The PowerBook G3 Series (M4753) computers have a built-in connector for an external VGA or SVGA monitor. An included adapter allows you to attach a standard Apple video cable.
The Video port can provide up to millions-of-colors of video output at the following resolutions: (Note: Not all monitors are capable of displaying all the resolutions listed in the following table.)
How do I use an External Monitor?
1. Shut Down or put the PowerBook to sleep.
2. Connect the Monitor to the 15-pin VGA style connector on the back of the PowerBook.
Figure 1, Monitor cable connection diagram
3. Power the Monitor On.
4. Power on or wake the PowerBook.
5. When the PowerBook has booted, choose the resolution to display on the external monitor. It will either cause the external monitor to show the video, or if in a simulscan mode, both the monitor and the PowerBook will display the same image.
6. The PowerBook G3 Series 233/512K L2, 266Mhz, and 300Mhz computers have options for scaled resolutions of the internal display at resolutions of 640 x 480 and 800 x 600. (Note: The full capabilities of the displays can be obtained only with the proper driver software. Download and install ATI Driver Update 1.4.7 if you cannot achieve the scan rates listed here when in simulscan mode.)
7. PowerBook G3 Series computers with 12.1 TFT(active matrix) support scaling at 640 x 480 but the standard is still 800 x 600.
How to read all of these choices...
Figure 2, Monitors control strip showing available resolutions after connecting an external monitor to the PowerBook.
Figure 3, Monitors control strip with no external monitors attached.
Figure 4, Monitors control strip showing all of the available resolutions after one of these computers is connected to an external monitor.
1024 x 768 (built-in) - selecting this option will cause the video to only show on a 13.3 or 14.1 inch PowerBook display. On a 12.1 inch display, this setting will be 800 x 600 (built-in).
1024 x 768, 60 Hz (simulscan) - On the PowerBooks with 13.3 or 14.1 inch displays, this setting will mirror the PowerBook display on the external monitor. On a 12.1 inch PowerBook display the option will be 800 x 600, 60 Hz (simulscan).
All of the other options in the list will display that resolution video on the external monitor and turn off the video from the PowerBook LCD.
| Display | PowerBook Display Resolution | Simulscan Resolution | PowerBook display video only resolution | Ext. monitor display video only resolutions |
| 12.1 | 800 x 600, 60 Hz | 800 x 600, 60 Hz | 800 x 600 | all others |
| 13.3 and 14.1 | 1024 x 768 | 1024 x 768 | 1024 x 768 | all others |
Not all monitors will support this complete list of resolutions. When you connect to an external display and select a resolution from the menu above, after the resolution is changed, you will see a dialog box which asks to confirm your choice. If you press return or do nothing, the resolution will be switched back to what you were running. This is to prevent you from switching to an unsupported resolution. If both displays are blank and the customer does nothing, then the PowerBook will revert to the previous resolution.
Figure 5, Monitor settings confirmation dialog box.
Note: Macintosh PowerBook G3 Series computers should not be confused with Macintosh PowerBook G3 computers. Though the names are similar, there are significant differences. For more information differentiating between the computers, read article 24604: "PowerBook G3, G3 Series: Identifying Different Versions"