Difference between revisions of "How to connect your Mac laptop to a classroom projector"

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Display Preferences for a [[Mac]] allows you to change your computer's resolution (pixel width/height) and connect to a projector or TV.
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In order for you to be able to use a Mac with a classroom projector, you will need to have a dongle. If you don't own a dongle, you can check one out from the [http://www.winona.edu/it/tsc.asp Tech Support front desk].  
  
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[[File:macdisplaysettings1.jpg|500px]]
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This is a Dongle:
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[[File:VGA_Dongle.jpg | 200px |]]
  
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To locate it, you will first need to select the [[Apple]] icon in the top left corner of your screen and go to '''[[System Preferences]]''', then click the '''Display''' icon.
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Once you get to the classroom, turn on the projector, and wake up the laptop.
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Connect the VGA cable to the VGA port on the dongle and then plug the dongle into the thunderbolt port on the laptop.
  
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==How to Connect to a Projector or TV/Computer Screen with Your Mac==
 
  
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1. While you are in '''Display''' settings in '''System Preferences''', plug your Mac into your display device (projector, tv, computer monitor, etc). MacBook Pros and MacBook Airs require a MiniDisplay Port to [[VGA]] adapter in order to connect to displays. If you do not have one, you may purchase one online or at an electronics retail outlet, or you may check one out from [[Tech Support]] or the [[WSU]] library for a week.
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This is what the VGA Cable looks like:
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[[File: VGAMale.jpg | 200px |]]
  
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2. Locate the '''Arrangement''' tab in the '''Display''' window. Click on it.
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The Thunderbolt port on the MacBook Air is located on the right side of the laptop. It looks like this:
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[[File:ThunderboltPortMacBookAir.jpg | 300px |]]
  
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[[File:macdisplaysettings2.jpg|500px]]
 
  
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[[File:Mac_Powerpoint_Presenter_View.png|thumb|300px|An example of Presenter View in PowerPoint 2015 for Mac]]
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Once the dongle is connected to the laptop, the screen should flash black then reappear. If nothing happens or nothing is being projected unplug the dongle from the laptop, check the connection to the VGA cable, and plug the dongle back into the laptop.  
  
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3. Your Mac should automatically have its settings to extend your desktop to the connected display. If you want to learn more about the extended desktop,  you can read the following bullets, otherwise go to step 4 if you would like to know how to duplicate your desktop to the connected display. You may also run things such as [[PowerPoint]]s with Presenter Tools or Presenter View to make your presentations easier. If you run PowerPoints in this manner, you will be able to see the slides coming up and how much time you have been running your presentation. It is very useful!
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==Display Options==
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When the laptop is being projected, you have two different options for projection.
  
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*The extended desktop allows you to drag windows into each display. For example, if you had an internet browser open and you wanted to watch it at the same time while doing something else, if you dragged it off screen and put it into the connected display's screen, you would be able to do that.
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*The first is an extended desktop. The extended desktop allows you to drag windows into each display. This works if you want to be able to show a window on the projector but also be able to work on another window without it being displayed. To projected with an extended desktop, click and drag windows to the right to project them.
  
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*If you would like to place your desktop and connected display in a certain order, you can drag the windows (shown as icons) in any order you desire. For example, if you would want your Mac's screen to be on the left and the display screen to move to the right (if you were moving your mouse from screen to screen), you could drag the image for your Mac's screen to the left and it would automatically create that preference for you.
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*The second option is a mirrored display. The mirror display duplicates the laptop display on the projector.  
  
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4. If you want your connected display to duplicate what is on the screen of your laptop for the purposes of things such as playing videos, instructing, or just showing websites to other people, you will need to check mark '''Mirror Displays''' in your '''Display''' settings. Everything you have on your Macbook's screen should be mirrored in the connected display you are using.
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To set up a mirrored display, make sure your laptop is connected to the projector and open '''System Preferences''', then go to '''Displays'''.
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[[File: MirrorDisplay1.jpg| 400px |]]
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*Click on the tab titled '''Arrangement''' then check '''Mirror Displays'''
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[[File: MirrorDisplay2.jpg| 400px |]]
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*When your displays are mirrored, the window will change to this:
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[[File: MirrorDisplay3.png| 400px |]]
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You can also change your display ratio to make it easier to work from your laptop.
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*Go back to the Display menu by click the '''Display''' tab.
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[[File: MirrorDisplay4.jpg| 400px |]]
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*In the drop down menu for '''Optimize for''', select '''Built-in Display'''. This will adjust your display ratio to your regular laptop display ratio.  
  
 
[[Category: Instructions]] [[Category: FAQ]] [[Category: Mac]]
 
[[Category: Instructions]] [[Category: FAQ]] [[Category: Mac]]

Revision as of 16:49, 2 December 2015

In order for you to be able to use a Mac with a classroom projector, you will need to have a dongle. If you don't own a dongle, you can check one out from the Tech Support front desk.

This is a Dongle: VGA Dongle.jpg

Once you get to the classroom, turn on the projector, and wake up the laptop. Connect the VGA cable to the VGA port on the dongle and then plug the dongle into the thunderbolt port on the laptop.


This is what the VGA Cable looks like: VGAMale.jpg

The Thunderbolt port on the MacBook Air is located on the right side of the laptop. It looks like this: ThunderboltPortMacBookAir.jpg


Once the dongle is connected to the laptop, the screen should flash black then reappear. If nothing happens or nothing is being projected unplug the dongle from the laptop, check the connection to the VGA cable, and plug the dongle back into the laptop.

Display Options

When the laptop is being projected, you have two different options for projection.

  • The first is an extended desktop. The extended desktop allows you to drag windows into each display. This works if you want to be able to show a window on the projector but also be able to work on another window without it being displayed. To projected with an extended desktop, click and drag windows to the right to project them.
  • The second option is a mirrored display. The mirror display duplicates the laptop display on the projector.

To set up a mirrored display, make sure your laptop is connected to the projector and open System Preferences, then go to Displays.

MirrorDisplay1.jpg

  • Click on the tab titled Arrangement then check Mirror Displays

MirrorDisplay2.jpg

  • When your displays are mirrored, the window will change to this:

MirrorDisplay3.png


You can also change your display ratio to make it easier to work from your laptop.

  • Go back to the Display menu by click the Display tab.

MirrorDisplay4.jpg

  • In the drop down menu for Optimize for, select Built-in Display. This will adjust your display ratio to your regular laptop display ratio.
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