Does all external monitor work with macbooks? Does it only accept HDMI? Is that the best choice?
Sorry for a dumb question, just switched from pc
Sorry for a dumb question, just switched from pc
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
External Monitor
- Thread starter iNeedToDoHw
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Any monitor will work, but generally it's best to use DVI unless you need audio and video in the same cable. Then it's best to use HDMI.
I am going to buy the be new 13" Air when it comes out and i want an external monitor for use at home.
Are there some things i need to know/consider? Like screenresolution, adapters etc? Is it plug and play or do i need to set the resolution everytime i connect it to the monitor?
Thanks in advance
Are there some things i need to know/consider? Like screenresolution, adapters etc? Is it plug and play or do i need to set the resolution everytime i connect it to the monitor?
Thanks in advance
I have connected a 13" MBA to a 24" monitor with a mini-display port to DVI adaptor, and to a 55" HD LCD TV with a mini-display port to HDMI adaptor ( with audio), and it just works.
The external display is automatically set up as an extended desktop, at it's native resolution.
The external display is automatically set up as an extended desktop, at it's native resolution.
I am going to buy the be new 13" Air when it comes out and i want an external monitor for use at home.
Are there some things i need to know/consider? Like screenresolution, adapters etc? Is it plug and play or do i need to set the resolution everytime i connect it to the monitor?
Thanks in advance
Almost all Macs use the Mini Display Port connector. You have a couple of options when paring it to a monitor. You can purchase a relatively inexpensive ($10-$30) adapter to go from MDP to the more common DVI (Not a bad purchase anyway). You could also find a monitor that uses the full Size Display port and use a simple Mini to full size cable ($10-30 depending on length). Finally, you could purchase a display that accepts Mini Display Port (such as the 24" or 27" Apple Cinema Displays).
Any monitor you buy will work with the MBA as far as resolutions are concerned. The 27" or 30" monitors from the manufacturers only go up to about 2560x1600 pixels. The graphics card in the current Air can handle that without issue and the new intel GPU in the rumored upcoming Air should be able to handle it as well (the current 13" MBP has similar specs to the rumored air and is able to handle that size display). Most monitors in the 22-24" range are only about 1920x1200 pixels, so you'll have plenty of graphics horsepower to run both the internal and external monitors.
Larger displays, such as flat screen TVs only have resolutions up to 1920x1080, and will be fine if you decide to hook your Air up to one. A simple Mini Display Port to HDMI adapter will be fine (Again, a good purchase, just make sure you buy one with audio support).
Finally, Apple Computers are great when it comes to plug and play monitors. Your computer should choose the best resolution for the display automatically when it's plugged in.
How does it look on the 55" TV? I'm guessing it might be fairly pixelated, right? (I too have a 55" HD LCD so I'm curious)
Its not great, mine is hooked up to a 42" and it's ok, but not what i'd call sharp when using it as a desktop, however when playing a 1080p movie it's fine actually.