Adapter for connecting a monitor to a macbook pro. MacBook and external monitor. Connection, configuration and use. Options for connecting a MacBook to a monitor

" As I have written more than once, I do not have a Mac, and I have never worked with it fully. In this regard, it is difficult for me to answer questions about Apple computers - I have to turn to “a friend.” In this regard, I am very grateful to Anatoly, the author of the text below, for the material provided. Although this text is about a specific projector and a specific computer, these steps apply to any projector connected to iMac or Macbook.

In general, as is clear from the title, the task is to connect the projector to the Apple iMac.
Go...

"Connection:

Our option is a mini-DVI - VGA adapter, VGA - VGA cable.

The best and cheaper option is a mini-DVI to HDMI adapter, HDMI to HDMI cable.


OS

IN Windows XP Home Edition, for which we have a perpetual license, the projector responded to all attempts to configure it: “No signal.”

The maximum that was achieved with the settings shown in Fig. 5 - these are presentation demos when in PowerPoint, on the Slide Show tab, in the Show on list, Monitor 3 Default Monitor was selected

This could only be done with the projector connected and turned on. The presentation was shown only on a projector using a keyboard. On the main monitor, the presentation was in editing mode.

IN Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard When I connected the projector, the screen immediately changed its size. Next, select “System Settings” on the desktop (Fig. 7).

In system settings, click on the “Monitors” icon (Fig. 8).

This will cause two main monitor settings dialog boxes to appear. iMac and projector BENQ MX613ST. You can choose the recommended resolution of 1024 x 768 (Fig. 9) or even the maximum 1680 x 1050 on the main monitor and 1600 x 1200 on the projector (Fig. 10).

And in the dialog box that appears, check the “Synchronize monitors” checkbox (Fig. 12).

Since in Windows XP unable to get the projector to work properly, it was decided to install Windows 7 Professional. To do this, I had to first download the update from the Apple website. BootCamp 3.1– utility and driver package for installation Windows on Apple iMac.
After installation Windows 7 and drivers from packages BootCamp 3.0 And BootCamp 3.1 Immediately when I connected the projector, the size of the displayed screen on the monitor changed, but the projector still did not respond. Selecting “Connect projector” in the main menu and clicking on the “Duplicate” button (Fig. 13) did not produce any results.

Using the Toolbar (Fig. 14), I opened the “Setting screen resolution” dialog box (Fig. 15).

When the projector is connected, three screens are displayed there: Color LCD - computer monitor, MX613ST - BENQ projector screen and Universal non-PnP monitor.
Experiments with duplicating and displaying the desktop on the MX613ST projector screen did not yield any results.
By this point, I no longer hoped for anything and, for the sake of self-indulgence, decided to turn on screen 3 by selecting “Multiple screens” in the list: “Duplicate desktop on 1 and 3” (Fig. 16).

The projector came to life, and a full display of the desktop appeared on the interactive whiteboard.
It turned out to be possible to choose not only a resolution of 1024 x 728, but also the maximum possible resolution – 1400 x 1050.”

Komarovsky Anatoly Nikolaevich
Rossoshanskaya boarding school

Thank you Anatoly for your invaluable experience.

All projectors for school and office are in mine.

Looking for a projection calculator? He .

Laptops today have replaced desktop PCs for many. With them you can be as mobile as possible and work anytime and anywhere. Especially when it comes to Macbook Air, which has become a legend thanks to its “airy size” and performance.

How to connect an additional monitor to a MacBook.

Ease of use and portability are great, but there are many situations when it is necessary to display information on a classic monitor or several.

For example:

  • for a more comfortable viewing of movies and cartoons;
  • during presentations and conferences;
  • for simultaneous solution of several tasks. For example, tracking information in several tables at once.

Now that it’s clear why you need to connect a monitor to a MacBook, all that remains is to figure out how to do it correctly.

What you need to connect

An adapter is required to connect the monitor. Which one depends on what model of MacBook you have. In the latest line, devices have a Thunderbolt port, older ones have Mini DisplayPort, and the very “ancient” ones have Mini-DVI. Some models also have an HDMI connector. The second thing you need to check before choosing the right adapter or cable is the connector on the monitor to which the connection will be made.

What is the difference between an adapter and an adapter?

The adapter cable has an extremely simple function: it connects two connectors of different configurations, transmitting signals from one contact to another according to a certain pattern. The adapter acts on the signal itself, changing it as needed.

