Apple loves mini stuff; it used Mini-DVI and Micro-DVI on older versions of Mac and MacBooks. However, for some reasons it didn’t choose Mini-HDMI on this occasion, rather, it went with Mini DisplayPort on the latest Apple computers.
For the reason Mini DisplayPort has rather rare presence, you probably cannot use your Mac laptop to deliver a presentation, or output your work project from Mac to a different display, and / or share your photos to your family or friends on a bigger screen.
Although there are a few types of Mini DisplayPort adapter, it’s possibly the safest to get yourself a Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapter, because pretty much every display, old or new, uses a VGA port. This is also true if you need to frequently hook up your Mac laptop to a projector to give a presentation. At the same time some new projectors do have HDMI or DVI ports, not all of them do, but they all contain a VGA port.
Having a Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapter, anyone can easily output video from your favorite Mac laptop or laptop to any kind of display. You are able to:
* Extend or mirror your own workstation to another screen;
* Give presentation to the classmates, students or colleagues with your own MacBook or laptop;
* Share videos your friends on a bigger external screen or TV.
There are several things you should look at before you decide one.
1. Does Your Computer Use Mini DisplayPort?
Some Mac users usually are not sure what exactly their video port is. Is it a Mini-DVI, a Micro-DVI, or a Mini DisplayPort?
Well, at the moment, there is only a very short list of products that are utilizing Mini DisplayPort:
* Apple’s latest (2008 or latter) Mac laptop, Macbook Air, Macbook Pro 13 inch, 15 inch, and 17 inch;
* Apple’s latest (2008 or latter) Mac, Mac Pro, Mac Mini, iMac, Xserve;
* Toshiba Satellite Pro S500, Tecra M11, A11 and S11 notebooks;
* AMD Radeon HD 5870 Eyefinity 6 Edition with its 6 Mini DisplayPorts;
* Adapters and cables compatible with the above computers and displays.
To be sure which port you’ve got, simply Google keywords like “Mini DisplayPort”, “Mini-DVI”, “Micro-DVI”. Since each one does have very distinct appearance, you can easily tell by comparing the photos with the video port on your computer.
2. Supported Video Specifications
A high quality Mini DisplayPort-VGA adapter should support 1920×1200, 1080i/p, 720p and all the standard-definition (for example, DVD) resolutions.
This is the basics of the basics. If your Mini DisplayPort adapter is not going to support such resolution, it is not worth buying at all.
3. Is It Mini DisplayPort v1.1a Compliant?
You need a v1.1 compliant Mini DisplayPort adapter.
Mini DisplayPort was the Apple’s own standard. Fortunately, Apple now licenses the Mini DisplayPort free-of-charge. Later in 2009, VESA, the maker of DisplayPort standards, has implemented Mini DisplayPort into DisplayPort v1.1a specification, and it will incorporate Mini DisplayPort in the new v1.2 specification.
With the free license, other manufacturers could make inexpensive Mini DisplayPort products. And meeting v1.1a specs makes sure your Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapter will offer the best compatibility.
4. Appearances
This is more or less of your own taste, so use your very best judges and choose one that you like, which, for example, matches your Apple computer’s color and general appearance.
Summary
A decent Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapter should have the following attributes:
* Matching your computer;
* Support all standard definition and HD resolutions;
* Compliant with Mini DisplayPort version 1.1a specifications;
* Matching your tastes.
When you have checked all these features when deciding which Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapter to buy, you should be in good shape.