Monitor for old macbook mid 2010

[ferko86]

Hi all macbook nerds! (including myself of course)

I have an old macbook mid 2010 that i would like to connect to a 20-27" monitor, it does not need to be an Apple display, it could be any brand.
Since my macbook is so old it only uses Mini Displayport , anyone that could recommend a monitor?

 

[BrianBaughn]

The 2010 MacBook has a "Mini DisplayPort that passes an audio as well as a video signal and supports an external display at 2560x1600" according to everymac.com.

That would lead me to think that you'd be better off just getting a 1080p monitor…and the bigger the monitor the blurrier that 1080p will look if you're sitting in front of it.

Just get a $10 MiniDisplayPort to HDMI cable to hook one up. I've got one and use it with my 2009 MacBook occasionally…hooked up to a TV. My 2009 model doesn't send sound through the port, though.

 

[Amethyst1]

That would lead me to think that you'd be better off just getting a 1080p monitor…

"1080p" sucks. The best in terms of PPI (pixel density) for the machine is a 24" or 27" 2560×1440 ("1440p") monitor, which the MBP can run at 60 Hz. That would be my recommendation.

Just get a $10 MiniDisplayPort to HDMI cable to hook one up.

HDMI will limit the max res to 1920×1080. Not recommended.

 

[MBAir2010]

I use a Samsung TV 720 dpi for my spare MacBook air 2010 2GB which never had problem.
that generic display port to HDMI cable from Miscocenter robs very good.
much better than a usb_c to hdmi dongle one from Phillips

hope this helped!

 

[ferko86]

Hi all , thank you for all your input.

Ok , What kind of Samsung TV? i mean, can you use a 40" or bigger with MiniDP to HDMI ?

I use a Samsung TV 720 dpi for my spare MacBook air 2010 2GB which never had problem.
that generic display port to HDMI cable from Miscocenter robs very good.
much better than a usb_c to hdmi dongle one from Phillips

hope this helped!

 

[Amethyst1]

i mean, can you use a 40" or bigger with MiniDP to HDMI ?

The size doesn't matter. The resolution does. If it's capable of displaying "1080p", it should work fine using a MiniDP to HDMI adapter or cable.

 

[justashooter]

If you are looking for a monitor for your desk, I do not recommend a 40 inch TV. You need a QHD monitor with displayport inputs, it supports the 2560x1440 resolution that the 2010 MacBook Pro will support. Giving you twice the real estate of the 1200x800 laptop screen.

I have the Asus PB258Q, which is a wonderful 25 inch monitor. I don't believe they make it any more tho. A quick search came up with this, which is reasonably priced:

Computer Accessories and Peripherals

Shop Dell’s high-quality computer accessories like keyboards, mice, webcams, batteries and more. Enjoy great deals and build your ideal PC setup for home or business.

www.dell.com

There are certainly others.

 

[BrianBaughn]

Your decision will depend on the level of performance you are expecting.

My 2009 MacBook running Mojave via the dosdude1 hack can barely handle full screen video on its own screen…and browser-wise, Safari seems to be the best, or even the only, browser capable. I've never tried anything higher than 1080p using the MiniDisplayPort on an external. For a MacBook this old, the video is "acceptable".

My guess is that, for general computer use, 1440p might be OK but could add another hurdle to getting acceptable full screen video.

Having said that it the 2010 MacBook has a better GPU than the 2009 and hopefully gets much better results.

 

[Amethyst1]

Having said that it the 2010 MacBook has a better GPU than the 2009 and hopefully gets much better results.

I've run a "4K" monitor off my 2010 MacBook Air, which has the same GPU as a 13" 2010 MacBook [Pro]: a NVIDIA GeForce 320M. It maxed out at 41 Hz refresh rate due to pixel clock constraints of DisplayPort 1.1 and I wouldn't even think of full-screen video or anything like that. For light desktop use it was OK.

 

[ferko86]

If you are looking for a monitor for your desk, I do not recommend a 40 inch TV. You need a QHD monitor with displayport inputs, it supports the 2560x1440 resolution that the 2010 MacBook Pro will support. Giving you twice the real estate of the 1200x800 laptop screen.

I have the Asus PB258Q, which is a wonderful 25 inch monitor. I don't believe they make it any more tho. A quick search came up with this, which is reasonably priced:

Computer Accessories and Peripherals

Shop Dell’s high-quality computer accessories like keyboards, mice, webcams, batteries and more. Enjoy great deals and build your ideal PC setup for home or business.

www.dell.com

There are certainly others.

Hi ,

This is correct. I tried on my 40 inch Samsung and it does not support as you stated .
I've now a 24" monitor which i will connect with a DisplayPort input , i think it will work great.

Thanks everyone for being so helpful with this topic !

 

[ferko86]

The size doesn't matter. The resolution does. If it's capable of displaying "1080p", it should work fine using a MiniDP to HDMI adapter or cable.

Thanks for clarifying this.

 

[EugW]

"1080p" sucks. The best in terms of PPI (pixel density) for the machine is a 24" or 27" 2560×1440 ("1440p") monitor, which the MBP can run at 60 Hz. That would be my recommendation.

It can do 2560x1600 too at 60 Hz (without any hacks), as you're probably already aware.

 

[Amethyst1]

It can do 2560x1600 too at 60 Hz (without any hacks), as you're probably already aware.

Yep.

 

[BrianBaughn]

"Can do" what at 2560x1600?

 

[EugW]

"Can do" what at 2560x1600?

That machine will work at 2560x1600 at 60 Hz, as stated.