External Display on iBook?

[OCOTILLO]

Can the 12" iBook drive an external 20" ACD at full resolution?

 

[robbieduncan]

With the screen spanning "hack" I would have thought so.

Without the hack no, it can only support mirroring (so 1024x768).

 

[nutmac]

With the screen spanning "hack" I would have thought so.

Without the hack no, it can only support mirroring (so 1024x768).

Even with the spanning hack, to drive ACD, you will need to purchase VGA to DVI converter. They cost quite a bit the last time I checked, at least a couple of hundred bucks. Cheaper option is to purchase non-Apple display such as Dell that includes VGA input. Of course, quality via VGA is not as clear as DVI.

 

[robbieduncan]

Even with the spanning hack, to drive ACD, you will need to purchase VGA to DVI converter. They cost quite a bit the last time I checked, at least a couple of hundred bucks. Cheaper option is to purchase non-Apple display such as Dell that includes VGA input. Of course, quality via VGA is not as clear as DVI.

Good catch. I forgot that ADC displays are DVI-D only.

 

[MRU]

Even with the spanning hack, to drive ACD, you will need to purchase VGA to DVI converter. They cost quite a bit the last time I checked, at least a couple of hundred bucks. Cheaper option is to purchase non-Apple display such as Dell that includes VGA input. Of course, quality via VGA is not as clear as DVI.

DVI - VGA adapters are about 10 Euro - where do you live where they cost a couple of hundred

 

[nutmac]

DVI - VGA adapters are about 10 Euro - where do you live where they cost a couple of hundred

DVI to VGA may be as low as $10. But VGA to DVI are in the hundreds.

 

[robbieduncan]

DVI to VGA may be as low as $10. But VGA to DVI are in the hundreds.

The reason for this is obvious when you stop and think. Graphics cards have DVI-I connectors so they have DVI and full VGA on one connector so the convertor is basically just straight through. To go from VGA to DVI you need to lock onto the VGA clock, extract the pixel signal then re-encode to digital and transmit via a TDMS. i.e. expensive!