New MAC user help with monitor please

[tesiab]

Hi All
I'm a DOS/PC person for many years. Now with an iPad and iPhone. Just purchased a G4 for 100 bucks just to get my feet wet in the Mac world. It has a HUGE 19" sony CRT monitor, a real monster. I have an HP vs15 flatscreen montior that I'd like to hook up. Is it compatible? If not, is there some sort of adapter? I'm excited about getting into the Mac world. The Mac Air can't be far behind!

Thanks!
Tesia

 

[Loa]

Hello,

A G4 will give you a taste, but a very old taste... Get that Air soon!

For the monitor, just look behind the Mac to see if the plug fits. There are quite a lot of G4s, and they have a range of monitor ports.

If you want more info, we need to know exactly which mac you have, and what types of plugs your monitors have (VGA, DVI, ADC, ...)

Loa

 

[Neodym]

VGA: 3-rows, 15 pins in total. Plugs usually in blue color.
DVI: 2 rows of pins with a dedicated "+"-type array on one side, flat sides. Plugs usually in white color
ADC: Similar to DVI, but with rounded sides.

Your CRT most probably has a VGA connector. If it is connected with one cable directly to the computer, the G4 probably has VGA out as well (check if there is another connector next to the currently used monitor connector). If the monitor is connected via an adapter, you probably have DVI or ADC on the G4.

Recent flat screen monitors usually offer a DVI connector, sometimes also VGA. For ADC there are inexpensive adapters available for both DVI and VGA.

Try to go for the DVI connection, as VGA usually offers an inferior picture quality.