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Why does Apple have so many proprietary display connectors?

maclover001

maclover001

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Mar 25, 2008
895
0
Vancouver, Canada
Hmm... lets make a list:

ADC
mini-VGA
mini-DVI
micro-DVI
mini DisplayPort

I'm glad Apple has moved everything to one non-prop cable now, but last year was a mess with different models having different types of display ports. Just think its kinda odd.

Feel free to wasteland this.
 
You forgot the original mac vga connector was different than the standard vga connector.
 
Tallest Skil said:
Mini DisplayPort isn't proprietary. It's a free standard using the exact same specifications as standard-sized DisplayPort.
Click to expand...

I'd call it proprietary at this point. Aside of Apple's 24" LCD, there are none on the market. Effing ridiculous that if I want to attach a monitor to my MB that I have to buy an overpriced Apple display or overpriced Apple display adapter that should have been included in the box.
 
rdowns said:
I'd call it proprietary at this point. Aside of Apple's 24" LCD, there are none on the market. Effing ridiculous that if I want to attach a monitor to my MB that I have to buy an overpriced Apple display or overpriced Apple display adapter that should have been included in the box.
Click to expand...

You could call it proprietary "at this point" if they hadn't allowed free use yet, but they have, so it can't really be called proprietary.

Was USB proprietary when only Apple used it?

I completely agree though, that, since this is a port transition, there should have been an adapter included. At least they give you the Mini DVI-DVI adapter for the Mac Mini.:rolleyes:
 
maclover001 said:
Hmm... lets make a list:

ADC
mini-VGA
mini-DVI
micro-DVI
mini DisplayPort

I'm glad Apple has moved everything to one non-prop cable now, but last year was a mess with different models having different types of display ports. Just think its kinda odd.

Feel free to wasteland this.
Click to expand...

Apple's whole marketing model is based on locking the user in. Everything they do with their machines and software is done to ensure that everything you do is Apple - its as simple as that. Even the upgrade paths are carefully designed so that certain pieces of equipment are obsoleted and certain new equipments are designed with no possibility of working with older setups. At the end of the day it is the Apple way.

I was aware of this before I bought my Mac and decided that I could live with it. In many respects when it comes to evil empires, I'd have to say Apple are a lot more 'evil' than MS. It is just that Apple seem to do 'evil' with a lot more finesse - so much finesse that most Apple fan boys love it! :rolleyes: :apple:

RobP
 
The policy is, if you can't deal with the way Apple does it, an Apple computer is just not right for you. Stuck in the Windows world, I'm afraid.
 
iBlue said:
Maybe but that doesn't mean we can't comment on what bullshyte it is.
Click to expand...

Sure you can, but it's like buying a car that you know gets poor gas mileage.... and then crying because it gets poor gas mileage.
 
dimme said:
You forgot the original mac vga connector was different than the standard vga connector.
Click to expand...

Now we have drawers full of unusable adapters...
 

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RobP said:
Apple's whole marketing model is based on locking the user in.
Click to expand...

This isn't entirely true. Apple has made these specs available to anyone who wishes to use them. Seems Apple has always had the idea that they can create new specifications that everyone will adopt, particularly (for some reason) with video. It started way back, when Apple used a different sync pulse than everybody else for their monitors, then again with the weird AV display connectors, then ADC, now these new ones. I'm not sure why, but this has been one of Apple's obsessions for a long time.
 
IJ Reilly said:
This isn't entirely true. Apple has made these specs available to anyone who wishes to use them. Seems Apple has always had the idea that they can create new specifications that everyone will adopt, particularly (for some reason) with video. It started way back, when Apple used a different sync pulse than everybody else for their monitors, then again with the weird AV display connectors, then ADC, now these new ones. I'm not sure why, but this has been one of Apple's obsessions for a long time.
Click to expand...
At least in the case of the Mini DisplayPort, Apple released it later than DisplayPort (which it's based on). Other manufacturers had already created designs using the DisplayPort, and it isn't cost effective to go back and redesign it. So for now, Apple is the only company using it. Given the actual size difference isn't that great, and wider parts availability, they'll likely stick to DisplayPort anyway.

Newer, smaller products (not yet in existence), might be able to take advantage of it though. Netbook type devices come to mind, particularly if they continue to shrink things making PCB real estate harder to come by.
 
Note that all of Apple's connectors of recent vintage
tend to be minature versions of larger connectors.

This is because Apple is in love with thin form factors and
in design even a few mm makes a difference as to how small
you can go.

