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scotto12 · Jan 11, 2009, 02:06 PM

hi, total newbie here.

i am currently on a PC, but i want to switch over and purchase a macbook pro before i complete school (multimedia design / animation.) i have read about the new MBP's having dual display capabilities, and i am wondering if the older MBP models have the same capabilities. (because i am looking at possibly buying a used or refurbished older-model 15" MBP to save some money.)

my specific question is: can i use the laptop's screen to hold all my tool palettes while using my external 20" monitor as my main artboard / stage? i am currently using flash, illustrator, and photoshop, and i will soon be getting into autodesk maya.

even my big monitor gets pretty crowded with tool palettes, so i'd love to split it into two screens. but i'd also love to not have to pay 2 grand for a brand new MBP. (my student discount at apple only knocks $100 off the price.) so... any recommendations on the older models? i would appreciate any insight or experiences about this subject that anyone would care to share.

thanks!

0157988944 · Jan 11, 2009, 02:54 PM

Every MBP can do this, yeah.

tooki · Jan 11, 2009, 03:04 PM

All MacBooks/MBPs, as well as any PowerBook made since 1998 or so, can do dual screens. iBooks cannot (some can with hacks).

Simon · Jan 11, 2009, 03:39 PM

You have support for pretty much any external DVI (or VGA) display. With the external display connected you have three options to chose from:
- use both displays with mirroring (the external mirrors the internal)
- use both displays with spanning (both displays show separate images but are 'virtually connected')
- closed-lid mode (only the external display is on)

scotto12 · Jan 11, 2009, 04:23 PM

okay.

thanks guys, that answers my question. you have been most helpful.

cheers,
scott

SVass · Jan 11, 2009, 05:47 PM

Originally Posted by tooki

All MacBooks/MBPs, as well as any PowerBook made since 1998 or so, can do dual screens. iBooks cannot (some can with hacks).

A minor correction to avoid confusing the newbie.

Some year or two year old Mac Book Pros have a defective video processor that will NOT work in closed lid mode if they run Leopard 10.5.2 or later. Apple will repair them for free through June of next year.
sam

Koralatov · Jan 18, 2009, 07:14 AM

Originally Posted by SVass

Some year or two year old Mac Book Pros have a defective video processor that will NOT work in closed lid mode if they run Leopard 10.5.2 or later. Apple will repair them for free through June of next year.
sam

Damn, that sucks. Do we know exactly which models are affected by this?

imdipped · 12:50 AM

I have a June 2007 MBP manufactured in Dec '07 with the bad (GeForce 8600M GT) graphics. I am waiting for it to fail but so far no indication that it will. I am running a 19" monitor in closed lid mode using Leopard 10.5.6.

Urkel · Jan 19, 2009, 02:32 AM

Originally Posted by adamfishercox

Every MBP can do this, yeah.

Every PC notebook can do this too.

I'm not trying to push him either direction, we were all students at some point and being tight on cash isn't fun. The guy obviously is on a budget so he should be aware that this isn't a unique Apple feature and there's a ton of different computers that can fit his budget and needs and they aren't all Macs.

Spheric Harlot · Jan 19, 2009, 06:19 AM

True, but that wouldn't be switching to Mac, now, would it?

rageman · Jan 21, 2009, 11:24 AM

I have a June 2007 MBP manufactured in Dec '07 with the bad (GeForce 8600M GT) graphics. I am waiting for it to fail but so far no indication that it will. I am running a 19" monitor in closed lid mode using Leopard 10.5.6.

If you are buying used, be aware of this. I have the same graphics card in mine (bought used) which hasn't failed, but I feel like its a ticking time bomb. I use two displays most of the time (mbp+external).