Old Apple display; unibody MBPs?

[Bigsy]

Hi all,

I'm still looking to get a monitor for my early 2009 MBP and was wondering if it would be compatible with one of the old (20, 23 or 30 inch) displays from apple; i love their design.

Thanks

 

[Mr. Giver '94]

Unfortunately not. I'm not sure if they make an appropriate adapter.

 

[lixuelai]

You just need the MDP->DVI adapter for the 20" and 23" and the MDP->DL-DVI for the 30". Even the ADC ones should work with the MDP->DVI->ADC.

 

[Bigsy]

Thanks for the quick reply...

How much would that adapter cost? Do Apple make them?

Money isn't that much of an issue because I'm saving up and I can wait, so do you think I'd be better going for the old 23" (would I be able to run this with my MBP in clamshell?) or the new Cinema Display?

 

[Sedulous]

Depends on what model display you are referring to. If you want one of the old cinema/studio displays that use the ADC style plug (single cable/plug carries video/power/USB) then you need a very expensive ADC to DVI adapter (and of course the DVI to minidisplay port adapter). If you want to connect the aluminum cinema displays, then you only need the DVI to DVI-minidisplay port adapter.

 

[Bigsy]

Urghhh this is so complicated, I'm a total technophobe

I think I'm just going to go with the new Apple CD where compatibility is ensured. Thanks all for the help

 

[rtheb]

Depends on what model display you are referring to. If you want one of the old cinema/studio displays that use the ADC style plug (single cable/plug carries video/power/USB) then you need a very expensive ADC to DVI adapter (and of course the DVI to minidisplay port adapter). If you want to connect the aluminum cinema displays, then you only need the DVI to DVI-minidisplay port adapter.

Older "crystal clear" 20" Apple Cinema Display

Newer "aluminum" 20" Apple Cinema Display

The 23" "crystal clear" Display

is here

and the 23" "aluminum" Display

is here

Urghhh this is so complicated, I'm a total technophobe

I think I'm just going to go with the new Apple CD where compatibility is ensured. Thanks all for the help

Just be sure you purchase the newer aluminum 20" or 23" and the Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter

at Monoprice for less than $10.00

and save $$$.

 

[Bigsy]

Thank you!!

I live in the UK, where would be a good place to get this adapter from?

Can I use this with a PC?

 

[rtheb]

Thank you!!

I live in the UK, where would be a good place to get this adapter from?

Can I use this with a PC?

Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter at Apple.com/uk.

You can Use the 20" or 23" Aluminum ACD with a PC as long as you have a DVI output on your video card. The ACD has no VGA input.