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2560x1440 on a MBP without a MiniDisplay Port?

M

maneoke77

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jul 16, 2010
11
0
Just purchased the Dell Ultrasharp U2711 and a bit worried that with my current main Mac, the early 2008 pre-unibody model, I won't be able to get the full resolution without the MiniDisplay Port.

Is this true? If so, how noticeable is the difference between 2048x1152, the max when connected through a DVI-HDMI cable I presume?
 
GTghost said:
I have my MBP hooked up to a samsung 48" tv with 1920x1080 and it seems the MBP recognizes it.
Click to expand...

I have a 1080p Samsung (40") as well, but hooking up the MBP (DVI to HDMI cable) will not display 1080p, only 1080i if I remember, and that is cropped.

Off topic, but yeah. I am most interested in 2560x1440 possibility, and through the monitor display, not HDTV. Leaning towards only compatible with MiniDisplay Port, but I want to set the record straight.
 
maneoke77 said:
I have a 1080p Samsung (40") as well, but hooking up the MBP (DVI to HDMI cable) will not display 1080p, only 1080i if I remember, and that is cropped.

Off topic, but yeah. I am most interested in 2560x1440 possibility, and through the monitor display, not HDTV. Leaning towards only compatible with MiniDisplay Port, but I want to set the record straight.
Click to expand...

If your MacBook has Dual Link DVI, it is possible. However if it is a single link model, it will only go up to 1920x1200.

that's why you need a Dual Link DVI if you want to use a 30" with a regular DVI Model.
 
Sneakz said:
Actually, the max is 2048x1152, not 1920x1200.
Click to expand...

Right, so I guess my prediction was correct that you can only get 2048x1152 max with a MiniDisplayPort-less Mac.

How noticeable is the difference between 2048x1152 and 2560x1440? Will anything be cropped or blurry due to the monitor not being in it's "native" resolution (2560x1440)?
And what would produce the best quality - DVI to HDMI, or DVI to DVI? Or other? I currently only have a DVI to HDMI cable.
 
That MacBook Pro has dual-link DVI, so it should be able to power it at the full resolution. You just need to have a dual-link DVI cable handy.
 
You can run that resolution on your pre-unibody MBP. As others have said, just make sure you're using a dual-link DVI cable.

Apple used to advertise your MBP model driving the 30" Cinema Display, which was 2560x1600.
 
iBookG4user said:
That MacBook Pro has dual-link DVI, so it should be able to power it at the full resolution. You just need to have a dual-link DVI cable handy.
Click to expand...

Ah, I see! I've been searching around for the possibilities of a possible cable for the past few hours, mind if you link me to an example of one I'd need?
 
All MacBook Pros and PowerBook G4s have Dual-Link DVI, so yes you will have no problem driving it. Just make sure the DVI connector is compatible, and get the right adapter if you need one.

EDIT: I meant to say all pre-2009 MacBook Pros (ones with DVI connectors). The newer ones are all MiniDisplayPort but both will drive up to 2560x1600

The only type of monitor you will have trouble driving is an IBM T221 or something like that (google it). Maximum resolution is over twice that of the 30" Cinema Display, and it's only a 22" display. Saw a used one on eBay last week sell for over $1900!!
 
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