MacBook as desktop

[melamina]

I want to buy a Macbook and use it as desktop connected to my Acer LCD.
I was wondering which of the new MacBooks is best suited for this (the white one or the Aluminum).

I know both have the same graphic card (Nvidia 9400) but the white one has a Mini-DVI out whilst the aluminum has a mini Display port. Will the latter have better response?

Can the macbook be kept closed all the time?

Will it overheat? Will it perform properly?

Would you recommend to remove the battery if used as a desktop?

Thanks in advance

 

[Dylanyouto]

Yo, I might be able to answer most of your questions! I am running a 2.4ghz Aluminum Macbook as a desktop.

Both Macbooks will work great in desktop mode.

The different ports will not make a noticeable difference with your external monitor.

I suggest keeping the lid open on the Macbook because I believe the venting is threw the keyboard. Plus you can open the lid and use it as a second screen! It works really well. But if you had to keep the lid closed you should be okay. I don't believe it will harm your Macbook.

Don't remove the battery due to the fact that it slows your performance. This was pronounced by Apple. There is a thread on the forums about it.

Good luck!

 

[Derek McNelly]

I suggest keeping the lid open on the Macbook because I believe the venting is threw the keyboard.

The fans are at the back near the screen, so keeping it open or closed isn't going to make a huge difference, but as you said, having two screens is an added bonus.

 

[sherpa99]

Derek,

I was wondering, when using both the monitor and the laptop -- thus 2 screens -- must the menu bars stay docked with the laptop? I've tried it, but can't seem to find a way to move the menu bars to the larger, external monitor, where I spend the majoring of my viewing time.

-R

 

[pigoo3]

Derek,

I was wondering, when using both the monitor and the laptop -- thus 2 screens -- must the menu bars stay docked with the laptop? I've tried it, but can't seem to find a way to move the menu bars to the larger, external monitor, where I spend the majoring of my viewing time.

-R

To move the "menu bar" from the laptop display to the external monitor:

- go to "System Preferences"
- then click on "Displays"
- then in the graphic representation of the two monitors, simply "click & drag" the menu bar from the Macbook display to the external display.

Hope this helps,

- Nick

 

[melamina]

Many thanks to all!
So the ventilation in the white and aluminum is at their backs?


Might the mini Display port be quicker (than the mini-dvi) delivering the signal to the monitor?
I read in some other post (from somewhere in 2007) that in some programs there might be a small response drag when running an external monitor. Could that be because of an older graphics card?

Would you recommend the Aluminum over the white to be used as a desktop?
maybe it stays cooler and is more durable.

I'm from Argentina and these machines are much more expensive here so I want to make the best buy.

Thanks a lot for the advice!

 

[walkerj]

I've been using my second generation C2D white Macbook as a desktop with a 22" external widescreen LCD external wireless bluetooth keyboard/mouse external drives and USB printer/scanner/tablet/iPod/thumb drive/camera in desktop fashion for a couple years. Just about any Macbook will work just fine as a desktop. I've never encountered any issues with slow display or for that matter any other phantom problem that random people seem to have then post to a board like this one.

You'll be happy with either version of a Macbook.

 

[melamina]

Thanks a lot Walker

 

[ADKhikerVW]

Why not just get a mini?

 

[melamina]

Because I want to be able to carry it with me whenever I want (and I want the screen to be included)

 

[maz94protege]

i use mine as a desktop when im home. i have a fan app (SMCFan Control) that lets me keep the fan at 6200rpm all the time to keep it cool when closed. But i try to just keep the lid slightly cracked.

if you have the external LCD, Keyboard and Mouse hooked up, you do not have to open the screen to wake the computer from sleeping. Just move the mouse or hit the keyboard (external one) and it wakes up.

Great thing is you can do an extended desktop with having the 2 screens, can help out with projects for school, work or for fun.

Either White MB or the Aluminum one will work for you, just depends on your budget.