Can MacBook Air (2012) handle 1920x1080 resolution on external display?

Question

rob_adams87 Author

Level 1

0 points

Can MacBook Air (2012) handle 1920x1080 resolution on external display?

Hi there,

I was currently thinking about buying the following external display:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/LG-E2251VR-inch-Widescreen-Monitor/dp/B0060LCBTG/ref=cm_ cr_pr_product_top

I have read mixed things about connecting macbooks to external displays so wanted to ask the following:

1. Firstly can the MacBook air 2012 handle an external monitor with resolution 1920 x 1080 @ 60Hz?

2. Secondly, I have heard some Macbooks, with some cables (predominantly HDMI), don't give the option of 1920x1080 when plugged in, instead cap it at around 1600 leaving the external screen blurry. Which connection is best to get the full 1080p resolution, DVI, VGA or HDMI?

Thanks for any help you guys can offer!

Rob

MacBook Air, Mac OS X (10.7.4), Mid-2012

Posted on Jul 10, 2012 5:36 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Jul 10, 2012 6:21 PM in response to rob_adams87

The MacBook Air works with the Thunderbolt Display which is well above 1080p. So the MacBook Air can definatly pump out that kind of resoultion. Hope this helps!

Reply

Answer 2

captfred

Level 7

26,422 points

Jul 10, 2012 6:33 PM in response to rob_adams87

Most of the display issues I've read about were with the 11" model. Assuming 13" then

1) Yes. If you get a higher density monitor you can even go higher with a MiniDisplay port or Thunderbolt connection.

2) All three should work, I've had good luck with HDMI.

Reply

Answer 3

rob_adams87 Author

Level 1

0 points

Jul 11, 2012 4:52 AM in response to captfred

Thanks for your responses!

Captfred - I've tried plugging it into my friends screen now using my minidisplay to HDMI cable and the following options show up:

1080i

1080p

720p

1600x1400

1440x900

etc etc

Is the 1080p option 1920x1080? If I choose the 1080p option, the resolution looks nice and has large real estate on there, the only thing is if I full screen it the top and bottom are cut off? Is this a problem with the aspect ratio of the screen do you think?

Thanks again

Reply

Answer 4

captfred

Level 7

26,422 points

Jul 11, 2012 5:11 AM in response to rob_adams87

Use 1080i or 1080p depending on which the monitor supports. Yes, it's 1920x1080.

There should be an "underscan" slider in the System Preferences > Displays that appears on the second monitor. Slide this to reduce the image size so that you can see the menubar and dock without cut off.

Reply