Using an external monitor (as opposed to the one built in to a MacBook) couldn’t be easier than it is on a MacBook!
There is just one issue, if you are using a standard VGA type monitor (like I am) then you will need to purchase a lead/adaptor as they don’t have VGA ports on them. I’m not sure if older Macs have them, but the newer ones certainly don’t. The port that the MacBooks do have is a Mini Display Port which Apple themselves have created. Having said that, the design details for this port are out in the public domain (or so I believe) so any manufacturer could use it if they wish.
As the monitor I used to use with my PC laptop has a standard VGA connection I have had to shell out £20 (yes really that much) for a 4inch lead/adaptor so I connect it up.
Within a matter of seconds of turning on my monitor and plugging it in to my MacBook my monitor began displaying an image without me having to do anything! On having a quick look in System Preferences I found the Displays option in the Hardware section. I then set the displays to be mirrored and hey presto I was all set up!!
I only wanted to see the image on my external monitor and not on the screen of my MacBook. To achieve this was quite simple, I just closed the lid on my MacBook.
“Won’t that put the MacBook in to sleep mode?” I hear you cry! Yes it will. But if like me you have a USB keyboard/mouse plugged in to your MacBook you can wake the MacBook up by pressing a key etc. and you will then only have the display shown on the external monitor as the MacBook is that clever to realise what you are trying to achieve and wont display anything on the MacBook screen itself.
Don’t believe me? Then try it yourself and open up your MacBook and you’ll see that the screen remains blank until you press a key on the MacBooks built in keyboard.
