Do adapters lower the resolutions on monitors?

Question

Do adapters lower the resolutions on monitors?

So I'm thinking of getting a monitor soon for my MacBook because I want to work on a bigger screen, but I noticed that there's no HDMI port on my mac (MacBook Air) and I have an adapter but I was just wondering if using an adapter will compromise or lower the resolution on the monitor.

I'm also asking this because I'm considering a new MacBook Pro (which all have USB-C ports) so I will need to use a adapter for that aswell, and if I do will I lose it's high quality/get a lower resolution when connecting to the monitor via adapter? (Just for the reference I am going to get a 4k monitor and I understand that my MacBook air won't deliver that, but this question is mainly directed to the new MacBook Pros, and if they will keep their resolution through an adapter.).

Posted on Nov 1, 2016 3:46 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Nov 1, 2016 6:41 PM in response to EddieFromStateFarm

Adapters in general do not restrict the resolutions available in any way.

What the Mac spits out natively is the most modern interface -- DisplayPort (or its Mini variant) even in the Thunderbolt or USB-C form factor. This is the most advanced display protocol, and supports the highest resolutions with the least trouble at the lowest Voltages. A display using DisplayPort protocol requires a display with a screen buffer, because the old fashioned "heartbeat" repainting of the screen every 60 to 120 times a second (even if it does not change) is greatly reduced -- a DisplayPort display must hold a copy of the screen.

Adapters allow you to easily get single-Link DVI (up to 1920 wide) or HDMI (up to 1080p). Other protocols require more complex conversions and sometimes more expensive adapters (because their higher-powered signals may require signal re-driver circuitry).

HDMI can be complicated and troublesome above 1920 by 1080p. It's not that it can't be done, you just have to get all the correct special adapters and special cables and every setting on the Mac and the display device just exactly right.

VGA adapters sometimes have limits on their high-end resolution abilities, and may cap the resolution at less than what the Mac can produce on DisplayPort. That is one example where the adapter (changing to Analog VGA) can limit the resolution.

Reply