Apple Footer. Trade‑in value based on 2019 15-inch MacBook Pro. Trade‑in values will vary based on the condition, year, and configuration of your trade‑in device. You must be at least 18 years old to be eligible to trade in for credit or for an Apple Store Gift Card. Not as a wired monitor of course. But you can use VNC connections to make your MacBook a Remote Desktop. Do remember though: there will be an immense amount of lag and compared to a wired monitor (which has about 1–4 ms of latency) you will face A.
My extra MagSafe Power Adapter for my MacBook Pro arrived yesterday, so I now have the last ingredient needed to turn my MacBook Pro into a desktop. The extra adapter enables me to run its wires behind my desk to the machine once it’s in its desktop stand, alleviating the need for the regular outlet chord and for me to need to crawl under the desk and disconnect it every time I take the notebook on the road. I now have my desktop set up so I simply plug and unplug the MBP to its various chords, turn it on, and close it up and slide it into place. I’m running an Apple Wireless Keyboard (Bluetooth) and a Macally BT Mouse (Bluetooth) with the machine, and the combo seems to work well together. I usually do have to cycle power to the mouse to kick the MBP’s Bluetooth functions into gear, but the MBP picks up both peripherals when I do. For networking, I plug the notebook into my Gigabit Ethernet router, turn off Airport, and make Apple Talk active on the Ethernet port when I do. I’m using the whole set-up with a 20 inch Apple Cinema Display sitting up on an Allsoft monitor stand.
My data disks are a Maxtor Easy Touch III 300 GB Firewire 400/USB 2.0 hard disk for OS X and a Maxtor 160 GB hard disk inside a SIIG Firewire 800 hard disk case for Windows XP. The Easy Touch is also a clone of the boot hard drive on my dual G5. The SIIG contains Windows applications and data that I either don’t need to haul on the road or that are simply too large to fit on the Windows XP partition of my MBP. If you’re wondering how I use the Easy Touch with my Intel Mac, the Intel Mac reads and writes to it without a problem since they’re both formatted using Mac OS X Extended. I simply can’t boot or run the Intel Mac from the drive. But it does allow me full access to all the data I have. I had thought I’d keep both it and the G5 PowerMac in synch by using the MaxTouch Utility, but I tried it this morning and it cannot write some files on the hard drive, at least when I try to clone the whole thing. That said, the mistake was probably mine in that what I believe I need to synch are just the user accounts rather than the whole drive. If that doesn’t work, I’ll probably try one of the file and folder synchronizing utilities available for the Mac. I plug in and turn on the SIIG FW800 drive before booting the MacBook Pro into Windows XP, and I am finding that Windows treats the drive like an internal drive rather than a removable one. That’s fine with me; it makes my use of the external practically invisible. Microsoft Flight Simulator X and the Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator and CFS2 run better on my MBP than my old AMD 2800+ powered homebuilt PC which has, because of that, been designated to go home with another family member. To hook the machine into my USB peripherals, I am running a USB 2.0 extension chord from the USB 2.0 hub on the rear of the 20 inch Apple Cinema Display to a spot near the USB hub that plugs into the 23 inch Apple Cinema Display near my dual G5 PowerMac. To use the peripherals with my MBP, I simply unplug the hub from the 23 inch ACD and into the USB extension chord. I still have a few issues to work out, but this set-up allows me to maximize my use of all my computer assets while minimizing the amount of upkeep and expense. I can work on the dual G5 PowerMac or the MacBook Pro as I choose using the same data sets and the same peripherals. I can and often do run both machines at the same time, allowing me to tie up one or the other (and usually it is the dual G5) with video editing or encoding duties or just plain maintenance tasks, without interrupting what I am doing. I also have been able to eliminate the need for a separate Windows PC. The MBP is even Vista capable if I want to go there, something I have no intention of doing at the moment. My money will be going to Leopard next year; I won’t be upgrading to Leopard unless something drives me into it. I doubt that will happen anytime soon, if ever at all.
Turn Macbook Pro Into Desktop
I also still like the Logitech S530 over the Apple keyboard and Macally mouse I’m using, but I’d have to give up a USB port to run that, and they’re scarce right now. If Logitech ever comes out with a Bluetooth version of that set, I’ll buy it and use it with my MBP. But for now, the Apple and Macally keyboard and mouse combo work fine. I do still need to add an external iSight to this set-up, and I’ll probably do that sometime after Christmas.