As a result, you may need:

Adapters:

  • Mini DisplayPort - VGA;
  • Mini DisplayPort - DVI.
  • Apple HDMI - HDMI;
  • Belkin Mini DisplayPort - HDMI.

This set will be enough to connect your MacBook Air to most monitors. The undoubted convenience is that any of them can be purchased on the Apple website. If you want to save money, you can buy cheaper analogues in regular online stores, but their quality may also be noticeably lower. A common mistake is buying a DisplayPort adapter when you need a Mini DisplayPort - watch this carefully.

MacBook Airs released before 2011 did not support HDMI audio, so an adapter or adapter must provide this feature. If we are talking about connecting the latest Apple Cinema or Thunderbolt displays, then you won’t have to buy anything additional, since they already have built-in cables with the necessary connectors, plus you can charge the laptop from the monitor via MagSafe.

Operating modes

It is not enough to simply connect a monitor to a MacBook Air laptop; you also need to choose the right operating mode for it.

There are only three options:

  • video replay of monitors;
  • extended desktop;
  • lid closed mode (system unit).

This mode is the most popular. Its essence is extremely simple. The monitor completely duplicates the image from the MacBook display. This is the very option that is needed for presentations and working with a projector. The limitation is that the resolution of the connected screen cannot be greater than that of the MacBook.

Don't have enough laptop screen space to accommodate all the necessary tabs? The problem can be solved very easily by expanding it by connecting an external monitor. When desktop mode is activated, you can work on two monitors simultaneously. In this case, the main screen is set in the settings, on which the menu bar will be located.

Note. For OS X Mavericks and later, the menu bar will appear on both screens.

Now the additional monitor will become a continuation of the main one and you can simply drag objects between them with the mouse. In any of the main monitor options, you can use a trackpad or laptop keyboard to enter information.

Setting up advanced mode

Sequencing:

  • connect an additional monitor;
  • select system settings in the menu;
  • go to the “Monitors” section;
  • select the "Location" tab.
  • The item “Enable video repeat of monitors” should be disabled (no checkbox).

How to set display layouts

In order to make working on two screens as comfortable as possible, you need to adjust their relative position so that the windows between them move either vertically or horizontally to one side. This is not difficult to do. On the “location” tab you can see a schematic arrangement in the form of blue rectangles, and their size will be proportional to the resolution. By dragging the rectangles with the mouse, you can set the desired location.

System unit

At a stationary workplace in the office or at home, you can use the MacBook Air as the system book of a regular PC. To activate the mode, just put your MacBook into sleep mode and close its lid.

Since there will obviously be no access to the keyboard, in addition to an additional monitor, you will have to purchase a mouse and an external keyboard. It is recommended to connect a charger so that the battery does not run out at the most inopportune moment. OS X in its default settings does not support waking from sleep when commanded from devices via Bluetooth. Therefore, you need to activate this option in advance.

Is it possible to connect a TV

Yes. To quickly connect a modern HDTV or Apple TV, add a status menu and designate the connected device as the main device. A selection menu will appear when connected; to do this, you need to check the box “Show video replay options in the menu bar, if available” in the settings. After this, you can watch your favorite movies and any video from your MacBook on the big screen.

How to connect 2 monitors to Macbook Air

If one additional monitor is not enough for you and you need to connect two to your MacBook, then there will be no problems only with new models that have Thunderbolt and an HDMI port. Some MacBook Airs have 2 Thunderbolts at once, so theoretically you can connect not 2, but 3 additional monitors to it at once, although the performance will drop significantly, which will be very noticeable when running different videos on each. For older models, you will have to come up with “collective farm” solutions, and if you manage to connect two monitors, it will be in video replay mode, and not in desktop extension mode.

What they say at Apple

There are several official documents regarding connecting external monitors to the latest models of the MakBook Pro line. They talk about connecting monitors with 4K and 5K resolution via a USB Type-C connector. Thus, the 15-inch MacBook Pro can work with two additional 5K monitors or four at once with a 4K resolution. But for 13-inch models the quantity is 2 times less. The company also confirmed support for the Dell UP2715K monitor with a 5K resolution and a 27-inch diagonal.

Conclusion

Many users are not even aware of how convenient it is to work on multiple monitors at once, since they have never tried it. Meanwhile, the efficiency of work, when primary, active tasks are displayed on one monitor, and everything secondary is displayed on the other - chats, monitoring, etc., is several times higher. Especially if you use programs like Mission Control, which make managing applications on different screens even more convenient.

Learn how to connect an additional monitor to your MacBook Air using our tips and enjoy the results. If you have any questions or technical problems, write about it in the comments and we will help you solve them.

