I haven't seen it (in a very cursory search). This sounds very "FAQ-ish".

It has always been this way. And Apple has always made it very clear that you need to connect power for close-lid mode to work:

They tell you to do it in this general KB article on closed-lid mode.

They tell you to do it in the MBP user's manual (page 69).

Important:To use your MacBook Pro with the display closed, the power adapter must be plugged into the MacBook Pro and a functioning power outlet."

ghporter · Jan 17, 2008, 07:51 AM

I did say it was a "very cursory search."

I didn't even get out my MPB's manual-I took a swag at a search term and used Google. Which probably means I used a crummy search term...

And I think this one goes in the FAQ as soon as we build it. (Yes, we're working on FAQs. It's a lot of work though, so don't think we're about to announce full-featured FAQs for everything tomorrow. No way! But give us time...)