To me I agree with their approach. A connector should only be
large enough to encompass the correct amount of wires and secure
the cable.
 
nuckinfutz said:
Note that all of Apple's connectors of recent vintage
tend to be minature versions of larger connectors.

This is because Apple is in love with thin form factors and
in design even a few mm makes a difference as to how small
you can go.

To me I agree with their approach. A connector should only be
large enough to encompass the correct amount of wires and secure
the cable.
Click to expand...

Well, is there some reason that they have to put miniaturized versions on their desktops? It's not like the iMac needs to be any thinner, or the Mini needs to get smaller. I could understand using a miniaturized version on the MBA, but it makes no sense to use the miniaturized version on the MB or the MBP, because FW800, USB, and the ethernet ports are all thicker then Mini Displayport connector, so there is no reason to use a miniaturized spec, when you can't further reduce the size because of other connectors. Apple just wants people to buy their stupid adaptors, that end up breaking after a few months use.

Don
 
belvdr said:
The good news is that VESA is planning on adding Apple's mini-DisplayPort to the 1.2 spec.
Click to expand...
They already have IIRC. ;) (Why it's no longer proprietary from a technical standpoint). ;)
nuckinfutz said:
A connector should only be
large enough to encompass the correct amount of wires and secure
the cable.
Click to expand...
Some members have complained about the cable not being that secure on the Mini DisplayPort. I've no idea if it's a QC issue in the manufacturing, or in the design though. :confused:

I look at it this way. You don't change an existing standard just to shrink it. Unless it's providing some real benefit, such as fitting a board meant for a smaller enclosure (PCB real estate) than what's currently produced. It would seem to be added cost for no gain ATM. :confused: I'm thinking they're hoping to develop new, smaller products that it will be needed. It would make some sense at least. ;)
 
Displays

Let us not forget the original connection of the Applevision 14" and 17" which included mic, speakers, ADB, and video. I still have an Applevision 14" in my office storage room. Unfortunately it was around $500 and looks great but I can't connect it to any of my Macs except my old Quadra 840AV. And it was limited to 640X480.

Mini-DP only Apple makes it currently
MiniDVI only seen it on Macs
ADC had to buy a $99 adaptor (only other monitor was a Formac)
Applevision listed above
MiniVGA only on Macs

It's really silly to shrink things down but still exclude firewire from the UniMacBooks.
 
RobP said:
Apple's whole marketing model is based on locking the user in. Everything they do with their machines and software is done to ensure that everything you do is Apple - its as simple as that. Even the upgrade paths are carefully designed so that certain pieces of equipment are obsoleted and certain new equipments are designed with no possibility of working with older setups. At the end of the day it is the Apple way.

I was aware of this before I bought my Mac and decided that I could live with it. In many respects when it comes to evil empires, I'd have to say Apple are a lot more 'evil' than MS. It is just that Apple seem to do 'evil' with a lot more finesse - so much finesse that most Apple fan boys love it! :rolleyes: :apple:

RobP
Click to expand...


Very well said. That's what on my mind. :D
 
The ADC connector was a great idea. I love my 17" Studio Display. 1 cable for everything. Nice and neat.
 
miles01110 said:
Hmm, let's see:

USB- developed by an industry consortium, none of whose members hold sole licensing rights.

Apple MDP- developed by Apple who holds sole licensing rights.

Yeah, exactly the same situation. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
Apple doesn't hold licensing. The port is part of the DisplayPort spec set by VESA, making it licence free and royalty free.
 
Maybe because DVI ports are honkin' huge? And smaller ports are easier to attach on the logic board, if someone plugged a DVI cable in and applied some extraneous amount of force, the connector would break right off. Not the case for smaller ports.

I know you have to buy adapters, but does the majority of people attach a secondary display? No. And having one port instead of 3 or 4 but paying a bit is not that bad for me. The MDP can support composite, av, dvi, DL dvi, vga, etc. Or have 5 different ports...
 
rdowns said:
I'd call it proprietary at this point.
Click to expand...

You keep using that word, I don't think it means what you think it means.

rdowns said:
Aside of Apple's 24" LCD, there are none on the market. Effing ridiculous that if I want to attach a monitor to my MB that I have to buy an overpriced Apple display or overpriced Apple display adapter that should have been included in the box.
Click to expand...

Monoprice. No need to pay extra. the MDP adapters are coming real soon now, including MDP to HDMI which Apple doesn't make.
 
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