Can't connect external monitor! The MacBook doesn't see it, but the PC detects it via VGA
Mac Book Pro 13" Early 2011 OS X 10.9.5 (13F34)
Dell P2714Hc monitor (DVI, DP and VGA output) I'm trying to connect via Display Port, on a MacBook thunderbolt
HE branded adapter (in the picture) 3 in 1 and the included cord from the DP-DP monitor.

Situation: turn on the monitor, select the connection port in the menu. While nothing is connected to the proprietary Display Port cable, the monitor immediately says “No Display Port Cable” and says that it will go into power saving mode in 5 minutes.
As soon as I connect the adapter to the cable, the monitor says “entering power save mode” and immediately goes into hibernation.
When I connect the adapter with the monitor to the computer in the following way - the cable from the Monica to the adapter, and the adapter itself into the computer connector, a blue screen turns on on the computer monitor for 1 second and again shows the usual picture
The big monique does not react in any way and does not come out of hibernation.
In the system settings in the MacBook in the monitor tab there is no way to select or change anything. As far as I know, the “location” tab should appear and there should be settings for the external monitor, but it doesn’t exist.
1 time the computer said that it did not reflect the tab to me because it did not see the monitor.

The following is interesting: If I remove the cable from the port from the adapter, that is, I break the connection not in the computer port, but between the adapter and the monitor’s proprietary cable, the monitor again writes “No Display Port Cable” and says that it will go into power saving mode in 5 minutes.

Is the problem with the adapter or the system? What's happening?
I dug into troubleshooting in English, something is becoming clearer in the fact that there are active and passive adapters, and also in the fact that I should apparently have one male-male cable, and not like the male-female adapter that goes into the computer now, actually, and then the monitor is already male-male, since my computer (MacBook Pro early 2011) is equipped with a thunderbolt that supports one connection in the circuit. I think I read somewhere in this article http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT5219 I don’t know if the guesses are correct. I'm a new Apple user so there are a lot of spaces.
UPD: I decided to understand if there is a difference in what to connect through. By and large, the differences between Display Port and DVI-D ports are as follows:
1. DP has more bandwidth. DisplayPort 1.2 has a maximum data transfer rate of 21.6 Gbps
Single-Link DVI transmits a video signal with a resolution of up to 1920x1080 pixels, a frequency of 60 Hz and 8 bits per color component, Dual-Link allows transmission of 2560x1600 at a frequency of 60 Hz, but already 3840x2400 pixels under the same conditions for Dual-Link Link DVI is not available. Although DisplayPort's maximum capabilities are slightly higher than Dual-Link DVI's, only 2560x2048 pixels at 60 Hz and 8 bits per color channel, it does have support for 10-bit color per channel at 2560x1600 resolution , as well as 12 bit for 1080p. (from here http://www.ixbt.com/video3/guide/guide-04.shtml)
2. DP can simultaneously transmit audio
3. DP is a more universal, open and pervasive standard.

It's decided!
I bought a DVI - DVI cable for testing at Chip and Deep and plugged it into the same adapter, only into a different socket (I have a 3 in 1 adapter) since I replaced the first same adapter (with the same one, because I thought that the first one was defective ) and the Display Port did not work in both, and suddenly DVI started working, then most likely there is something wrong in the DP socket of the monitor or in the supplied DP-DP cord. Well, either there was a buggy DP socket in both adapters in a row.
brain explosion and time wasted instead of work) how good it is that there is support on the net! Thank you.

Updated: 10/23/2018

Apple technology has become more and more popular lately. We will not consider the reasons for this trend in this article, but we will still note that customers ordering increasingly want to use rented equipment in conjunction with an iMac, macbook, iPad or iPhone. There are several connection methods; let’s look at them in more detail.

Connecting a MacBook or iMac using cables

Option 1. Using a USB-C to HDMI (or VGA) adapter

Since 2015, Apple has been using a USB Type-C connector in laptops. Through one such connector, both USB peripherals and display devices, for example, video projectors, and even a laptop charger are connected. The first device with such a connector was the Macbook 12”. Currently, USB-C can be found in current iMac, macbook models and their pro versions.


USB type-C to HDMI adapter


USB type-C to VGA adapter

Apple offers 2 versions of the original USB type-C adapters - in one case a full-size HDMI video output, in the other - analog VGA. You can confidently recommend non-original accessories only if you are satisfied with the video signal resolution not exceeding FullHD (1920x1080).

