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Powerbooks and External Displays


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Powerbooks and External Displays
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mvalenstein
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
 
2005-06-27, 10:13

I understand that this may be a basic question but:

If I had a powerbook and bought a external display, would I have to use the powerbook's keyboard and touchpad as the control devices, or would I be able to use a seperate mouse and keyboard to make things easier?
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kretara
Cynical Old Bastard
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: The Hot, Hazey, Humid South
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2005-06-27, 10:31

You would be able to use an external mouse and keyboard (by using the USB slots on the laptop) on either the powerbook or ibook.
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Brad
Selfish Heathen
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Zone of Pain
 
2005-06-27, 10:39

Also, the PowerBooks support "clamshell mode" by which you can close it and run with an external display, keyboard, and mouse.

How to use your PowerBook G4 with the display closed

The quality of this board depends on the quality of the posts. The only way to guarantee thoughtful, informative discussion is to write thoughtful, informative posts. AppleNova is not a real-time chat forum. You have time to compose messages and edit them before and after posting.
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mvalenstein
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Join Date: Jun 2005
 
2005-06-27, 11:23

Thanks, that clamshell thing is exactly what I was looking for!
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frizz
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: San Jose
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2005-06-27, 13:48

Make sure you open the display a little to prevent the computer from overheating in clamshell mode. I use clamshell mode all the time and my powerbook gets pretty hott but opening the screen fixes the problem.
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flail
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
 
2005-06-27, 15:19

Quote:
Originally Posted by Brad
Also, the PowerBooks support "clamshell mode" by which you can close it and run with an external display, keyboard, and mouse.

How to use your PowerBook G4 with the display closed
Quote:
Originally Posted by frizz
Make sure you open the display a little to prevent the computer from overheating in clamshell mode. I use clamshell mode all the time and my powerbook gets pretty hott but opening the screen fixes the problem.
Hmm, I just bought a display for my 12" PB, wanted to clamshell it...

Brad: Do you agree with Frizz? Is is just a precaution or would it really be damaging to the PB or the PB screen to have it running in clamshell mode?
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kretara
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Join Date: May 2004
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2005-06-27, 15:34

If your PB will be sitting on a desk then, yes, I would agree with frizz.

I have an iCurve and it helps keep my PB cool when running in clamshell mode.
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BlueRabbit
Veteran Member
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: San Francisco, CA
 
2005-06-27, 17:27

Quote:
Originally Posted by flail
Hmm, I just bought a display for my 12" PB, wanted to clamshell it...

Brad: Do you agree with Frizz? Is is just a precaution or would it really be damaging to the PB or the PB screen to have it running in clamshell mode?
If you're using your PB on a wireless network, it's probably a good idea to open the lid a bit anyways - in my case, it improves Airport reception noticeably. About the computer heating up, the 12" PB has a small space between the computer and lid when closed, so that should help to dissipate heat a bit.
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mvalenstein
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
 
2005-06-27, 18:48

Alright, keeping the lid open I shall do. Can anyone recommend a good large widescreen display, that I could probably get a good deal on. I was thinking about the Dell 2005FPW. Does anyone have experience using this with their powerbook or other mac computer?
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katori
Member
 
Join Date: May 2005
 
2005-06-27, 21:07

Can iBooks also do this? The Apple support page seems to say that it can't, but I've also heard about screen spanning hacks and drivers for trackpad scrolling, so...
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rasmits
rams it
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Seattle
 
2005-06-27, 21:10

I always keep my 12" PowerBook's lid closed, and it never over-heats.
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MCQ
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Join Date: May 2004
Location: NY
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2005-06-27, 23:16

Quote:
Originally Posted by mvalenstein
Alright, keeping the lid open I shall do. Can anyone recommend a good large widescreen display, that I could probably get a good deal on. I was thinking about the Dell 2005FPW. Does anyone have experience using this with their powerbook or other mac computer?
I have a 12" PB with the 2005FPW - great setup, love the combination.

I'd recommend the 2005FPW on one of those $400-$500 sales that Dell seems to run every couple weeks.
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