Q: Horrible colors on external monitor using macbook air(2012) with mini dp to hdmi

I have a similar problem. Colors are ok, but I really find it hard to read emails and web pages and using google maps is almost impossibile, unless I zoom to the maximum level. Everything looks blurry and I'm using a 23'' monitor, not a television.

I'm using the thunderbolt to hdmi connector and I have the 11'' Air with HD 4000.

If I connect my MBP with the same adapter the image quality is way better on the same monitor and I have lion on the MBP too, so it has to be the HD 4000.

I read that someone solved with a DVI adapter instead of the HDMI but I'd like to be sure about that since I don't want to waste money on another adapter

Same issue for me via direct HDMI connection to my Acer monitor at 1080p. Connected with same cable (miniDP to HDMI) to DVI adapter at a lower resolution works fine on other monitors.

The same problem here

MacBook Air Mid 2012, 128Gb/8Gb RAM

External monitor: AOC i2252vwh, or Acer S221HQL

Adapter: 3 different MiniDisplayPort to HDMI adapters, no luck

+1

Laptop: MacBook Air 11", Mid 2012 128Gb/8Gb (latest OS X Lion with all updates)

External Monitor: LG Flatron E2441v (HDMI input)

Mini-DP to HDMI cable: KanaaN http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004M1PI6E

same Monitor and Laptop with Mini-DP to DVI Adapter: perfect picture

same Monitor with 2010 MBP 13" (also on Lion) and KanaaN Mini-DP to HDMI cable: perfect picture

can confirm that its not the color profile, as the MBP selects the same profile as the MBA does when connected via HDMI.

picture quality doesnt change with the Universal Access contrast-trick as mentioned by someone in the thread.

Even I got the exact same problem. I bought an MDP to DVI and it works great!

Macbook Air 13" 128Gb and 4 gb with Lion

Monitor: BenQ XL2410T

And Moshi MDP to HDMI.

I hope there would be a fix to this soon !

Unfortunately, I am unable to spend the time to hunt this issue down and I'm going to make certain assumptions and active measures:

1. Making a call to Apple to register complaint and notify them of the issue as I bought the MBA to use occassionally as a portable machine; primarily to be used with a monitor
2. Bring to an Apple store to confirm the Apple monitor works properly
3. Bring to Best Buy (or whatever) to test likewise on various monitors

I am not investing any more time connecting to various monitors and testing quality. I will of course report back findings.

Anyone else find anything out?

This is a BIG issue for me too. 6 new airs (11 & 13") and sales team are FUBAR! Here's what I've found:

• This is for the latest 2012 thunderbolt air
• Tried on 2 projectors, 2 screens
• ALL work perfectly on other airs and pro's in the office
• When connecting, I have to test loads of different res/Hz combinations and none work 100%, but 1024/75Hz works to show around 75% of the screen
• Software update (screen patch) didn;t make a difference
• Rebooting (full shut down!) with VGA connected DOES work! On all 4 screens, all 6 airs. This IS a solution for some, but NOT for me; my reps pre-load their browser with 20 screens, and then demo in areas with no 3G coverage. So a reboot kills them.

The encouraging part is that it CAN work, which I think means Apple can patch this. For me I have 6 brand new top of the range Air's that I may as well throw away if this isn't solved soon

Same here. Washed out colors, crappy looking fonts. I'm sure they'll be shocked to find out I would use an external monitor when I have the fancy new retina display lol.

There is no Retina Display on MacBook Air

Nothing gets by you

My macbook pro does, however.

Well since it is a Macbook Air post I thought you had one and thought it had a Retina display...

I am suprised to hear that tho... first time I hear this issue on a MBP Retina. I really hope it is software related.

Link to MBP Retina thread: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4119545