Option 2. Using a mini-DVI to VGA adapter

Although the image is successfully output to a video projector, it is worth remembering that in this case we are dealing with an analog video signal, with all its advantages and disadvantages. This option is not recommended for resolutions above XGA (1024x768) and, if possible, you should use a short, high-quality VGA cable to reduce noise and loss of video quality in the cable. Apple stopped using the miniDVI connector more than 10 years ago, incl. it can only be found in older products.


VGA (D-Sub)


miniDVI to VGA adapter

Option 3. Using a mini-DVI to HDMI adapter

In this case, the video signal is transmitted digitally and the image quality is much higher. It is permissible to use resolutions up to FullHD. However, as already mentioned, miniDVI has long been outdated and the performance of devices equipped with such a connector is low - working with a high-definition video signal will be uncomfortable.


HDMI cable


miniDVI to HDMI adapter

Option 4. Using a mini Display Port to HDMI (or VGA) adapter

At one time promising, the miniDisplayPort connector replaced miniDVI and demonstrated the company's desire to make its devices even more compact. HDMI was not suitable not only for its size, but also for the high licensing fees for its use. Now you can encounter two versions of the mDP connector - one of them is a hardware Thunderbolt interface, the other is not.


For the user, this means in the first case the possibility of a digital connection using an mDP - HDMI adapter, in the second - only an analog mDP - VGA. Interestingly, the analog connection also works with Thunderbolt. Next to the connector there is usually an icon in the form of a lightning bolt - for Thunderbolt and in the form of a schematically depicted monitor - for the analog version.


Differences in connector markings


Thunderbolt to HDMI adapter

miniDisplayPort to VGA adapter

Setting up your MacBook or iMac software to work with your video projector


As a rule, no additional software configuration is required - Apple computers are able to independently detect that a video projector is connected to them.


And only in exceptional cases may manual control be required. Attention! The images below may vary slightly from those on your Apple device due to differences in operating system and/or hardware version. You need to go to “System Preferences” in the Dock of the launcher, and then click on the “Displays” icon:


After this, two settings dialog boxes will appear - for the main monitor and for the video projector, where we can select the resolution that will be used in the future.

Click on the “Arrangement” button and check the box next to “Mirror Displays”.

Those. everything that happens on your computer screen will be projected by the projector onto its screen.

The Lightning adapter can be used starting from iPad 4, iPad mini, iPhone 5, iPod Touch 5th generation and more modern ones. In parallel with duplicating the video signal, using some versions of such an adapter, you can also charge the gadget so that the presentation does not suddenly stop due to a low battery.


Lightning to HDMI adapter


AV 30 pin connector to HDMI adapter

Apple produces the original Lightning to HDMI adapter, and alternative manufacturers also produce them. In addition to HDMI, there are also Lightning to VGA adapters on the market.

If you use an HDMI adapter, it is possible to transmit both video and audio signals to the projector.

In order to connect older iPad, iPhone or iPod models to the video projector, you need to use a different adapter with a 30-pin AV connector (see image above), since they are not equipped with the Lightning interface. This adapter may have an HDMI, VGA or DVI output.

Setting up software to work with Apple iPad, iPhone

  1. In order for your iPad (iPhone or iPod) to work correctly with video projection equipment, you must install a special program. The most thoughtful and supports a wide range of devices is 2Screens - Presentation Expert. Install this program and follow these steps:
  2. Turn off the projection device. It also does not have to be connected to your gadget.
  3. Launch the 2Screens - Presentation Expert program.
  4. Select one of the pictures in the application that will be projected on the screen.
  5. Connect your iPad/iPhone/iPod to the projector and turn on the latter

Make sure that the program has found your video hardware and that the image is actually being projected onto the screen. If not, make sure the cable is well connected to the appropriate connectors.

Conclusion

Users, especially those who love computer games, are interested in the question: can the iMac be used as a monitor? The answer is simple, you can. Many will say that for these purposes you can buy a separate external monitor, instead of using a full-fledged computer. A full-fledged Apple monitor with a high resolution will cost around 42 thousand rubles, while on an iMac you will spend from 80 thousand. At the same time, for 80 thousand you will get a full-fledged powerful computer with an excellent screen. There is no need to buy anything if you already have an old version of the all-in-one that has been left idle.

iMac can be used as a peripheral monitor for Apple devices, because it has a high screen resolution. You need to put the device into peripheral display mode. This mode makes it possible to use the all-in-one PC to display images from another device.

