If you’re planning on using your MacBook with just an external display (that is, with the MacBook closed and its display turned off) you’re going to need an external keyboard, as well as either a mouse or a trackpad. We like the idea of using at least a 1440p display because it lessens the need to use the internal display of the MacBook it’s often really difficult to get a comfortable setup that uses both a bigger external display and the smaller internal laptop screen at the same time. The Apple Thunderbolt Display is in dire need of a refresh, but it’s still a great (if expensive) option, since you can charge your MacBook at the same time. If even these wide displays are too imposing, you can still hook up a 27-inch 1440p or 24-inch 1080p monitor through your video-out ports. That means you can plug in your monitor and your power, and be done the speakers and USB ports in the back of the display can run over Thunderbolt. If you can’t quite handle driving a 4K monitor, you can still connect some pretty impressive displays: LG makes a 34-inch, very widescreen display (the LG 34UM95) with a resolution of 3440×1440 – what makes this such an interesting display for Mac users is that it has a Thunderbolt connection.

If it’s one of the MacBook Pros or MacBook Airs from the last couple of generations, you’ll be able to use a 4K display, which is great if you can swing it properly set up, your external monitor can offer the same kind of Retina detail you’re used to seeing on your mobile devices.

Chief among them is an external display, and the kind of display you can use will depend on the kind of MacBook you have. It’s all about the display.īefore you get started, there are a few things you’re going to need. As a result, unless you know you need a desktop, your current MacBook is probably more than enough for most of your needs (for reference, this article was written around using a four-year old 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display, and the overall experience is still very slick).

These days, even a midrange laptop (that is, neither low end nor premium) is more powerful than a high-end desktop was just a few short years ago, and the needs of most people haven’t changed much in that time. Here’s how to get the most out of using your MacBook as a desktop. While there will always be customers who need the sort of power that only a workstation or gaming PC can provide, most of us are content with our laptops and MacBooks – sometimes, however, we can all get envious of those big, beautiful displays.

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