Connecting Macbook Air to Cinema Display

[skeen]

Hey all,

My Macbook Air is as follows:

11-inch : 64GB
1.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor
2GB memory
64GB flash storage1
NVIDIA GeForce 320M graphics

And here's a pic of the cable on my cinema display: http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/594/photo1oh.jpg/

How can I best connect the two?

 

[simsaladimbamba]

You need a Dual-Link DVI adapter:

Mini DisplayPort (MDP)

Mini DisplayPort is the current digital standard on all current Macs to transfer video to an external display or TV. It has been introduced in 10/2008 with the release of the Unibody MacBook and MacBook Pros and has gradually been adopted on all other Macs.
MDP is capable of transmitting video, and since 2010, audio too. MDP is a miniaturised version of DisplayPort. It is also license free and can support resolutions of up to 2560 x 1600, which Mini DVI and Micro DVI are not able to do.

MDP adapters can be bought online from:

MDP to VGA adapter from Apple
MDP to DVI adapter from Apple
MDP to Dual-Link-DVI adapter from Apple

Moshi Mini DP to HDMI Adapter with Audio Support adapter from the Apple Online Store

Mini DisplayPort + USB to Dual-Link DVI adapter from Monoprice
Mini DisplayPort to DVI adapter from Monoprice
Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapter from Monoprice
Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter from Monoprice - *NOTE* This product will support audio on Mac computers capable of outputting audio through mini-displayport.
Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter from Monoprice - *NOTE* This product does NOT support audio for Macs that outputs audio through the Mini DisplayPort.
Mini Displayport Male and USB Male/Toslink Audio to HDMI Female Converting adapter from Monoprice
Mini Displayport Male and USB Male Audio to HDMI Female Converting adapter from Monoprice - *NOTE* Will only support 2 channel stereo. Will not support 5.1 Dolby Surround like the above adapter.

Mini DisplayPort to Mini DisplayPort Cables from Monoprice
Mini DisplayPort to VGA Cables from Monoprice
Mini DisplayPort to DVI Cables from Monoprice
Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Cables from Monoprice​

Also of interest: "What is "Mini DisplayPort"? Is it an industry-standard? How is it different from or better than Mini-DVI and Micro-DVI?"
​

 

[skeen]

Thanks so much - but wow...that's an awfully expensive cable.

 

[Aboo]

If you have the 20" ACD listed in your sig you don't need the dual link cable. Just a regular mini display port to DVI cable available for around 29 bucks from Apple.

 

[KylePowers]

I didn't actually check myself, but I always get all sorts of wires from http://monoprice.com ... they're amazing!

 

[simsaladimbamba]

If you have the 20" ACD listed in your sig you don't need the dual link cable. Just a regular mini display port to DVI cable available for around 29 bucks from Apple.

That is correct, I was not thinking clearly when I replied, and mistook the USB and Firewire cable for the Dual Link DVI setup, which is only needed for the 30" ACD.
Any good MDP to DVI adapter will work then, Monoprice can be used for cheap ones.

 

[skeen]

If you have the 20" ACD listed in your sig you don't need the dual link cable. Just a regular mini display port to DVI cable available for around 29 bucks from Apple.

Phew - good news! Question: why are those other cables attached to the display then?

Thanks all..

 

[simsaladimbamba]

Phew - good news! Question: why are those other cables attached to the display then?

Thanks all..

If you look at the back of the display, you see two Firewire 400 ports and two USB 2.0 ports, which act as hub, but only if you connect the additional USB and Firewire cables to your Mac.

Apple Cinema Display User’s Guide

 

[skeen]

If you look at the back of the display, you see two Firewire 400 ports and two USB 2.0 ports, which act as hub, but only if you connect the additional USB and Firewire cables to your Mac.

Image

Apple Cinema Display User’s Guide

Duh, of course! Cheers