Apple loves mini stuff; it used Mini-DVI and Micro-DVI on earlier versions of Mac and MacBooks. However, for some reasons it didn’t choose Mini-HDMI this time, rather, it went with Mini DisplayPort on the latest Apple computers.
Because Mini DisplayPort has rather rare presence, it is likely you cannot use your Mac laptop to give a presentation, or output your work project from Mac to another display, or simply share your photos to your friends or family on a bigger screen.
Although there are a few types of Mini DisplayPort adapter, it’s the safest to get a Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapter, because essentially every display, old or new, has a VGA port. This is also true if you need to frequently hook up your Macbook to a projector to deliver a presentation. And some new projectors do have HDMI or DVI ports, not all of them do, nonetheless they all include a VGA port.
Having a Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapter, you can now easily output video from your favorite Macbook or laptop to just about any display. You are able to:
* Extend or mirror your favorite workstation to an alternative screen;
* Give presentation to your classmates, students or colleagues with your own MacBook or laptop;
* Share videos your friends and family on a bigger external screen or TV.
There are some things you should look at before you purchase one.
1. Does Your Computer Use Mini DisplayPort?
Some Mac users may not be sure what precisely their video port is. Is it a Mini-DVI, a Micro-DVI, or a Mini DisplayPort?
Well, currently, there is only a very short list of products that are utilizing Mini DisplayPort:
* Apple’s latest (2008 or latter) Macbook, Macbook Air, Macbook Pro 13 inch, 15 inch, and 17 inch;
* Apple’s latest (2008 or latter) Mac, Mac Pro, Mac Mini, iMac, Xserve;
* Toshiba Satellite Pro S500, Tecra M11, A11 and S11 notebooks;
* AMD Radeon HD 5870 Eyefinity 6 Edition with its 6 Mini DisplayPorts;
* Adapters and cables compatible with the above mentioned computers and displays.
To be sure which port you got, simply Google keywords like “Mini DisplayPort”, “Mini-DVI”, “Micro-DVI”. Since they do have very distinct appearance, you can easily tell by comparing the photos with the video port on your computer.
2. Supported Video Specifications
A proper Mini DisplayPort-VGA adapter should support 1920×1200, 1080i/p, 720p and all the standard-definition (for instance, DVD) resolutions.
This is the basics of the basics.
If your Mini DisplayPort adapter will not support any of these resolution, it is
not worth buying at all.
3. Is It Mini DisplayPort v1.1a Compliant?
You want a v1.1 compliant Mini DisplayPort adapter.
Mini DisplayPort was the Apple’s own standard. The good thing is, Apple now licenses the Mini DisplayPort for free. Later in 2009, VESA, the maker of DisplayPort specifications, has adopted Mini DisplayPort into DisplayPort v1.1a specification, and it will incorporate Mini DisplayPort in the future v1.2 specification.
With the free license, other manufacturers can now make inexpensive Mini DisplayPort products. And meeting v1.1a specification makes certain your Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapter can offer the best compatibility.
4. Appearances
This is more or less of your own taste, so use your best judges and pick one that you like, which, for instance, matches your Apple computer’s tone and general style.
Summary
A decent Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapter needs to have the following elements:
* Matching your computer;
* Support all standard definition and high definition resolutions;
* Compliant with Mini DisplayPort version 1.1a specs;
* Matching your taste.
When you have checked all these features when deciding which Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapter to shop for, you should be in good shape.
Tags:
apple computers,
classmates,
displayport,
mac laptop,
macbook,
macbooks