Buying Apple external monitor for 2006 MacBookPro?

marlowe

Dear AppleInsiders,



I'm the happy owner of a first-generation (Feb 2006) 15" MacBook Pro, and I'm interested in buying an Apple external monitor. But my computer doesn't have a Mini DisplayPort, just the larger DVI port that was standard on these machines. (I also have a DVI to VGA adapter.) Can Mini DisplayPort devices be connected to DVI ports with some sort of adapter? What can I do about purchasing an Apple display? I'd like to buy something like the 24" cinema display but have a sneaking suspicion that it's not compatible with my computer. I'd appreciate any suggestions users might have.



Many thanks!

Marvin

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marlowe


Can Mini DisplayPort devices be connected to DVI ports with some sort of adapter?

http://www.atlona.com/Atlona-DVI-to-...r-p-17859.html



Very expensive.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marlowe


What can I do about purchasing an Apple display? I'd like to buy something like the 24" cinema display but have a sneaking suspicion that it's not compatible with my computer.

Buy the HP LP2475W instead - it's an IPS display like Apple's:



http://www.amazon.com/LP2475W-24in-L.../dp/B001FS1LLI



It's $240 cheaper than Apple's display and also has an HDMI port if you decide to get a PS3 or standalone Blu-Ray player. It also swivels into portrait mode, which you won't use much most likely but it's useful on occasions. It's also matte so you don't get any glare.

marlowe

Thank you, Marvin. Good advice on both counts. The HP monitor sounds excellent. I also wonder whether there's a good market for older Apple monitors that might be accommodated by my 2006 MacBook Pro. When did Apple stop manufacturing DVI-compatible monitors, and would it be worthwhile to investigate? I'm mostly looking for a monitor that will help me keep research material on one screen while writing on the other.

Marvin

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marlowe


Thank you, Marvin. Good advice on both counts. The HP monitor sounds excellent. I also wonder whether there's a good market for older Apple monitors that might be accommodated by my 2006 MacBook Pro. When did Apple stop manufacturing DVI-compatible monitors, and would it be worthwhile to investigate? I'm mostly looking for a monitor that will help me keep research material on one screen while writing on the other.

They were still selling Cinema displays when the first glossy 24" came out but gradually discontinued them.



According to Wikipedia, the 23" Cinema's were discontinued in October 2008, the 20" in February 2009. Then when the 27" arrived, both the 24" glossy and 30" matte were discontinued, leaving a one-size fits all option.



It's possible to get hold of one but you won't get a dead-pixel warranty:



http://www.amazon.com/Apple-Cinema-2...2591497&sr=1-1



I liked the design of the old Cinema displays - a little chunky but very nice design and would match a MBP very well. I don't like how they have such limited adjustment options though. You can try to find a reseller or a store that sells refurbs so that you can get some warranty cover.



If you had money to burn, you could get the 30" one new from Amazon:



http://www.amazon.com/Apple-Cinema-3...2592027&sr=1-1



and get a warranty along with it. But I think that's too much to invest in a screen when you can get one that will suffice for 1/3 of the price.

1337_5l4xx0r

If you can sacrifice a bit of vertical real estate, IPS monitors from both Viewsonic and NEC at 1920x1080 can be had for $300.

$289: http://www.amazon.com/ViewSonic-VP23...2721606&sr=1-1

$330: http://www.amazon.com/NEC-EA231WMI-B...2721606&sr=1-4



Spend the remainder on beer, and now you're drunk AND have an IPS monitor.