Cheapest Thunderbolt adapter to output 2560x1440

[ohkuipo]

Hey all,

So I've run into a couple snags trying to hook my rMBP up to my 2560x1440 display. First, I tried using HDMI, but I was limited in resolution (which is odd, as my display is HDMI 1.4 compliant). Next, I tried the MiniDP > DVI adapter, but was limited in resolution there too. (Side tangent: WHY does Apple sell a single-link DVI adapter that includes dual-link pinouts?! That adapter should *not* include the center block of pins, suggesting it is dual. It tricked me into thinking it was dual, which is why I bought it. Nowhere on the product page does it say it's only single-link. I couldn't believe how deceiving that was.)

What's the cheapest way I can get my laptop to output 2560x1440 to my display? I know I can do it with the $100 dual-link DVI adapter, but that's bulky and very expensive. Is there a cheaper option?

 

[simsaladimbamba]

What inputs does your external monitor have? And what exact model is it?

 

[ohkuipo]

What inputs does your external monitor have? And what exact model is it?

It's a Samsung S27B970D. It has HDMI (1.4), DP (1.1), and DL DVI. [spec sheet]

Previously, I've used it with a PC via DL DVI-D without a problem. I'm using that same cable.

 

[theluggage]

It's a Samsung S27B970D. It has HDMI (1.4), DP (1.1), and DL DVI. [spec sheet]

This should work:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/StarTech-com-Mini-DisplayPort-Adapter-Cable/dp/B002XVYZ82 (I have one of those - but there are more & cheaper alternatives available to USAians: http://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-32A...=8-3&keywords=mini+displayport+to+displayport).

Caveat: I haven't tried it with this particular monitor. Some Macs/monitor combinations, when connected this way, have a problem where the monitor
is mis-identified as a TV and uses the wrong colour space - resulting in a fuzy display (looks like font smoothing gone wrong). If you're unlucky, the fix is here: http://embdev.net/topic/284710

...however, it should just work, and it's so much cheaper than getting a dual-link DVI adapter that it's worth a try.

 

[faxoli]

Cheapest cable is a display port to mini display port. Too bad the monitor will be more expensive