Which DVI adapter for 2008 MacBook?

[diane143]

I bought a Mini-DVI to DVI adapter to plug in my full size monitor to my late-2008 unibody MacBook.

It's this one: http://store.apple.com/us/product/M9321G/B

It says MacBook (though to be fair it doesn't specify WHICH one).

When I picked it up at the Apple store they said yes it would work (this was a couple of months ago).

I finally get around to trying it today and the cable is WAY to big for the port on my laptop.

I looked at the site and I see a micro adapter, but that says 1st gen MBA, not MB.

Does anyone know which I need? Or did I get a mispackaged one?

 

[simsaladimbamba]

Do you have the Aluminium Unibody MacBook from late 2008? If so, it uses Mini DisplayPort as video output, thus you need a Mini DisplayPort to DVI adapter:

Mini DisplayPort (MDP) / Thunderbolt

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.
Since 2011, all Macs come with a Thunderbolt port, which is meant for fast data transfer and also as means to connect to an external display device to mirror or extend the Mac's screen.

To learn more about Thunderbolt (TB) and its compatibility with Mini DisplayPort (MDP): Introducing Thunderbolt​

MDP adapters and cables can be bought online from:

Apple Online Store (or the physical Apple Store)

• MDP to VGA adapter
• MDP to DVI adapter
• MDP to Dual-Link-DVI adapter
• Moshi Mini DP to HDMI Adapter with Audio Support adapter

Monoprice

• Mini DisplayPort + USB to Dual-Link DVI adapter
• Mini DisplayPort to DVI adapter
• Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapter
• Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter
• Mini Displayport Male and USB Male/Toslink Audio to HDMI Female Converting adapter
• Mini Displayport Male and USB Male Audio to HDMI Female Converting adapter - *NOTE* Will only support 2 channel stereo. Will not support 5.1 Dolby Surround like the above adapter.

• Mini DisplayPort to Mini DisplayPort cables
• Mini DisplayPort to VGA cables
• Mini DisplayPort to DVI cables
• Mini DisplayPort to HDMI cables
• Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort cables

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?"
​

from

Common video interfaces on Macs and the appropriate adapters to connect to other display devices
​

 

[diane143]

Do you have the Aluminium Unibody MacBook from late 2008? If so, it uses Mini DisplayPort as video output, thus you need a Mini DisplayPort to DVI adapter:

Yep, that's the one. I bought mine right when it came out, October 2008. Anyone need the mini-dvi cable?

I dug up my manual and it does say Mini DisplayPort. Their store does not make it clear however and I never even saw the DisplayPort cable when I first ordered it.

Thanks!

Diane