What cable adapter for external display?

[Soundhound]

For my white 24" iMac Core 2 duo? I've got my hands on an inexpensive acer monitor (will be just fine for my needs) and want to use it with my iMac. What adapter or cable do I need?

On the monitor there is a VGA port and a DVI port.

Thanks!

 

[simsaladimbamba]

Either you have Mini DVI or Mini DisplayPort as video output on the iMac.
Below is a short summary on both ports and should help you decide what adapter you can use.

Mini DVI

Mini DVI is a digital common interface on the later G4 12" PowerBook, on Intel iMacs till 2009 and on the white and black pre-Unibody MacBooks and on Intel Mac minis before they changed the design to Unibody.

Mini DVI adapters can be bought online from:

Mini DVI to VGA adapter from Apple
Mini DVI to Video (Composite and S-Video) adapter from Apple
Mini DVI to DVI adapter from Apple

Mini DVI to VGA adapter from Monoprice
Mini DVI to HDMI adapter from Monoprice
Mini DVI to DVI adapter from Monoprice
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Also of interest: "Mini DVI, what it is and how to capture it"
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Mini DisplayPort (MDP)

Mini DisplayPort is the current digital standard on all current Macs to transfer video to an external display or TV. It has been introduced in 10/2008 with the release of the Unibody MacBook and MacBook Pros and has gradually been adopted on all other Macs.
MDP is capable of transmitting video, and since 2010, audio too. MDP is a miniaturised version of DisplayPort. It is also license free and can support resolutions of up to 2560 x 1600, which Mini DVI and Micro DVI are not able to do.

MDP adapters can be bought online from:

MDP to VGA adapter from Apple
MDP to DVI adapter from Apple
MDP to Dual-Link-DVI adapter from Apple

Moshi Mini DP to HDMI Adapter with Audio Support adapter from the Apple Online Store

Mini DisplayPort + USB to Dual-Link DVI adapter from Monoprice
Mini DisplayPort to DVI adapter from Monoprice
Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapter from Monoprice
Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter from Monoprice - *NOTE* This product does NOT support audio for Macs that outputs audio through the Mini DisplayPort.
Mini Displayport Male and USB Male/Toslink Audio to HDMI Female Converting adapter from Monoprice
Mini Displayport Male and USB Male Audio to HDMI Female Converting adapter from Monoprice - *NOTE* Will only support 2 channel stereo. Will not support 5.1 Dolby Surround like the above adapter.

Mini DisplayPort to Mini DisplayPort Cables from Monoprice
Mini DisplayPort to VGA Cables from Monoprice
Mini DisplayPort to DVI Cables from Monoprice
Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Cables from Monoprice​

Also of interest: "What is "Mini DisplayPort"? Is it an industry-standard? How is it different from or better than Mini-DVI and Micro-DVI?"
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