iMac can't do the expanded desktop !?

[Eckhart]

I recently treated myself to a new screen that I - not exclusively but also - wanted to connect to my iMac (G4) and I was shocked to see the Mac being only capable of the pityful, oftentimes useless mirrowing mode.

I remember my old Intel-Notebook which had half the video-memory/power and could easily do some sort of expanded desktop. So, what's the point behind that. Apple forcing their users to switch to a powerbook or so?

I'm not a hardware specialist, but I cannot imagine that task to be such a challenge on a G4 with 32Mb of video-ram. And it frustrates me that Apple apparently does not give me any other options about the second monitor. For example, switching between them; meaning that I could also change the resolution for the second screen. But no!! None of that or any similar

Am I missing something here or is this bitter reality?

 

[btoneill]

You're not supposed to be able to do dual monitors with iBooks or iMacs. Their "consumer" line don't have these features, mainly because most home users don't want two monitors. If you want/need dual monitors then powerbooks or powermacs are the options you have. The only reason I got an older used g4 tower instead of an iMac was for the dual monitor support, both were around the same cost.

Now, unoffically there are reports of people making firmware changes that have allowed dual monitors to work on the 15" iMacs and ice iBooks, altho there are also other reports of peopel toasting their iMacs/iBooks attempting the hack.

Brian

 

[Eckhart]

GEE! Seven month ago, I mused over the decision between a powermac and the iMac and I chose the latter. If I would have known... Grrr.

However, even then I felt, the PowerMac had more to offer for technically ambitioned people, but I was seduced by the all-in-one design of the iMac...

Anyways, I already figured what my next computer will be.

Thanks for the clearification, botoneill!

 

[bobw]

There's a patch that some on the Apple board says works to use extended desktop here;

http://www.rutemoeller.com/mp/ibook/ibook_e.html

This is the htread on Apple's board;

http://discussions.info.apple.com/webx?14@1.y6Jxa9Hcgbs.0@.3bb8d51b/0

 

[Jasoco]

The hack is for the 17" iMacs. Not the 15". At least the previous line. They don't have the right graphics card to do the hack.

But the 17" ones do. Supposedly.

 

[ekramer]

sweet.... i have a new project for my 17 imac and 23 hd cinema display!

 

[ex2bot]

Let us know how it goes.

 

[Eckhart]

Envy is the only thing I feel, when looking at ekramers hardware and thinking of my 15" iMac