Connecting MacBook Pro 13" to an External Monitor

Hi. I have a few questions about connecting my MBP to an external monitor:

1. What’s the difference between connecting the MBP when it’s opened and when it’s sleeping? Someone told me that the MBP gets really hot when using it when it’s sleeping.

2. Let’s say I want to connect it when it is opened. I just connect the cable & adapter and that’s it? All done?

3. I have 2 connections in my LG monitor – D-DVI and D-SUB. the D-DVI is already connected to my PC. Is it possible to connect the MBP to D-SUB? Is it recommended?

4. Is it possible to connect Apple Magic Mouse and Apple wireless keyboard when the MBP is opened and is connected to the external monitor?

Thanks in advance!

Adam

1. You can’t use computer which is in sleep mode.

2. Just connect the cable and you’re done. You can later change display settings in System Preferences -> Displays.

3. You will have to buy a MDP to D-SUB connector (I’m not sure if something like that exists) or use series of connectors, that is MDP ->DVI and DVI ->D-SUB. Just keep in mind that the display quality will be terrible when you connect monitor via D-SUB.

4. Why not?

pogoking said
1. You can’t use computer which is in sleep mode.

2. Just connect the cable and you’re done. You can later change display settings in System Preferences -> Displays.

3. You will have to buy a MDP to D-SUB connector (I’m not sure if something like that exists) or use series of connectors, that is MDP ->DVI and DVI ->D-SUB. Just keep in mind that the display quality will be terrible when you connect monitor via D-SUB.

4. Why not?

1. I mean the MBP is closed. (not turned off)

2. Okay cool, thanks.

3. Yeah that’s why I asked. What do you suggest? How can I connect my PC & Mac to the monitor, both with good qualities?

4. Awesome. Is it working with Bluetooth or what? How will I connect them?

Thank you very much for the reply, I appreciate it.

Okay well I think I will keep my MBP open while it’s connected. Now, what about the D-SUB connection? What can I do?

With answer number 1 I meant that once you close your MacBook it automatically goes to sleep mode. Once it’s sleeping only minimal amount of power is drawn to keep memory from losing it’s data.

If you don’t want you MB display to work while you use external monitor you can always turn the brightness down until it reaches 0

Now for the adapter – apparently you can buy one in Apple store

EDIT : And wireless keyboard and mice work via bluetooth.

Thank you very much pogoking. I saw something called DVI Switch that will let me connect the mac + PC to 1 DVI connector in my monitor. Is this thing recommended?

1. I heard some people saying that it automatically detects an monitor attached and it does not go to sleep mode when you close the lid. I got a MBP shipping which I want to connect to a display so I am sort of betting on it

Also I bought MiniDisplay Port to DVI so you can connect it with that

ZoomIt said
1. I heard some people saying that it automatically detects an monitor attached and it does not go to sleep mode when you close the lid. I got a MBP shipping which I want to connect to a display so I am sort of betting on it Also I bought MiniDisplay Port to DVI so you can connect it with that

Yeah but I only have one DVI connector in my monitor and I need to connect it to my mac + PC.

Thanks for the reply!