[Question] MBA 13" 2011 w/ Apple LCD Cinema Display

[Vijay Pather]

Hi,

I am thinking about purchasing the following for university this year:

MBA 13inch (2011)
2.13Ghz
256Gb SSD
4Gb DDR3 Ram

I had a question for anyone who has used this with one of the apple LCD displays as the salesperson at the apple store didn't have any information for me.

As you see the "megasafe adapter" for the power, mini display port and USB are on opposing sides. Will the cables now reach if I wanted to plug it into the cinema display?

I know the MBA has all the plug ins required to be compatible, but if i am moving the cables that are banded together from on side of the laptop to the other, they may not reach.

Is it possible for the 13"? Also has anyone actually used this setup and do you think it is worth it, ie: is the display good.

I aim to take the laptop to university then come home, plug it in to the display and use a mouse and keyboard almost as if it was a normal PC.

All comments / help is appreciated.

Thank you.

 

[DudeMartin]

Mba 2011?

 

[Vijay Pather]

Mba 2011?

Macbook Air 2011 Model.

 

[SR71]

Macbook Air 2011 Model.

I think you're confusing the late 2010 model as the 2011 model.

 

[uniforms]

I have the 24" version of the display and have had both airs. It works flawlessly. You will be so happy with that set up. I say go for it. Good thing you are getting the ultimate air. That extra ram and speed really make it one of the best portables on the market. Good luck

 

[Vijay Pather]

I have the 24" version of the display and have had both airs. It works flawlessly. You will be so happy with that set up. I say go for it. Good thing you are getting the ultimate air. That extra ram and speed really make it one of the best portables on the market. Good luck

Hi,

I know that it will work in terms of the display but I would like to demonstrate something to you.

See how the power and the USB are together on one side and the Mini display port is on the other side?

Now have a look at the LCD cinema display:

Will that cable be able to reach across both sides of the macbook air?

Thanks for your advice however!

I think you're confusing the late 2010 model as the 2011 model.

Hi,

Yes I am referring to the late 2010 model however is there any difference? It's not like apple are releasing a new version of the MBA this year and I am purchasing it in 2011.

 

[Lord Appleseed]

It works but it doesn't look as nice.

Check the bottom of this page for a pic: http://arstechnica.com/apple/guides/2010/10/116-macbook-air-ars-answers-your-burning-questions.ars/2

 

[Vijay Pather]

It works but it doesn't look as nice.

Check the bottom of this page for a pic: http://arstechnica.com/apple/guides/2010/10/116-macbook-air-ars-answers-your-burning-questions.ars/2

YOu may also want to check out this thread: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1077894/

Ah ok thanks so much for that been googling and couldn't find anything! Do you know if it is possible to get a mini display port extension cable?

Also - in terms of the display, I know uniforms already said it worked great, does the display look clean and sharp on the monitor is it grainy/ pixilated.

Thanks.

 

[Lord Appleseed]

Ah ok thanks so much for that been googling and couldn't find anything! Do you know if it is possible to get a mini display port extension cable?

Yes there are such cables. But I cant say anything about their quality.

Also - in terms of the display, I know uniforms already said it worked great, does the display look clean and sharp on the monitor is it grainy/ pixilated.

Thanks.

I dont know that, but since the signal is digital there shouldn't be any issues with the image quality. And last time I saw a MBP hooked up to a Cinema display in an Apple Sore it looked as good as an iMac's Screen.


Also to answer your MBA 2010/2011 question: The MBA 2010 Model stays 2010 until apple announces a new model, so no matter when you buy a MBA it will be mostly the same as at launch in late 2010. They will just ship it with the current software and include fixes for problems that occurred earlier.

 

[jmoore5196]

Yes, the cable does stretch - you can reach the MagSafe port and still have the USB and MDP cables plugged in to the other side.

The aesthetics aren't great, but the display will still work.

 

[MacModMachine]

sure it works out well.

i have a 13/256/4gb hooked to my 24" LED ACD

here are some pics