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Apple loves mini stuff; it used Mini-DVI and Micro-DVI on previous versions of Mac and MacBooks. However, for some reasons it didn’t choose Mini-HDMI on this occasion, rather, it went with Mini DisplayPort on the latest Apple computers.

Considering that Mini DisplayPort has rather unusual presence, you probably cannot use your Mac laptop to give a presentation, or output your work project from Mac to a different display, or just share your photos to your friends or family on a bigger screen.

Although there are a few types of Mini DisplayPort adapter, it’s possibly the safest to have a Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapter, because nearly every display, old or new, contains a VGA port. This is especially true if you need to frequently connect your Macbook to a projector to give a presentation. While some new projectors do have HDMI or DVI ports, not all of them do, nevertheless they all include a VGA port.

Using a Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapter, now you can easily output video from your favorite Macbook or laptop to every display. You can:

* Extend or mirror your workstation to a different screen;

* Give presentation to your favorite classmates, students or colleagues with your MacBook or laptop;

* Share videos your friends and family on a bigger external screen or TV.

There are still things you should think about before buying one.

1. Does Your Computer Use Mini DisplayPort?

Some Mac users may not be sure what precisely their video port is. Is it a Mini-DVI, a Micro-DVI, or a Mini DisplayPort?

Well, at this moment, there is only a very short list of products that are utilizing Mini DisplayPort:

* Apple’s latest (2008 or latter) Mac laptop, Mac laptop Air, Macbook Pro 13 inch, 15 inch, and 17 inch;

* Apple’s latest (2008 or latter) Mac, Mac Pro, Mac Mini, iMac, Xserve;

* Toshiba Satellite Pro S500, Tecra M11, A11 and S11 notebooks;

* AMD Radeon HD 5870 Eyefinity 6 Edition with its 6 Mini DisplayPorts;

* Adapters and cables that will work with the above mentioned computers and displays.

To check which port you’ve got, simply Google keywords like “Mini DisplayPort”, “Mini-DVI”, “Micro-DVI”. Since each one does have very distinct appearance, you can easily tell by comparing the photos with the video port on your computer.

2. Supported Video Specifications

A solid Mini DisplayPort-VGA adapter should support 1920×1200, 1080i/p, 720p and all the SD (for example, DVD) resolutions.

This is the basics of the basics. If your Mini DisplayPort adapter won’t support these resolution, it isn’t worth buying at all.

3. Is It Mini DisplayPort v1.1a Compliant?

You will need a v1.1 compliant Mini DisplayPort adapter.

Mini DisplayPort was the Apple’s own standard. Fortunately, Apple now licenses the Mini DisplayPort free-of-charge. Later in 2009, VESA, the maker of DisplayPort specifications, has implemented Mini DisplayPort into DisplayPort v1.1a standard, and it will include Mini DisplayPort in the coming v1.2 specification.

With the free license, other makers can then make inexpensive Mini DisplayPort products. And meeting v1.1a specification makes sure your Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapter can have the best compatibility.

4. Appearances

This is more or less of your personal taste, so use your best judges and pick one you want, which, for instance, matches your Apple computer’s colour and general looks.

Summary

A decent Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapter must have the following elements:

* Matching your computer;

* Support all standard definition and high definition resolutions;

* Compliant with Mini DisplayPort version 1.1a specs;

* Matching your taste.

For those who have checked all these features when deciding which Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapter to buy, you should be in good shape.

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