Apple 3400 Series manual Using an external monitor

Using an external monitor

You can connect an external monitor to your Macintosh PowerBook. If you are familiar with other PowerBook models, you will note that the types of monitors you can use with this model and the way images are displayed on an external monitor differ somewhat from other PowerBook computers.

To make the best choice of an external monitor, keep in mind the following characteristics of your PowerBook’s hardware.

mYour PowerBook can support a variety of external monitors, including

17-inch and 20-inch multiple-scan displays. Resolutions supported range from 512 x 384 pixels to 1024 x 768 pixels.

mThe connector on the computer’s back panel is a VGA-style connector. You can connect the cable for a VGA-style monitor directly to your PowerBook.

mTo connect an Apple (or Apple-compatible) monitor to your PowerBook, you must use the adapter that came with the computer (part number M0289).

mImages can appear on the internal display, the external monitor, or both screens, depending on your choice of resolution on the external monitor.

mWhen an image appears on both screens, it is exactly the same (known as “simulscan” or mirroring). You cannot move the pointer or menu bar from one screen to the other (as you can when an external monitor is connected to other PowerBook models or to most Macintosh desktop models).

mWhen an external monitor offers the same resolution as the PowerBook’s internal display (800 x 600 pixels at 60 hertz [Hz] refresh rate), the image appears on both screens the first time you turn on the computer (unless the PowerBook’s display is closed).

mThe PowerBook is designed to be “plug-and-play” when an external monitor is attached. If the monitor is Apple-compatible, the PowerBook tries to use the highest resolution possible. If the external monitor is not Apple-compatible but provides a list of its capabilities, the system uses that list of resolutions. If no list of resolutions is provided by the monitor, the system uses a resolution of either 800 x 600 pixels or 640 x 480 pixels as the default for that monitor.

Connecting Additional Equipment 67