Old Micro-DVI MBA -> New Mini DisplayPort Apple Displays

[sydsamcan]

I don't see an adapter for MicroDVI -> mini DisplayPort so will we have to go:

Macbook -> Micro-DVI to DVI adapter -> DVI to Mini DisplayPort adapter -> Display?

A few too many adapters for my liking.


Its frustrating Apple didn't include the mini DisplayPort in the original MBA. I hope the flip door can be upgraded.

 

[Lyrrad]

I don't think DVI to Mini -DP adapters exist. Right now, the new display only supports the new MacBooks released today.

 

[laidbackliam]

methinks that engadget mentioned something earlier that added in mini dvi to mini display port adapters, but i can't be sure. head over there to check.

was tuaw. heres the link

 

[sydsamcan]

Not listed

I asked a few employees at the Apple store and they all said nothing has been announced but they will definitely make one. I fear this wont happen but can't see any reason why the new flip door on the new MBA couldn't be installed and connected to the logic board of an old MBA... as seen here:

http://gizmodo.com/photogallery/Macbookairteardown/1000560560

 

[aleksandra.]

I don't see an adapter for MicroDVI -> mini DisplayPort so will we have to go:

Macbook -> Micro-DVI to DVI adapter -> DVI to Mini DisplayPort adapter -> Display?

A few too many adapters for my liking.


Its frustrating Apple didn't include the mini DisplayPort in the original MBA. I hope the flip door can be upgraded.

If I had an Air and wanted an external display from Apple, I'd go for 23" ACD (same price), or waited till January to see what they do with ACDs.

Reasons:
1. It's higher quality IMO, even though older (same resolution on a slightly smaller screen);
2. MBA used to come with micro-DVI to DVI adapter, so no problem there;
3. It's matte;
4. It looks better... it suits Air better... even if it hasn't been refreshed for a long time!

It's just my opinion... If you want a new display with its looks, gloss, power adapter and two additional USBs, you might really have a problem - Air is the only laptop ever with micro-DVI as far as I know. Also if they're no adapters to mini-DP, this new display would be unusable with anything but new Apple notebooks (no possibility of any other company providing adapters, since mini-DP is most likely Apple's proprietary connector).

 

[Kwill]

I've been Googling and OP appears to be correct. There is no Mini DisplayPort to Micro-DVI adaptor YET.

Apple Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adaptor
Apple Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter

 

[Fonzijr1964]

yep

and to support of iMac or MacPro eather
from the apple website:

"System Requirements:

MacBook, MacBook Air, or MacBook Pro with Mini DisplayPort"

 

[vamaclover]

waiting on a the new monitor - keeping my mbb

The elegance of the mag safe/video/usb cabling is compelling, but totally lost if we have to cobble on 2 adapters to work with the old macbooks. Seems like a nice, small, clean female Mini DisplayPort to male mini-DVI could be easily engineered. I would have pre-ordered the Cinema Display on impulse, but the lack of this adapter has soured my enthusiasm. I'm not overboard enough to replace my 2 month old mbb with a new macbook if that is what Apple is banking on. Waiting to see if they come to their senses...

 

[Cynicalone]

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The new ACD wasn't really meant to work with the Air. How would you plug in the mag safe and the USB with the Mini Display Port at the same time? They are on opposite sides of the laptop.

 

[vamaclover]

mini vs micro (air vs. other 'older' macbooks)

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The new ACD wasn't really meant to work with the Air. How would you plug in the mag safe and the USB with the Mini Display Port at the same time? They are on opposite sides of the laptop.

good point. I was just about to mention that we are actually talking about 2 different adapters here micro-DVI on Air and mini-DVI on non-Air macbooks. Micro may not make sense as cynicalone points out, but I still want the Mini...

 

[Fonzijr1964]

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The new ACD wasn't really meant to work with the Air. How would you plug in the mag safe and the USB with the Mini Display Port at the same time? They are on opposite sides of the laptop.

good point. I was just about to mention that we are actually talking about 2 different adapters here micro-DVI on Air and mini-DVI on non-Air macbooks. Micro may not make sense as cynicalone points out, but I still want the Mini...

It is universal. ie it fits it look on the website at the pics it has the sideways magsafe and the new MBA has a Mini display port

 

[Cynicalone]

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It is universal. ie it fits it look on the website at the pics it has the sideways magsafe and the new MBA has a Mini display port

The problem I'm talking about is the MagSafe is on the opposite side of the laptop from the other connection ports.

 

[NeoMayhem]

I dont think there ever will be an adapter to go FROM dvi to displayport. That is like going from vga to dvi. You can go one way, but not the other.

 

[Fonzijr1964]

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The problem I'm talking about is the MagSafe is on the opposite side of the laptop from the other connection ports.

