A dream setup: THREE monitors on a Macbook!
by Carl Mercier
So you’ve always dreamed of connecting more than 1 external monitor to your Macbook (or any Mac) huh? Guess what, I just did it!
The process is not quite as straightforward as it should be, but it works pretty well.
The secret lies in a nifty application called ScreenRecycler. In a nutshell, it allows you to use a monitor connected to a second computer as an additional monitor to your main computer. So yes, you DO need 2 computers. The good news is that the second computer can be either Mac, Windows or Linux. The bad news is that it’s slightly slower if the second computer is not a Mac. My second box is running Windows and it’s very usable for e-mail and calendaring.
My setup consists of:
- 1 Dell 24″ 2405FPW (awesome monitor btw)
- 1 Samsung 22″ 2243BWX (vertical)
- 1 Unibody Macbook
- 1 custom-built PC
Screen configuration:
- Main screen: Pretty much everything happens on this screen
- Vertical screen (left): Mail.app (top), iCal (bottom)
- Macbook screen: Twhirl, Corporate MSN Messenger, Adium
The -really- cool thing about my setup is that, if I ever need to use Windows, I can just stop ScreenRecycler and my Windows desktop appears on my left screen. Because I use SynergyKM (and this), I simply have to move my mouse to the left and my keyboard and mouse automatically start controlling Windows.
For your information, clicking the image will let you see my setup it its full glory!
[...] …Read More [...]
interesting, since I need now a third monitor for iTunes and tweetdeck
by the way, I also use a mbp + a dell, but I use a kvm switch whenever I need to check something on windows. been happy with the setup for 2 years
http://www.belkin.com/flip/
you should look at the matroxdualhead2go (or triple). no 2nd machine required. works great on my mac.
Great post, thanks! How is your Dell 2405FPW connected to your MacBook? Has Apple sorted out the problems with the Mini-DisplayPort-to-DVI or -VGA adapters yet?
Bryan: there was a Mini-DP to DVI adapter from day 1. That’s what I’ve been using since the beginning and it works great.
[...] friend Carl Mercier has managed to put have his macbook run with two external monitors! Unfortunately, I do not have the required gear to test how well it works. It seems very convenient [...]
Carl, I think there is a manufacturing defect on the Samsung monitor. I don’t know if you noticed, but it blurs out your emails and your calendar events.
I recommend looking up that issue on GetSatisfaction.com
Hmm, very cognitive post.
Is this theme good unough for the Digg?
Nice setup. Thanks for the screen recycler links. I will try that right away.
Martin
Hi, you say it’s slower because your other machine is windows… would it be faster under linux? or only on another mac?
Pat: The problem is the speed of VNC, network, etc, not really the machine. Apparently it’s much much faster with another Mac using JollysFastVNC but I haven’t tried it.
Je me demande si avec un hackintosh ca ferait la job? je vais probablement essayer lorsque mon nouveau bureau sera terminé.
Thanks for sharing, Do you know any similar programs to work with Windows?
Extended desktop on the Apple laptops is only currently supported with one monitor. It’s possible that at some point in the future, when a video card is released to fit the Mac Book Pro’s ExpressCard/34, one will be able to further extend the desktop, from two to three monitors.
For multi-monitor use, a great option to consider is a G5 tower, into which you can install many video cards, the only material limiting factor to how far you can extend your desktop (anyone for 5 monitors??).
Hi guys,
It has been a while since a post here, but I want to give a once and for all solution that costs a 3rd of the Matrox setup, doesn’t need a second computer, is simpler and works a lot better. I wish I had known this before going through hell and back with Matrox who didn’t want to accept a return of their junk box, that just stretches your screen over two monitors, because it wasn’t defective and because they have some fine print on their website stating that there are problems with the newest 2010/2011 MacBooks and their display port using the dualhead2go digital. I still can’t believe they didn’t accept a return but that attitude towards customers always gets back to you.
Here the solution for an awesome triple or more monitor setup with your pretty little MacBook (Pro):
3 great advantages:
1 it allows for totally independent screens at full resolution, it is not just a stretch.
2 it is much less expensive than the Matrox, only around $80
3 Very easy install, mac users must download the displaylink driver from displaylink dot com, then plug and play.
This is the device:
DIMOND USB HD Video Adaptor Plus 3 Port Hi-Speed USB Hub.
Model: BVUMD3
Bought it from Amazon and they get it through Buy dot com
Cheers,
Dustin
Hey Dustin
Thanks for the info.. do you know if the resolution is good with rotating screen as well with that device?
Thanks
Pat
Hi Pat any news on the Diamond USB adaptor?
I cant see how you are going to run 3 monitors of that unit?
Let me know if you find something.
Hi Pat,
Excuse the late reply. Help me out and tell me what you mean with rotating screen…
Jaques,
3 displays: Your MacBook Pro screen, then in my case 2 x 24″ Samsung flat screens. Number 1 is connected via the Display Port (Mini display port to DVI adaptor needed). Number 2 is connected to the DIAMOND adaptor via DVI cable, the DIAMOND it self connects to your MacBook via USB.
Thats 3 screens and it works just great.
Hope that helps!
Dustin
Hi Pat any news on the Diamond USB adaptor? I cant see how you are going to run 3 monitors of that unit? Let me know if you find something.
Nice setup. Thanks for the screen recycler links. I will try that right away. Martin
@Latoya Bridges I finally got similar adapater on monoprice.com (for a lot cheaper) and now have three monitors hooked up my black macbook :
http: “slash” “slash” patrick.wfp.ca “slash” un-laptop-trois-ecrans
Hi Pat any news on the Diamond USB adaptor? I cant see how you are going to run 3 monitors of that unit? Let me know if you find something.
@Angelica I finally got the same kind of adapter at monoprice (www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=101&cp_id=10114&cs_id=1011403&p_id=6040&seq=1&format=2)
It works great.. i have 2 monitors hooked with these adapters and one with the mini-dvi apple display.. it’s great
@Pat: How fast is the adapter? I understand it’s not for playing games, but does simple browsing feel sluggish?
@Carl Well, it’s not sluggish at all, it can even handle video quite good.. not as good as on the native mini-dvi adapter but good enough.. frankly i use my two monitors that are hooked on these adapters for chat, itunes, twitter, etc… and work on the main center one.. (patrick.wfp.ca/un-laptop-trois-ecrans/)
Thank you for this article.