jenanomie

Q: can an older cinema display connect to my macbook?

I have a 20" Cinema Display, model No. A1038 and a MacBook, model No. A1181.  Is there anyway I can connect these two? My searches are coming up empty.

Posted on Feb 9, 2012 9:34 PM

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Q: can an older cinema display connect to my macbook?

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  • by Rysz,

    Rysz Rysz Feb 9, 2012 9:38 PM in response to jenanomie
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    Feb 9, 2012 9:38 PM in response to jenanomie

    The converters needed to accomplish that would cost you more than a new non-Apple larger monitor.

  • by jenanomie,

    jenanomie jenanomie Feb 9, 2012 9:42 PM in response to Rysz
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    Feb 9, 2012 9:42 PM in response to Rysz

    Really.  Hm.  I just bought this display for fifteen dollars.  I was hoping the connectors would be in the fifty dollar range, but I can't even seem to figure out which one I need.

  • by richardfromsalmon arm,

    richardfromsalmon arm richardfromsalmon arm Feb 9, 2012 9:48 PM in response to jenanomie
    Level 1 (95 points)
    Feb 9, 2012 9:48 PM in response to jenanomie

    you'll need this

     

    http://store.apple.com/ca/product/M9321G/B?fnode=MTY1NDA3Ng&s=topSellers

     

    and this

     

    http://www.amazon.com/Apple-M8661LL-Display-Adapter-4038234011420/dp/B00011KHT2

     

    looks like Apple is no longer selling the last one. I agree with him.

  • by Rysz,

    Rysz Rysz Feb 9, 2012 9:50 PM in response to jenanomie
    Level 7 (20,519 points)
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    Feb 9, 2012 9:50 PM in response to jenanomie

    That's the problem. It's not just a question of cable connectors. You need a processor box to convert the signal.

  • by jenanomie,

    jenanomie jenanomie Feb 9, 2012 10:06 PM in response to Rysz
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    Feb 9, 2012 10:06 PM in response to Rysz

    Alright, this is all helpful.  Glad I didn't pay more for this thing!!  Ha.  Pardon me for being a little uneducated about this stuff, but I also have a PC laptop.  Would it be easier to connect it to that?

  • by Rysz,

    Rysz Rysz Feb 9, 2012 10:14 PM in response to jenanomie
    Level 7 (20,519 points)
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    Feb 9, 2012 10:14 PM in response to jenanomie

    A PC would make no difference.

     

    Those plastic-encased monitors were great, lasted forever and simplified cabling, but they used a proprietary connector and signal to accomplish all that, so now they're dinasours.

  • by Larry West,

    Larry West Larry West May 22, 2012 11:18 AM in response to jenanomie
    Level 1 (120 points)
    May 22, 2012 11:18 AM in response to jenanomie

    The ADC connector brought together standard DVI (Digital Video), standard USB 1 (12 Mb/s) and power for the display into a single connector. The only thing "proprietary" was the connector. The Macs that used this directly included the PowerMac G4 Cube, several PowerMac G4 models, and some early PowerMac G5s.

     

    As mentioned, you need the mini-DVI to DVI adapter ($25 from Apple), and the Apple DVI-ADC Adapter, which Apple no longer sells. The Apple DVI-ADC adapter has an ADC port for your display to connect to, a DVI cable to plug into a Mac (with or without another adapter), and a USB connector. The DVI-ADC adapter used to be about $100 when Apple still sold them, but they seem to be worth a lot more used these days, up to $200 or more.

     

    So, your options are:

    1. spend up to $250 on the adapters to make the obsolete device work,
    2. spend about the same (plus or minus $50), and buy an Apple 20" Cinema Display (Aluminum enclosure, model M1081 or M9177LL/A). This has the advantage of giving you a USB 2 hub in the display.
    3. Spend the same, or more, or less on another brand display.

     

    I have the same display you have connected with the Apple adapter to my 2006 MacBook Pro, and I love it, though I'm replacing that with an Aluminum 23" display, and the 20" is moving to my G4 MDD.

  • by Larry West,

    Larry West Larry West May 22, 2012 11:21 AM in response to jenanomie
    Level 1 (120 points)
    May 22, 2012 11:21 AM in response to jenanomie

    You still need the Apple DVI-ADC adapter, which would be the more expensive part. The big thing is that the ADC connected displays rely on the computer for their power, and don't use an external power "brick".

     

    Oh, and your PC laptop would have to have DVI output. If it ony has VGA, the Apple Cinema Display will not work at all with it.