We can think of a lot of reasons to use a MacBook as a desktop system while at home or in the office. First, one computer makes it easier to keep our work environment consistent. Who wants to sync files and settings between two or more computers? And who wants to pay for a second Mac plus display if you already own a great computer and just need the display and a few accessories? Plus, using a great big desktop display makes work more satisfying.
So grab some, or all, of the accessories below to turn your MacBook into one of the best Mac desktops money can buy.
27″ Apple Thunderbolt Display
At $999, or $829 for a refurbished model, the Apple Thunderbolt Display seems like overkill since many companies sell a 27″ display for under $500. Few inexpensive displays offer the functions that Apple’s 22650×1440 resolution display offers. It connects with just two cables and offers a 3-port powered USB 2.0 hub.
You can also plug a FireWire 800 drive or Thunderbolt drive into the display. Using the Gigabit ethernet for networking gets you a faster and more reliable connection.
On the front a FaceTime camera allows video chat even with the MacBook closed.
The bright and accurate picture looks beautiful. The high-resolution means opening two apps at once without feeling cramped. The included speakers sound muted and muddy, but that’s easy to fix with a pair of nice USB speakers.
TwelveSouth BookArc Stand
Save desktop space by putting the MacBook Air or Pro in a stand. We recommend one of two options. The TwelveSouth’s BookArc Stands come in durable aluminum and costs $49.99 from TwelveSouth. Rubber inserts won’t scratch the soft aluminum on the MacBook and the rubber feet keep it in place.
The mStand from Rain offers a second option for people who want to keep their MacBook open. It holds the computer up off the desk and gives the user room to slide a keyboard under it when not in use. It costs $49, or $59 with a rotating base. The user can forgo the second display with this option, saving cash for higher quality peripherals.
Apple Aluminum Keyboard with Numeric Keypad
If we pick the space-saving BookArc stand, we’ll need an external keyboard. The Apple Aluminum Keyboard connects via USB to the display and takes up very little space. The island style keys make typing comfortable, it feels like the MacBook keyboard. A dedicated number pad and a pair of USB 2.0 ports are on either side. The keyboard sits at a comfortable angle. The keyboard retails for $49.99 at Apple.
One could also get the Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard K750 for Mac on Amazon for about $60, for those who prefer a good wireless Mac-specific keyboard.
Apple Magic Mouse
Some people hate Apple’s Magic Mouse, but we like it. The mouse gives users an OSX experience unlike any other mouse, thanks to the gestures it supports by swiping the top of the mouse.
Be sure to go into the mouse settings and turn on the feature that gives the user a right-click by pressing on the outside right of the mouse.
Two other pointing options include the Razer Or0chi for those who don’t like Apple’s mice, or an Apple Magic TrackPad for those who want the same pointing device away from the desk. Razer made their mouse for gamers, but it functions nicely for everyone else. Amazon sells it for $62.99. The Apple Magic Mouse or the Magic TrackPad are $69 from Apple.
Belkin Hub-To-Go
The Belkin Hub-To-Go gives users a mobile hub and a desktop hub in one device. The mobile four port hub plugs into a base that adds three ports for a total of seven USB 2.0 ports. Plug the base into the computer and a wall outlet using the AC plug to turn it into a powered hub. A little cup on the front holds things like flash drives or SD cards.
External Storage
We recommend getting an external USB, FireWire or Thundebolt hard drive for backups and an external Blu-ray drive for installing software, or watching and ripping videos. Here’s our list of picks going from cheapest but slower, to more expensive but faster:
USB – Seagate BackUp Plus costs less than $75 on Amazon for a 500 GB USB 3.0 mobile drive. They also ship in 750GB or 1000GB versions with black, red, silver or blue.
FireWire 800 – The Western Digital MyBook Studio 1TB drive is $129.99 on Amazon. They also sell a 2TB, 3TB and 4TB model. Desktop only!
ThunderBolt – Seagate Backup Plus Desk for Mac costs $400 on Amazon. It’s desktop only!
When looking for a backup DVD or Blu-ray, don’t overpay. We do like Apple’s $79 SuperDrive, but users can find cheaper options. Look for a Blu-ray drive that costs no more than $100, unless it also writes Blu-ray.
Speakers
Don’t buy cheap speakers, since the MacBook and the Apple Thunderbolt Display already come with speakers. But for people who want great sound, consider the following set from Klipsch.