I know

i think its long enough

 

[gregtmlloyd]

Did anyone with an old MBA come up with an answer to this?

from reading the thread the possible options seem to be

1) upgrade flip door on old MBA (with new flip door from new MBA)

> thereby giving the old MBA a Mini DisplayPort


2) someone releases a micro-DVI to Mini DisplayPort adapter

> but as pointed out by NeoMayhem on Oct 21, 2008 08:48 PM, this may be like trying to change sausage back in to pig



I want to buy a new 17" MBP and give my wife the old MBA and have both of them use the 24" display from time to time...

Any ideas?

 

[rhyx]

from reading the thread the possible options seem to be

1) upgrade flip door on old MBA (with new flip door from new MBA)

> thereby giving the old MBA a Mini DisplayPort


2) someone releases a micro-DVI to Mini DisplayPort adapter

> but as pointed out by NeoMayhem on Oct 21, 2008 08:48 PM, this may be like trying to change sausage back in to pig




I want to buy a new 17" MBP and give my wife the old MBA and have both of them use the 24" display from time to time...

Any ideas?

Not going to be possible with the current state of adapters. You are better off buying a non-Apple LCD. Then you will be able to connect both laptops.

 

[fyrefly]

Not going to be possible with the current state of adapters. You are better off buying a non-Apple LCD. Then you will be able to connect both laptops.

I'll go one further and say there's never gonna be a solution short of some ridiculous (probably only 1/2 working) jury rig of cables/adapters...

And I'm really dubious that a flip door upgrade could be performed, as the two MBAs have different motherboards with different chipsets, so not sure the different doors would be compatible.

There are lots of 24" displays with nice panels that will connect to both laptops and cost much less than the Apple solutions. (24"er PVAs from Dell in the $399-499 range that also have USB hubs, etc... ) Apple's new LED Cinema is a nice elegant solution, but it's not at all the only one.

 

[fteoath64]

from reading the thread the possible options seem to be

1) upgrade flip door on old MBA (with new flip door from new MBA)

> thereby giving the old MBA a Mini DisplayPort

Any ideas?

This NOT going to work!. The POS Intel X3100 chip does not support DisplayPort natively, it is missing some silicon to drive the micro-packet Dp signals. The Nv9400M supports DP in its integrated silicon.

Best to get a non-Apple LCD like the Dells or Samsungs, Lacie. That way out older legacy machines can inter-work in whichever combination we wanted. Becuase we own all these things and wanted them to work the way WE want.

 

[gregtmlloyd]

Thanks..

I'll look for a 24" LCD from another supplier....

 

[atlona1]

Atlona Technologies Releases the AT-DP200, DVI to Mini DisplayPort converter for Nearly Every Mac on the Market

Atlona Technologies releases DVI to Mini DisplayPort converter designed to allow use of new Mini-DisplayPort enabled monitors (such as Apple 24’’) on DVI machines

Apple users who purchased their computers before 2009 are running into a wall when considering purchasing an Apple Cinema 24’’ or any of the new Mini DisplayPort monitors. Mac forums all over the internet are buzzing with angry users all trying to verify if DVI is not compatible with Mini DisplayPort. DVI is not capable of putting out DisplayPort signal, making it impossible to use any of the new displays offered by manufacturers such as Apple, Dell, CinemaView with DVI computers. Going from Mini DisplayPort to DVI is simple, and many products are already on the market that allow this conversion, however there are no products on the market that allow the opposite conversion, until now.

Atlona Technologies has recently developed the first and only conversion box that will convert DVI to Mini DisplayPort while maintaining the displays optimal resolution and HDCP compatibility. Atlona’s new AT-DP200 inputs DVI and outputs Mini DisplayPort signal while passing along all EDID and HDCP information. This device converts while allowing your computer to scale to the optimal resolution offered by your display including 1920 by 1200 or 1280 by 800. The AT-DP200 was put through extensive testing in Apple’s compatibility lab, putting it up against every single Apple computer with a DVI port, and every monitor featuring Mini DisplayPort. Atlona Technologies also put this product through PC interoperability testing with all standard DVI video cards. This device will allow use of any Mini Display port product with and DVI graphics card, meaning the new 24” Cinema Displays from Apple can be used by users with legacy Macs.

Atlona Technologies manufactures solutions based connectivity products. They are among the leading manufacturers of audio video accessories and converters in the US. Atlona’s full product line covers almost every conceivable solution that one may face in any AV system. "This new product will boost Apple sales for their 24 inch monitors,” says Atlona Product Manager Michael Khain, “where users who purchased before the format change were previously unable to upgrade to the cinema display, now with this new converter their market just got that much bigger.”

The new AT-DP200 DVI to Mini DisplayPort falls right in line with the rest of the bleeding edge products designed to keep the AV world connected. The new AT-DP200 will start shipping mid of September with an MSRP of S179.00.

