What adaptor do I need for this monitor?

[OceanFrog]

Hi all ... apologies in advance for the n00b question. I've looked for an answer but I'm still confused.

I'm about to buy the Dell ST2410 24" as an external monitor for my 2009 MacBook Pro 13".

What adapter do I need to connect the MacBook to the monitor?

 

[spinnerlys]

Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter

or

Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter

 

[Hellhammer]

As the monitor has all, HDMI, DVI and VGA, it's your choice. If you want to connect it to TV, then HDMI may be best choice but if not, then I'd buy DVI. The monitor comes with only VGA cable so keep that in mind if you get other than VGA adapter

So HDMI, DVI or VGA adapter, all will work.

 

[OceanFrog]

Wow!!! Fast replies ... thanks a lot guys.

So which is better ... Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter or Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter? What is the difference?

 

[snaky69]

Wow!!! Fast replies ... thanks a lot guys.

So which is better ... Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter or Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter? What is the difference?

DVi should have better picture quality as it is a digital signal vs analog for the VGA.

 

[Hellhammer]

Wow!!! Fast replies ... thanks a lot guys.

So which is better ... Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter or Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter? What is the difference?

DVI is better. Even though both support that resolution, DVI should look better and at least, be more future proof. Just buy a DVI cable as well if you don't have one as that monitor comes with only VGA

 

[Z06jerry]

this is what I use ...

http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...=10428&cs_id=1042802&p_id=5106&seq=1&format=2

BTW, Monoprice also makes a MDP > DVI cable but don't buy because it will partially block the usb port on your MBP

 

[OceanFrog]

Thanks again guys ... impressive! I'll go with DVI.

So will any DVI cable do? Are there different DVI cables (male, female, etc) or just one standard?

Also, is there just one type of Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter or a few different types?

 

[Hellhammer]

Thanks again guys ... impressive! I'll go with DVI.

So will any DVI cable do? Are there different DVI cables (male, female, etc) or just one standard?

Also, is there just one type of Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter or a few different types?

You need a DVI male to DVI female (as always). All MDP to DVI are the same but there are some 3rd party ones for cheaper price but they do the same thing

 

[Z06jerry]

You need a DVI male to DVI female (as always). All MDP to DVI are the same but there are some 3rd party ones for cheaper price but they do the same thing

You might want to check your monitor's DVI input. I'm pretty sure you need a DVI cable that is male on both ends (that's how it is on my Dell 2405)

One like this should work;

http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...d=1020902&p_id=2407&seq=1&format=1#largeimage

 

[OceanFrog]

Thanks for all the replies guys.

I've been looking in eBay ... will this work for me? Or is it better to get the two separate adapter/cables as mentioned by posters above?

Thanks again for all the help.

 

[ozreth]

oo That looks like a nice monitor. Im in the market for one but dont know much about them, this seems like a good deal though. I was hoping to get a 30" but maybe not...

 

[Hellhammer]

You might want to check your monitor's DVI input. I'm pretty sure you need a DVI cable that is male on both ends (that's how it is on my Dell 2405)

One like this should work;

http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...d=1020902&p_id=2407&seq=1&format=1#largeimage

Hmm, I think you're right, my bad

Thanks for all the replies guys.

I've been looking in eBay ... will this work for me? Or is it better to get the two separate adapter/cables as mentioned by posters above?

Thanks again for all the help.

Yup, it'll work!

 

[Z06jerry]

Thanks for all the replies guys.

I've been looking in eBay ... will this work for me? Or is it better to get the two separate adapter/cables as mentioned by posters above?

Thanks again for all the help.

Yes, that should work. The Monoprice version of that cable will make it difficult to plug a usb cable into the usb port located beside the MDP on your MBP, but this one looks small enough in the picture to work. I prefer the single cable option if available. This cable is kind of long though.

 

[OceanFrog]

@ Z06jerry ... "should"???

@ Hellhammer ... thanks for all the help man. Really appreciated.

So I'm right to assume this single cable will work as good as the two separate adapter/cable suggested by posters above? If so, thats some difference in price. The eBay cable will cost me about $10 ... I priced the Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter + the DVI to DVI cable earlier at over $50 !!!

 

[Coldmode]

The only thing to be concerned with is if the Mini DisplayPort side covers the USB port that sits right next to it on the MBP. The quality of the cable doesn't matter because the signal is digital; with VGA the signal is analog so the signal and picture quality varies with the quality of the cable.

 

[OceanFrog]

The only thing to be concerned with is if the Mini DisplayPort side covers the USB port that sits right next to it on the MBP. The quality of the cable doesn't matter because the signal is digital; with VGA the signal is analog so the signal and picture quality varies with the quality of the cable.

How would I find this out?

Which one looks best ... this one, or this one? The connector looks small in the first one. Would that cover the usb port?

 

[Coldmode]

this one

The Mini DisplayPort connector pictured here is the exact same size as the one on the Apple made MDP -> DVI adapter. It should work fine. I actually may be ordering one of these as well ;-).

 

[Z06jerry]

@ Z06jerry ... "should"???

OceanFrog, the reason I said "should" (and not will) is because I haven't personally tried the eBay cable that you found. I have tried the similar MDP>DVI cable that is sold by Monoprice and their cable's MDP connector is too wide making it difficult to use the usb port on the 13" MBP at the same time.

Here is a picture of the one that doesn't fit very well and as you can see the MDP connector is bigger than the 2 you linked to on eBay.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...d=1024604&p_id=5998&seq=1&format=1#largeimage

 

[John Kotches]

this is what I use ...

BTW, Monoprice also makes a MDP > DVI cable but don't buy because it will partially block the usb port on your MBP

I can't speak to monoprices mdp -> Dvi but the mdp -> hdmi does not block access; and it works perfectly!

 

[Z06jerry]

I can't speak to monoprices mdp -> Dvi but the mdp -> hdmi does not block access; and it works perfectly!

Just to be clear; the Monoprice MDP>DVI adapter is OK but the Monoprice MDP>DVI cable has a MDP connector that is too wide.