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Do I have what I need to connect an extra monitor?

S

Sal Collaziano

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Nov 7, 2007
331
24
Royal Palm Beach, FL
edit: I got this situated, thanks to the help I received here. Now I'm here: #17

I'm currently using a DisplayPort to DVI Adapter like pictured below to connect my MBP to a 27" Samsung monitor. My 27" iMac should be arriving any day and I'd like to connect this same monitor to have two screens. Is this all I need or do I need to buy something else to make the connection? I'm thinking I'll need another part. If so, is it something I can just pick up at my local Apple store?

apple_mb570ll_b_mini_displayport_to_dvi_1429716091000_1139475.jpg

I may also want to connect to this monitor as well (below). From my second post here back in 2007. :p
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/can-i-connect-a-mbp-to-this-dell-monitor.384476/

320-4688.jpg
 
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Sal Collaziano said:
Is this all I need
Click to expand...

No, you'll need a USB-C to DVI adapter instead of your existing one (since the picture shows a single-link adapter
I'm assuming that its a 1920x1080 or lower monitor, not a 2560x1440 or larger one that needs dual-link).

E.g. https://plugable.com/products/usbc-dvi/

Note - that's just an example, not a recommendation, as I haven't used it personally.

Also note the warning on the linked page about HDCP support - not sure if this is an issue on iMacs as well as the retina MacBook, so you might want to post the actual model numbers of your monitors to see if anybody has used them successfully. (I'd guess that if the display has an HDMI port then it's more likely to work - if so, you could also use a USB-C to HDMI adapter).
 
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theluggage said:
No, you'll need a USB-C to DVI adapter instead of your existing one (since the picture shows a single-link adapter
I'm assuming that its a 1920x1080 or lower monitor, not a 2560x1440 or larger one that needs dual-link).

E.g. https://plugable.com/products/usbc-dvi/

Note - that's just an example, not a recommendation, as I haven't used it personally.

Also note the warning on the linked page about HDCP support - not sure if this is an issue on iMacs as well as the retina MacBook, so you might want to post the actual model numbers of your monitors to see if anybody has used them successfully. (I'd guess that if the display has an HDMI port then it's more likely to work - if so, you could also use a USB-C to HDMI adapter).
Click to expand...
Thank you. I'm using a Samsung SyncMaster P2770 27" Monitor 1920 x 1080 (video below, not sure where to find specs for such an old monitor) and a Dell but I can't tell which model it is. Maybe the image below will help...



dellmonitor.jpg
 
All I see in the pic directly above that might be usable is a VGA port.
Does it have HDMI?
 
For the Dell, looks like you need either:
- USB-c to VGA (if the MacBook Pro is a 2016/17)
- Minidisplayport to VGA (if the MacBook Pro is 2015 or earlier)
 
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i Would go with an adapter that ends in HDMI and add an HDMI to DVI adapter to it. That would be future proof for a new monitor at some point. And HDMI to DVI is among the simplest conversions.
 
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Well! I do have my 27" Samsung hooked up with my 27" iMac. The resolution on the Samsung is very low, however. Everything looks bigger than it should. Is there a simple setting to fix this?
 
You can change the resolution of the external display in System Preferences/Displays
The displays pane should appear on both displays, showing your choices for each.
Also, you might have mirroring turned on, which will mean that both displays show the same image.
Go to the Displays/Arrangement tab. You can turn off "Mirroring" so that the screen extends across both displays.

The Dell is a 20-inch screen? So, much smaller than your iMac, or the Samsung display.
 
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Your link in your post #1 shows that your Dell is an Ultrasharp 2007WFP - which is a 20-inch display.
Is your Dell display still that same one that you asked about in that 10-year old thread?
 
DeltaMac said:
Your link in your post #1 shows that your Dell is an Ultrasharp 2007WFP - which is a 20-inch display.
Is your Dell display still that same one that you asked about in that 10-year old thread?
Click to expand...
My wiring for the Dell hookup comes tomorrow. I'm pretty sure it's the same Dell from 10 years ago but I'm on my phone so it's a little difficult to find. The monitor I'm referring to now is the one in the third post at the top of this discussion. A 27" Samsung.
 
Neither the Samsung or your Dell will have a screen image anywhere close to the sharp image on your iMac screen.
Native resolution for the Samsung is 1920x1080, 27-inch screen will look grainy by comparison to the iMac (and the older Dell 2007MFP is 1680 x 1050, 20-inch screen) Both can be used with DVI connection. I would suggest using Thunderbolt 3 to DVI adapter (actually, you would search for a USB-C to DVI adapter, which can be found from various sources.
Such as here ...
 
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Sal Collaziano said:
It's the Samsung in the 3rd post up top. Not sure...

It looked good when I was using it earlier today with my MBP before the iMac arrived... It's also got a blue hue now...
Click to expand...

That Samsung is 1080P. It's possible that your Mac is setting it up as 720 or 900. MacOS tends to go big on screen resolution by default. As #DeltaMac mentioned, Both of those monitors are going to look very bad next to the iMac. I would try to get away from them. You don't have to go to the awesome LG monitors at the Apple store, but there are lots of very decent 4K monitors available in the $400 range.
 
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Well, I've found myself needing a third monitor. I'm not looking for video quality - just something to host a browser window and set of tabs. My Samsung is only used for viewing email. I'd like to buy the following monitor:

Asus VZ279HE 27” Full HD 1080P IPS Eye Care Monitor with HDMI and VGA

What do I need to purchase in addition to get that monitor working with my iMac? I only have a single USB and Lightning port available... I guess I need an HDMI to Lightning adapter?

IMG_0218.jpg
 
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DeltaMac said:
The "lightning bolt" marking identifies a "Thunderbolt" port, NOT a lightning port. Those are very different.
Don't get a lightning cable, as you will be disappointed.
Get a "thunderbolt 3" or USB-C cable. The other end should be an HDMI connector to plug right in.
Get an adapter such as this - https://www.amazon.com/Adapter-uni-Thunderbolt-Compatible-MacBook/dp/B075V68NVR
Or, you can get a full USB-C to HDMI cable to eliminate one connection - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07925J6GY
Click to expand...
Thank you very much! I placed my order... Thunderbolt! That does make sense... :)
 
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