Buying The Best Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter
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 now, rather, it went with Mini DisplayPort on all of the latest Apple computers.
Given that Mini DisplayPort has rather rare presence, you probably cannot use your Macbook to deliver a presentation, or output your work project from Mac to another display, or share your photos to your friends or family on a bigger screen.
Although there are a few types of Mini DisplayPort adapter, it’s possibly the safest to have a Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapter, because just about every display, old or new, uses a VGA port. This runs specifically true if you need to frequently hook up your Mac laptop to a projector to deliver a presentation. While some new projectors do have HDMI or DVI ports, not all of them do, however they all employ a VGA port.
Having a Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapter, now you can easily output video from your favorite Macbook or laptop to just about any display. You could:
* Extend or mirror your workstation to a new screen;
* Give presentation to your own classmates, students or colleagues with your favorite MacBook or laptop;
* Share videos your friends on a bigger external screen or TV.
There are a few things you should think about before you decide one.
1. Does Your Computer Use Mini DisplayPort?
Many Mac users may not be sure what exactly 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 items that are employing Mini DisplayPort:
* Apple’s latest (2008 or latter) Mac laptop, 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 confirm which port you got, simply Google keywords like “Mini DisplayPort”, “Mini-DVI”, “Micro-DVI”. Since they actually have very distinct appearance, you can easily tell by comparing the photos with the video port on your computer.
2. Supported Video Specifications
A good Mini DisplayPort-VGA adapter should support 1920×1200, 1080i/p, 720p and all the SD (for example, DVD) resolutions.
It is the basics of the basics. If a Mini DisplayPort adapter is not going to support such resolution, it isn’t worth buying at all.
3. Is It Mini DisplayPort v1.1a Compliant?
You need a v1.1 compliant Mini DisplayPort adapter.
Mini DisplayPort was the Apple’s own standard. Thankfully, Apple now licenses the Mini DisplayPort for free. Later in 2009, VESA, the maker of DisplayPort specifications, has implemented Mini DisplayPort into DisplayPort v1.1a specification, and it will incorporate Mini DisplayPort in the upcoming v1.2 specification.
With the free license, other manufacturers can now make inexpensive Mini DisplayPort products. And meeting v1.1a specs makes certain your Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapter will offer the best compatibility.
4. Appearances
This is more or less of your own taste, so use your very best judges and pick one that you like, which, as an example, matches your Apple computer’s design and general looks.
Summary
A decent Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapter should 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.
If you have checked all these features when deciding which Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapter to get, you should be in good shape.
Tags: apple computers, displayport, mac laptop, macbook, macbooks