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Thunderbolt to VGA

jakesaunders27

jakesaunders27

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jan 23, 2012
907
6
United Kingdom
Hi
I have just bought a MacBook Air and need to be able to connect it to a VGA display but it seems there is no such adaptor does anyone know if you can get one?

Cheers guys
 
You can use a Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapter.

Mini DisplayPort (MDP) / Thunderbolt
Mini DisplayPort is the current digital standard on all current Macs to transfer video to an external display or TV. It has been introduced in 10/2008 with the release of the Unibody MacBook and MacBook Pros and has gradually been adopted on all other Macs.
MDP is capable of transmitting video, and since 2010, audio too. MDP is a miniaturised version of DisplayPort. It is also license free and can support resolutions of up to 2560 x 1600, which Mini DVI and Micro DVI are not able to do.
Since 2011, all Macs come with a Thunderbolt port, which is meant for fast data transfer and also as means to connect to an external display device to mirror or extend the Mac's screen.
To learn more about Thunderbolt (TB) and its compatibility with Mini DisplayPort (MDP): Introducing Thunderbolt​
MR_video_out_Mac_Mini_DP.png
MDP adapters and cables can be bought online from:


Also of interest: "What is "Mini DisplayPort"? Is it an industry-standard? How is it different from or better than Mini-DVI and Micro-DVI?"
​
Click to expand...
 
jakesaunders27 said:
thanks so much so MDP is the same as thunderbolt?
Click to expand...

No, but Thunderbolt is based on MDP.
To learn more about Thunderbolt (TB) and its compatibility with Mini DisplayPort (MDP):
​
And because Thunderbolt is based on DisplayPort technology, the video standard for high-resolution displays, any Mini DisplayPort display plugs right into the Thunderbolt port. To connect a DisplayPort, DVI, HDMI, or VGA display, just use an existing adapter.
Click to expand...
 
A couple of options for future expansion would be a thunderbolt hub.

One with the video port is the Matrox® DS1 (http://www.matrox.com/docking_station/en/ds1/press/)

As for the others, I am looking at one of these:

Belkin Thunderbolt Express Dock (http://www.belkin.com/thunderbolt/)

LaCie eSATA Hub (http://www.lacie.com/products/product.htm?id=10574#a3)

At least this way, you can daisy chain more devices, but if your needs will only be the external video, then the single cable is probably the best route.
 
Hi
Thanks for your replies, I have actually discovered that my dad has a MiniDisplay Port to VGA adaptor for his MBP so I tried it and works perfectly thanks for all your help

Jake
 
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