4 Facts to consider When Buying A Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter

21 Jul, 2010  No Comment

Apple loves mini stuff; it used Mini-DVI and Micro-DVI on previous versions of Mac and MacBooks. However, for some reasons it didn’t choose Mini-HDMI this time around, rather, it went with Mini DisplayPort on the latest Apple computers.

For the reason that Mini DisplayPort has rather uncommon presence, you probably cannot use your Mac laptop to give a presentation, or output your work project from Mac to a new display, or just share your photos to your friends or family on a bigger screen.

Although there are a few types of Mini DisplayPort adapter, it’s probably the safest to get yourself a Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapter, because just about every display, old or new, uses a VGA port. This is also true if you need to frequently connect your Mac laptop to a projector to deliver a presentation. Whereas some new projectors will have HDMI or DVI ports, not all of them do, nevertheless they all make use of a VGA port.

Having a Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapter, you can now easily output video from your favorite Macbook or laptop to any type of display. You are able to:

* Extend or mirror your favorite workstation to an alternative screen;

* Give presentation to your favorite class mates, students or colleagues with your MacBook or laptop;

* Share videos your friends on a bigger external screen or TV.

There are several things you should look at before buying one.

1. Does Your Computer Use Mini DisplayPort?

Many Mac users are not sure precisely what their video port is. Is it a Mini-DVI, a Micro-DVI, or a Mini DisplayPort?

Well, at this moment, there is only a very short list of items that are utilizing Mini DisplayPort:

* Apple’s latest (2008 or latter) Macbook, Macbook Air, Mac laptop 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 that will work with the above computers and displays.

To confirm which port you have, simply Google keywords like “Mini DisplayPort”, “Mini-DVI”, “Micro-DVI”. Since they actually have very distinct appearance, you can easily tell by comparing the pictures with the video port on your computer.

2. Supported Video Specifications

A high-quality Mini DisplayPort-VGA adapter should support 1920×1200, 1080i/p, 720p and all the SD (e . g ., DVD) resolutions.

This is the basics of the basics. If your Mini DisplayPort adapter won’t support any of these resolution, it’s 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 specification. Thankfully, Apple now licenses the Mini DisplayPort for free. Later in 2009, VESA, the maker of DisplayPort standards, has implemented Mini DisplayPort into DisplayPort v1.1a specification, and it will feature Mini DisplayPort in the future v1.2 specification.

With the free license, other companies can make affordable Mini DisplayPort products. And meeting v1.1a specs makes certain your Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapter can offer the best compatibility.

4. Appearances

This is more or less of your individual taste, so use your best judges and pick one that you like, which, for instance, matches your Apple computer’s color and general appearance.

Summary

A decent Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapter must have these features:

* Matching your computer;

* Support all standard definition and high definition resolutions;

* Compliant with Mini DisplayPort version 1.1a specs;

* Matching your preferences.

For those who have checked all these features when deciding which Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapter to buy, you should be in good shape.

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