 

[illegallydead]

Atlona Technologies Releases the AT-DP200, DVI to Mini DisplayPort converter for Nearly Every Mac on the Market

Atlona Technologies releases DVI to Mini DisplayPort converter designed to allow use of new Mini-DisplayPort enabled monitors (such as Apple 24’’) on DVI machines

Apple users who purchased their computers before 2009 are running into a wall when considering purchasing an Apple Cinema 24’’ or any of the new Mini DisplayPort monitors. Mac forums all over the internet are buzzing with angry users all trying to verify if DVI is not compatible with Mini DisplayPort. DVI is not capable of putting out DisplayPort signal, making it impossible to use any of the new displays offered by manufacturers such as Apple, Dell, CinemaView with DVI computers. Going from Mini DisplayPort to DVI is simple, and many products are already on the market that allow this conversion, however there are no products on the market that allow the opposite conversion, until now.

Atlona Technologies has recently developed the first and only conversion box that will convert DVI to Mini DisplayPort while maintaining the displays optimal resolution and HDCP compatibility. Atlona’s new AT-DP200 inputs DVI and outputs Mini DisplayPort signal while passing along all EDID and HDCP information. This device converts while allowing your computer to scale to the optimal resolution offered by your display including 1920 by 1200 or 1280 by 800. The AT-DP200 was put through extensive testing in Apple’s compatibility lab, putting it up against every single Apple computer with a DVI port, and every monitor featuring Mini DisplayPort. Atlona Technologies also put this product through PC interoperability testing with all standard DVI video cards. This device will allow use of any Mini Display port product with and DVI graphics card, meaning the new 24” Cinema Displays from Apple can be used by users with legacy Macs.

Atlona Technologies manufactures solutions based connectivity products. They are among the leading manufacturers of audio video accessories and converters in the US. Atlona’s full product line covers almost every conceivable solution that one may face in any AV system. "This new product will boost Apple sales for their 24 inch monitors,” says Atlona Product Manager Michael Khain, “where users who purchased before the format change were previously unable to upgrade to the cinema display, now with this new converter their market just got that much bigger.”

The new AT-DP200 DVI to Mini DisplayPort falls right in line with the rest of the bleeding edge products designed to keep the AV world connected. The new AT-DP200 will start shipping mid of September with an MSRP of S179.00.

OK, so there is a solution, but you are an IDIOT if you buy it. For the love of god, if you actually think that a $179 adapter to enable you to use an already overpriced display is worth it, than you OBVIOUSLY have the disposable income to be able to just go ahead and buy a new Air, especially since they have dropped in price since this issue was originally discussed.

Thanks for putting this (ad?) for this product up, but once again, this is a "solution" to a problem that should not exist, and if you actually are having this problem, well, and is all I can say (edit: oh, and the following...)

 

[kntgsp]

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The problem I'm talking about is the MagSafe is on the opposite side of the laptop from the other connection ports.

It works, someone posted a thread just today with pics of the setup. It's long enough and leaves the fat part where it forks sitting behind the laptop instead of next to it.

But as to the OP. I don't think the Intel GMA chipset can drive a 1920x1200 external display. And even if it could, it would be really laggy. The new Airs with the 9400M can do it without issue though as it's the same 9400M GPU that drives the 17'' 1920x1200 display in the MBP when the dedicated graphics are not enabled. Works great and without any lag or hiccup with video.

 

[illegallydead]

It works, someone posted a thread just today with pics of the setup. It's long enough and leaves the fat part where it forks sitting behind the laptop instead of next to it.

But as to the OP. I don't think the Intel GMA chipset can drive a 1920x1200 external display. And even if it could, it would be really laggy. The new Airs with the 9400M can do it without issue though as it's the same 9400M GPU that drives the 17'' 1920x1200 display in the MBP when the dedicated graphics are not enabled. Works great and without any lag or hiccup with video.

The GMA 950 can drive a 1920x1200 display. It may start to get laggy at that point, but it can. Mine (in a Mid-'07 MB) is driving a 1920x1080 display all day long and is not laggy in the slightest. I am sure that the MBA, though slower all around, could be capable of handling it.

 

[Wombert]

It's not possible through an adapter. And it never will be. DisplayPort is a completely new, packet-based protocol. DVI is digital, but like HDMI (which is just an evolution of DVI) and, before them, VGA, it still works by sending individual rows of pixels to a display, just like old CRT screens needed it. DisplayPort is completely different and thus boasts some nice advantages. Among other things, it will be possible to chain monitors together to get multi-screen setups over a single cable.

Oh and that converter box there is expensive, technically not an adapter, and probably going to lag like hell.

 

[jdiamond]

Initial round of adapters expensive, low resolution...

I don't think DVI to Mini -DP adapters exist. Right now, the new display only supports the new MacBooks released today.

As of mid September 2010, I finally found the first advertised DVI to Display Port adapters, so older Macs like mine can use the new display port Cinema Displays. Unfortunately, they are expensive ($150 for an adapter!), require USB power (they're an active device), bulky (they weigh 2 pounds), but the one total killer is that none support higher than 1920x1200 resolution, which on the 27" monitor must be further reduced to just 1280x720 to fit the aspect ratio.

Guess I'll have to roll the dice and buy a Dell monitor for my 17" Macbook Pro. What was the first year that Macbook Pro's even came with a display port? Wasn't it 2010 models?