Macbook Pro - External Dell Monitor

Question

Macbook Pro - External Dell Monitor

I have been researching external monitors for use with my (2011) Macbook Pro and have read a lot of positives from Apple users about the Dell Ultrasharp monitors.

I purchased the Dell S2340 (23") and have it connected through a Rocketfish Mini Display port VGA adapter. The picture quality on the monitor looks very good, very sharp, good colors etc., However, there are these tracking/fuzzy lines that show up on the monitor display while in use, like the image data isn't being transfered quickly enough. I'm not sure if this problem is the monitor or the adapter, or both?

I figured dowloading the drivers for the monitor would solve the problem, but the drivers only support Windows, not Mac. Is anyone else having this issue with their Dell monitor? Its a very nice monitor and I would really like to keep it if I can get this problem solved.

thanks,

Aaron

MacBook Pro, iOS 6.1.4, Dell External Monitor

Posted on Jun 10, 2013 8:20 AM

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Answer 1

Jun 10, 2013 1:44 PM in response to AaronPerspective

What inputs does the monitor have besides VGA? VGA is the worst choice. What is the native resolution of the monitor? You should use either DVI or Dual DVI adapters depending on the native resolution.

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Answer 2

Jun 10, 2013 2:42 PM in response to BobTheFisherman

It has a DVI input also. Maximum resultion of 1920 x 1080

Here is the product:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/23%22+Widescreen+Flat-Panel+IPS+LED+HD+Monitor/68149 43.p?id=1218807855013&skuId=6814943&st=dell%20monitor&cp=1&lp=7#tab=overview

What about going with a monitor with HDMI? Would that be even better than VGI?

thanks

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Answer 3

Jun 10, 2013 3:56 PM in response to AaronPerspective

If the monitor has an HDMI input you can use an HDMI cable. You could also use a minidisplay port to DVI adapter and a DVI cable. Either will be better than using VGA. The reason VGA is not so good is that VGA is an analog signal. HDMI and DVI are digital. The VGA takes a digital signal from your computer and changes it to analog.

I just checked out the specifications for the product at your link. It appears that monitor does not have an HDMI input so HDMI will not work. It does have a DVI-D input though.

From the specs for your monitor:

VGA Input	Yes
DVI-D Input	Yes
DVI-D with HDCP Input	No
HDMI Input	No

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Answer 4

Jun 10, 2013 4:05 PM in response to BobTheFisherman

Thanks for the advice! I will give DVI-D a shot and report back.

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Answer 5

goetschy

Level 1

0 points

Nov 8, 2013 4:10 AM in response to AaronPerspective

And does the monitor work without driver? I'm in the same case, I have a Macbook Pro and I would like to buy a touchscreen monitor.

Is the S2340 a good one?

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Answer 6

Tupling

Level 1

4 points

Dec 28, 2013 4:58 PM in response to AaronPerspective

I currently run the Dell 2340M monitor on my MBP 15 Late 2011 model. I am using the Apple miniDisplay to VGA adapter and have not had any issues with image quality or fuzziness. My recommendation is to fork out the extra cash for the Apple adapter.

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