VGA resolution of Macbook

[drake]

Can't find the answer to this. I've got a Dell 2405 widescreen that does 1920x1200, and the DVI port is already occupied by my pc. I'd like to hook the macbook into the VGA port and have it run native resolution. Can it be done, and is anyone actually doing this?

 

[robbieduncan]

Apple's tech specs say "Extended desktop and video mirroring: Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display and up to 1920 x 1200 pixels on an external display, both at millions of colors"

It does not say that this is only possible on DVI. Therefore I would assume it is capable of this on VGA as well.

 

[robbieduncan]

Scratch that. The manual says (on Page 66) "Note: Your MacBook supports external display resolutions up to 1920 x 1200 on Apple
DVI displays and up to 1600 x 1200 on VGA displays."

 

[drake]

Of course, they drop that on you after you've already purchased the macbook. I'm hoping the manual is wrong.

 

[robbieduncan]

I'm hoping the manual is wrong.

I'm fairly sure it'll be correct!

Edit to add: and you could have checked the manual before purchase, or asked Apple...

 

[plinden]

How high can your PC go with VGA? If it supports 1920x1200, why not use VGA on the PC and DVI on the Mac? (although, if you bought the Mac VGA connector, you'll have wasted $30)

 

[Felldownthewell]

Well it is not as if the MB does not support 1920x1200 at ALL. It may be irritating but you you just swap the DVI port back and forth when you want to switch machines...

 

[Mord]

it should do, my ibook did, their are apps that run custom resolutions if 1920x1200 is not on the list.

vga can do up to like 2500ish x 1400ish, apple probably dident want DVI to look weak next to it.

 

[robbieduncan]

DVI is digital. VGA in analogue. So you need a D->A converter. The max VGA resolution will be limited by the "bandwidth" of this chip. It is possible that it cannot do more that 1600x1200 at 60Hz and Apple are not willing to drop the refresh rate below there.

Personally I'd get a 2-port DVI KVM.

 

[drake]

DVI is digital. VGA in analogue. So you need a D->A converter. The max VGA resolution will be limited by the "bandwidth" of this chip. It is possible that it cannot do more that 1600x1200 at 60Hz and Apple are not willing to drop the refresh rate below there.

Personally I'd get a 2-port DVI KVM.

Did a search, all the ones I found said "Up to 1600x1200 video resolution", and were expensive.

 

[robbieduncan]

Did a search, all the ones I found said "Up to 1600x1200 video resolution", and were expensive.

Define "expensive"

This for example is a 2-port DVI KVM that supports 1900x1200 and "only" costs $180.

 

[drake]

Define "expensive"

This for example is a 2-port DVI KVM that supports 1900x1200 and "only" costs $180.

Might have some trouble getting one of these where I live (Canada) and I'd suspect if I could, it would be more in the neigbourhood of $300cdn. I'd say that's expensive. Under $100 is not expensive. If I was going to pay $300, I'd just buy another monitor.