How robust is the physical TB connection?

[nightfly13]

I'm planning to sell my 1,1 Mac Pro and upgrade to an iMac. I don't need massive power (only have a Mac Pro for its upgradeability and capability to support 4 displays). I plan to run my 30" Dell monitor + the iMac most of the time, but I'll also run a HD projector approximately 3 times a week.

Here's my dilema: do I spent the extra money for the 27" to get an extra TB connection so I don't have to hot-swap the 30" for the projector 3 times a week.. would that continual wear and tear be problematic? The dual-link DVI switches I've seen are expensive, $350 and up (and seem to share 1 monitor with 2 systems, not 2 screens with 1 system), so might as well get the 27" iMac. There won't be a time when I need both the 30" and the projector simultaneously, so I'm thinking to go cheaper but don't know if that's a long-term solution.

Input appreciated.

 

[miles01110]

If it's anything like the MDP connection it's very solid. Almost too solid...

 

[DisMyMac]

For any port that you're going to be swapping frequently, buy the shortest extension available (or even a hub) and leave it in the computer.

I wish more connectors used clips instead of relying on the connection itself.

 

[tsugaru]

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For any port that you're going to be swapping frequently, buy the shortest extension available (or even a hub) and leave it in the computer.

I wish more connectors used clips instead of relying on the connection itself.

True. However USB is fairly solid without needing any extra clamps.

 

[Farthen]

I wish more connectors used clips instead of relying on the connection itself.

Clips have other problems. They break very easily if you aren't *super* careful with your cables and wrap them in a velvet cloth or something similar

 

[omvs]

If you're worried about stressing the port on the iMac, can you hook the projector into the mdp->duallink-dvi adapter (I assume you'll need one for your 30")

I've done a fair number of swaps on my macbook pro, and the connection feels very solid.


One other noteworth items - once in a while I seem to get a bit of 'snow' on dark sections when using the MDP->dual link converters. This occurs on both my mac-mini->HP 30" and my macbook pro -> ACD 30". Never happened when I drove the HP or ACD directly from a dual-link dvi card, so my suspicion is its coming from the adapter(s).

 

[nightfly13]

If you're worried about stressing the port on the iMac, can you hook the projector into the mdp->duallink-dvi adapter (I assume you'll need one for your 30")

I've done a fair number of swaps on my macbook pro, and the connection feels very solid.


One other noteworth items - once in a while I seem to get a bit of 'snow' on dark sections when using the MDP->dual link converters. This occurs on both my mac-mini->HP 30" and my macbook pro -> ACD 30". Never happened when I drove the HP or ACD directly from a dual-link dvi card, so my suspicion is its coming from the adapter(s).

Good thought, here. I can use the same dual-link MDP-DVI adapter and swap the DVI cable, rather than swap two adapters. Neither solution is very elegant, the 27" is rather attractive. Thanks for the input!