Macbook worth "extending"?

I have a pretty standard Macbook (check sig) and I'm wondering if it's even worth giving it an external keyboard and monitor. (I already have a mouse) I know people do this with their Macbook Pro's, but should I even bother with a Macbook?

Also, if I don't get an external monitor, should I bother getting a bluetooth keyboard? I've thought about this for a while and I'm not sure if my Macbook is up to it.

 

Well, do you need an external monitor for something or do you just want an external monitor for the hell of it.

 

Probably for the hell of it.

 

Well if you've got the money why not. Or y'know a reason to give yourself might be, i'm really gtting into photoshop i need to go buy a monitor! or i'm getting into premiere i need to go buy a monitor! etc. etc.


P.S. you may want someone who has a bit more authority on the subject of monitors......

 

The question is not really if the Macbook is worth it... is whether you need it. If you feel fine doing things in the macbook screen and res, why bother? I sometimes feel constrained, but I still doesn't think it merits an external monitor (and everything that comes with it - more cables, desk space taken, another power plug used up, heat, etc.) so far. Same goes for the keyboard. I think it kind of beats the concept of using a notebook - specially cause I do have a desktop machine. People which have only a notebook may feel more need to "extend" it I guess. Anyways, you can always use these with another notebook should you get tired of your macbook... BUT perhaps you could put the money to better use, say a big NAS drive. I don't know. :-D

 

The thing is I may have a spare monitor since I'll probably get a new one for the family desktop, but if the Macbook suffers poor performance when using the monitor, I don't know if I should bother.

 

One thing to remember with any current generation computer is that only a year ago most computers were single processor Pentium M's, and a lot of people were running dual monitor set ups. The second monitor shouldn't slow down the Macbook at all, it's actual a pretty powerful computer aside from the graphics card (which isn't all that bad either). With 2gb RAM you'll be fine.

 

yeah... apple lists the Macbook as being able to drive up to their 24" cinema display. I wouldn't worry about it slowing down or anything.

 

Having actually used a Macbook with an external monitor, it runs just fine up to the higher supported resolutions. (I run it at 1920x1200, and mostly it's fine, but fullscreen animations can get a little choppy sometimes)

It's definately a matter of whether you need it. If you're doing work where you feel like you need (or want) a higher resolution, or a bigger image, then sure. Else, why bother?

 

Dude... get a big LCD tv :-D

Thats worth it! I just wish I had money for one.
But otherwise, I rarely use an ext monitor. Or keyboard, the one on my MBP rocks. I do use a mouse sometimes when I play games (only half the time for WoW, don't really need it unless I'm pvping).