External display performance: Plastic MacBook (X3100) vs. Aluminum MacBook

[ThomasJL]

The plastic MacBooks with the Intel GMA X3100 are capable of running an external display at up to 1920 x 1200.

If one were using an external 24" LCD display at 1920 x 1200, would there be any noticeable difference between using this display with a plastic MacBook or a new aluminum MacBook?

 

[Philflow]

Most likely you will notice a difference in signal quality. VGA is analog and not very suited for driving 1900*1200 display.

Display port, like on the new Macbooks is very suited for 1900*1200 output.

 

[molala]

The plastic Macbooks have DVI, you don't have to use VGA.

 

[fewture]

Old plastic Macbooks have DVI and VGA (whatever adapter you choose to use)

The macbooks with x3100 can drive 1900 x 1200 but its a tiny bit laggy at times. (cant be bother looking up, sorry if its actually 1920 and not 1900)
Not bad lag, just doing expose and not totally pin point when moving windows around etc. ie you can notice - more in terms of feeling it rather than seeing it.
x3100 is good with 1680 x 1050 (ie for 22 and 20" screens). You won't notice any lag at that resolution

I don't know what the news Macbooks are like but probably a lot better.

 

[dukebound85]

no the old mb's do NOT have dvi and vga

they have a mini-dvi port

apple sells adapter for mini dvi-dvi and mini dvi-vga depending on what monitor you are trying to drive

and no the display is not laggy lol

 

[ThomasJL]

In regards to my OP, with the plastic MacBook with X3100, I am referring to Mini-DVI-to-DVI.