What is this monitor connector type? Can I connect it to my new MB Air?
August 21, 2014 1:24 PM Subscribe
I inherited an old Dell PC, and I'd like to be able to use the monitor for a second display for my MacBook Air. The connector cable is a type I don't recognize -- it's not VGA. It looks like this.
Simple two part question here:
1) What is that?
2) Is there an adaptor to plug it into a Thunderbolt port?
Simple two part question here:
1) What is that?
2) Is there an adaptor to plug it into a Thunderbolt port?
Best answer: That's a DVI cable. And yes, Apple sells a mini DisplayPort to DVI adapter, as do a number of third parties.
posted by good in a vacuum at 1:27 PM on August 21, 2014
posted by good in a vacuum at 1:27 PM on August 21, 2014
Best answer: Incidentally, I'd recommend buying the Monoprice adapter over the Apple adapter. Not only is it a lot cheaper, I've found that (in my experience) they're considerably more durable than the first-party hardware.
posted by fifthrider at 1:29 PM on August 21, 2014
posted by fifthrider at 1:29 PM on August 21, 2014
It's a DVI cable (Digital Video Interface) and there should be plenty of adapters out there for Thunderbolt.
I can't really tell from the image if it's DVI-D (digital only) or DVI-I (supports digital and analog) but I would assume most adapters work with either version.
posted by TwoWordReview at 1:29 PM on August 21, 2014
I can't really tell from the image if it's DVI-D (digital only) or DVI-I (supports digital and analog) but I would assume most adapters work with either version.
posted by TwoWordReview at 1:29 PM on August 21, 2014
Best answer: I can't really tell from the image if it's DVI-D (digital only) or DVI-I (supports digital and analog) but I would assume most adapters work with either version.
It doesn't have wards around the flat pin on the left, so it's single-link DVI-D. Not that that matters, though, since the Thunderbolt/Mini Displayport connector on a MBA puts out a digital signal anyway.
posted by fifthrider at 1:33 PM on August 21, 2014 [1 favorite]
It doesn't have wards around the flat pin on the left, so it's single-link DVI-D. Not that that matters, though, since the Thunderbolt/Mini Displayport connector on a MBA puts out a digital signal anyway.
posted by fifthrider at 1:33 PM on August 21, 2014 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: You guys are fast and great! Thanks -- I saw that one but second-guessed myself because it looks like there's more pins than holes.
posted by dr. boludo at 1:45 PM on August 21, 2014
posted by dr. boludo at 1:45 PM on August 21, 2014
Seconding the recommendation to get the Monoprice cable. On my older MBP the Apple cable was unusable, the Monoprice one worked just fine.
posted by Runes at 2:51 PM on August 21, 2014
posted by Runes at 2:51 PM on August 21, 2014
Seconding Monoprice. Note that this will be using a Thunderbolt port (which has the same shape as a Mini DisplayPort), but won't be sending any sound, just monitor video.
Monoprice sells some adapters that adapt to multiple outputs, like this one which does Mini DisplayPort to DVI or HDMI or (fullsize) displayport. Great for travel, or your next monitor, or a TV.
posted by Sunburnt at 2:55 PM on August 21, 2014
Monoprice sells some adapters that adapt to multiple outputs, like this one which does Mini DisplayPort to DVI or HDMI or (fullsize) displayport. Great for travel, or your next monitor, or a TV.
posted by Sunburnt at 2:55 PM on August 21, 2014
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by mrg at 1:27 PM on August 21, 2014