Connecting iMac to Mac

In order to establish a connection you will need:

  • Mac computer or laptop. The device must have a Thunderbolt connector. If you don't have one, Mini DisplayPort will do. If your equipment is equipped with a Thunderbolt 3 port adapted for USB - C, use a special Thunderbolt 3 (USB - C) / Thunderbolt 2 adapter from Apple.
  • Thunderbolt or Mini DisplayPort cable.
  • An iMac that the user plans to connect as an external monitor. The operating system must be OS X 10.6.1 or later.

Not every candy bar model can be connected as a peripheral screen. Only models can be connected: iMac with a diagonal of 27″, Late 2009 and Mid 2010. The connection uses a Mini DisplayPort or Thunderbolt connector. To establish a connection, you will need a Mini DisplayPort to Mini DisplayPort cable. All-in-one PCs with a release date from mid-2011 to mid-2014 are connected. The Thunderbolt port and cable of the same name are used for connection.

Turn on the all-in-one PC that will be connected as a display. Sign in to your macOS account on another device. Connect the cable to the connectors. After the connection is made, simultaneously press the “F2” + “Command” buttons on the input panel of the peripheral PC. The display will show the operating screen of the second device. To complete the docking process, hold down the “F2” + “Command” buttons.

If "F2" + "Command" doesn't work

If pressing the buttons does not start displaying the screen of another computer, do the following:

  • Check if your model supports peripheral monitor mode.
  • Switching to this mode is possible if you have logged into your macOS account on the second PC.
  • Check the functionality of the keyboard. Use only your native keyboard. With a third-party input panel, commands may fail to execute.
  • If in the “keyboard” section of the system settings there is a checkmark next to the item “Using the “F1”, “F2” and ...” keys, simultaneously hold down the “Command” + “Fn” + “F2” buttons.
  • Check the accuracy of the devices connected via cable. Check if the cable is working properly. If you find creases, twists, or bare areas, replace the cord with a working one.
  • For PC Windows, the peripheral screen mode does not work. The iMac must run on macOS.

How to disable the mode?

To exit, disconnect the cable, or simultaneously hold down the “F2” + “Command” buttons on the input device of the computer connected as a monitor. Disconnection will occur automatically when one of the computers is turned off. The same thing will happen when one of the devices goes into sleep mode.

Settings

To fully use your iMac as a peripheral display, you'll need to make additional adjustments to your screen settings. Use a second PC to adjust the brightness of the external screen. In system settings, open the “monitors” section. You can also adjust the brightness level on the candy bar itself through the input panel (brightness control buttons).

To play sound through the monoblock speakers, open the system settings on the “main” PC and go to the “sound” section. In the section, specify audio playback via iMac. You can adjust the volume using the volume keys from the main PC.

You can connect 2 devices as an external screen. Computers must be connected via Thunderbolt ports and special Thunderbolt cables . The aimaks are not connected sequentially in a chain, but only to the main device via Mini DisplayPort or Thunderbolt port . There is a limit on quantity. All processes that are running on the iMac, which you connect as a peripheral monitor, remain in background activity during screen mode.

How to connect PS4 to iMac?

You can connect your PS4 to your iMac using the ExtremeCap U3 capture card. With its help, the user can even record games. For the device to work correctly, you need to download the firmware for ExtremeCap U3 from the official website. A high-resolution monitor is perfect for gameplay. Resolution plays a big role for very dynamic games, such as fighting games.

If the user encounters a slight delay, lowering the graphics level to 720 p will help. The user will find instructions on how to use and connect the gadget in the device package. You can also use the capture card to connect the set-top box to your TV. The cost of ExtremeCap U3 ranges from 10 thousand rubles.

Connecting iMac to TV

You can use Apple TV, but it's not required. Display the image of the candy bar screen on a TV monitor without an additional gadget. The resolution of the computer display is high, but watching movies on a larger screen is more enjoyable. To connect your PC to your TV you need a Thunderbolt, Mini-DVI or Mini DisplayPort connector. Need Thunderbolt/Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter supportive sound. HDMI cable and TV with HDMI connector.

Follow the connection sequence:

  • Connect the Thunderbolt to HDMI adapter to your PC, then connect the HDMI cable to it. Connect to TV.
  • Start your PC.
  • Turn on the TV and use the remote control to select the HDMI image transmission interface.

Mirror display broadcasting (one image on two displays) is disabled in the system settings in the “monitors” section. To adjust sound settings, go to the “sound” section. In the “output” subsection, set the audio output via HDMI. You can scale the display using hotkeys after studying them in the “universal access” section.