Connecting PC Computer for image on Macbook Pro

[g0ld3nb0y]

Hi,

So I have this Macbook Pro 15" 2.53 ghz mid 2009 32 bit, to which I bought genuine Windows 7 (for 40$!) 32 bits, and Boot Camp on it.

I was wondering if, should I buy a PC Tower computer, I could plug it to my Mac (either on Mac or Boot Camp) and have a secondary computer screen working at same time as a genuine pc computer screen, to, like, browse, chat and things while playing?

I haven't still bought the said computer PC tower & screen, so I could not answer questions precisely about it.

Thanks for information!

 

[pigoo3]

I was wondering if, should I buy a PC Tower computer, I could plug it to my Mac (either on Mac or Boot Camp) and have a secondary computer screen working at same time as a genuine pc computer screen, to, like, browse, chat and things while playing?

Buying a PC Tower would negate the usefulness of running Windows on a Macintosh computer. If you do this..you might as well have two computers (one Apple computer running the Mac OS…and one computer running the Windows OS).

As far as Windows on a Mac. If running Windows via bootcamp…then the Mac is dual-boot. Meaning you can only be running the Mac OS or the Windows OS. If you want to run both simultaneously (on the Mac). Then you need to run an emulation program like Parallels or VMware Fusion.

Please read these 2 threads for more info:

http://www.mac-forums.com/running-w...otcamp-save-yourself-possibly-hours-time.html
http://www.mac-forums.com/running-w...4239-running-windows-mac-switchers-guide.html

- Nick

 

[g0ld3nb0y]

Hi,

Thanks for the answer. Actually, I'm not sure if I expressed my question properly.

In other words, what I wanted to know is : Could I be able to use my Macbook Pro as a ***Second Computer Screen*** to run a new pc on 2 screens simultaneously?

Thank you very much!

 

[chas_m]

I stand to be corrected on this, but the MacBook Pro has no NATIVE video input, so the quick answer would be "no." Also, what a terrible waste of a MacBook Pro!

 

[g0ld3nb0y]

i'd like to see this as a tentative to use my Mac on to a full extent

 

[lclev]

If you are saying you would like to purchase a PC tower, connect a monitor to it and then connect the Macbook Pro to it to use as a secondary monitor for the PC tower, then the answer is no. You can not use the Macbook pro laptop monitor as a secondary monitor for another computer.

Lisa

 

[pigoo3]

i'd like to see this as a tentative to use my Mac on to a full extent

Sounds like what you're saying is...you want to use the MacBook Pro display as a 2nd monitor for your Windows computer. If it were me…I would just get a $40 used monitor via Craig's List for this purpose.

- Nick

 

[g0ld3nb0y]

Sounds like what you're saying is...you want to use the MacBook Pro display as a 2nd monitor for your Windows computer. If it were me…I would just get a $40 used monitor via Craig's List for this purpose.

- Nick

Oh thanks for the tip !!

 

[Slydude]

Guys, if I understand the OPs question correctly it is possible to use a Mac screen as a second monitor for a PC. It is done with programs such as Screen Recycler or similar. Buying computer just to do this isn't worthwhile probably but if you have the hardware already it's not a bad way to go. IIRC their site explains a bit more http://www.screenrecycler.com/ScreenRecycler.html

 

[g0ld3nb0y]

Oh great! Just need a certain cable somewhere I guess?

 

[Slydude]

I haven't used the program in a while but here's what I remember from the last time I used it:
1. The program actually makes use of your network. It could either have the machines connected to the same network wirelessly or via ethernet.
2. On the Windows side you need a VNC program to let the PC be a screen server to send the content to ScreenRecycler. IIRC their site has some suggestions for possible programs.

Other things I remember from that little experiment were"
1. I used the program from one Mac to another. No idea how well it works Mac to PC.
2. I used it to put small things like Photoshop tool pallets on the second screen. I'm not sure how fast it 88is for more complex things.
3. For me the screen redraw on the second monitor was slow any time there was a change. Of course I was on an 802.11a network at the time.

 

[g0ld3nb0y]

Ok I get it, only thus would be a PC --> Mac and not the other way around!

Thank you