MacBook - DisplayPort to TV (30" Maximum?!)

iDev · iDev #1 (**permalink**)

01-15-2009, 01:54 AM

Considering a switch (from PC) to new Macbook: Either white Macbook or the base model aluminum 13.3" Macbook.

On the Mac website (Apple - MacBook - Graphics - Powerful NVIDIA graphics with up to five times the performance) it suggests that the aluminum Macbook can only drive a 30" display (max) from the DisplayPort.

Two Questions:

1) Does this mean that it will only utilize 30" of a larger display (such as a 52" LCD TV)?

2) Is this also true of the white Macbook?

If true, it's the only thing that will be the deal breaker--Say it ain't so!

THeBadMonkey · THeBadMonkey #2 (**permalink**)

01-15-2009, 02:29 AM

It is to do with the resolution of the display not the size. The apple 30" displays have an enormous resolution where as a tv is still about 1280 x 968 or something similar.

Long and short I run my black macbook through a 32" phillips screen with no problems at all.

B&O · B&O #3 (**permalink**)

01-15-2009, 08:09 AM

TV runs at about 1920x1080 but the apple 30" is about 3 times that. Don't worry, I have been powering my 40" for about 3 years on Macs and my MBP (uni) powers it just fine.

iDev · iDev #4 (**permalink**)

01-15-2009, 01:08 PM

Thanks for the input, but does this apply for certain to the CURRENT Macbooks? That 30" caveat may be prominently advertised for a reason.

TheInvsbleMan · TheInvsbleMan #5 (**permalink**)

01-15-2009, 01:22 PM

Check the resolution of your TV then see if the Graphics card in the Macbook supports that resolution.

I use my Macbook Pro with my 46" Sharp Aquos and it works fine.

The limitation only comes into play with resolution, the Macbook should have no problem using a TV as mentioned above but feel free to check it.

bobtomay · bobtomay #6 (**permalink**)

01-15-2009, 02:54 PM

As the others have already stated , it has nothing to do with the size (30") it has to do with the resolution capability.

The 30" that Apple mentions is in reference to computer displays of that size which typically will have a resolution of 2560 x 1600. They are confirming that the video card in the Macbook does indeed support this high resolution for those that may already have a high end display. You can confirm this yourself by looking at the "Graphics and Video Support" section on this page.

It will have no problem with a TV, who's current "best" resolution is 1920 x 1080 whether it's a 21" or a 90".

(Some TV's are created better than others when it comes to connecting a computer up to them.)

THeBadMonkey #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Sep 22, 2008 Location: Leeds Posts: 108 Mac Specs: Black Macbook: 2.4 ghz dual core 4gb Ram 250gb Hdd	01-15-2009, 02:29 AM It is to do with the resolution of the display not the size. The apple 30" displays have an enormous resolution where as a tv is still about 1280 x 968 or something similar. Long and short I run my black macbook through a 32" phillips screen with no problems at all. Has Anyone seen my Clue Bannana?
	QUOTE Thanks

bobtomay #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 22, 2006 Location: Texas, where else? Posts: 22,031 Mac Specs: 15" MBP 2.33 C2D 256 4GB, MBA 13" i7 1.8, MB 2.0 2GB, Nano 4th, 3GS, iPad 1	01-15-2009, 02:54 PM As the others have already stated , it has nothing to do with the size (30") it has to do with the resolution capability. The 30" that Apple mentions is in reference to computer displays of that size which typically will have a resolution of 2560 x 1600. They are confirming that the video card in the Macbook does indeed support this high resolution for those that may already have a high end display. You can confirm this yourself by looking at the "Graphics and Video Support" section on this page. It will have no problem with a TV, who's current "best" resolution is 1920 x 1080 whether it's a 21" or a 90". (Some TV's are created better than others when it comes to connecting a computer up to them.) I cannot be held responsible for the things that come out of my mouth. In the Windows world, most everything folks don't understand is called a virus.
	QUOTE Thanks

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Mini DisplayPort Adapters Up	skywavesli	Apple Notebooks	1	01-30-2009 04:56 PM
New MBP- Firewire and Displayport Help	randomfactor	Apple Notebooks	0	11-25-2008 08:22 PM
maximum open network connections? BT related	wingk1314	OS X - Operating System	2	01-31-2008 10:08 PM
New Graphic card for 30" screen and dell 30" screen	hippy.green	Apple Desktops	1	08-23-2006 05:41 PM
Maximum HD Capacity on a Power Mac G4 (AGP Graphics)	t_a_o	Apple Desktops	2	08-16-2006 06:28 PM

MacBook - DisplayPort to TV (30" Maximum?!)

Internet Services

Web Development

Digital Marketing

Consumer Tech

iDev #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 15, 2009 Posts: 2	01-15-2009, 01:54 AM Considering a switch (from PC) to new Macbook: Either white Macbook or the base model aluminum 13.3" Macbook. On the Mac website (Apple - MacBook - Graphics - Powerful NVIDIA graphics with up to five times the performance) it suggests that the aluminum Macbook can only drive a 30" display (max) from the DisplayPort. Two Questions: 1) Does this mean that it will only utilize 30" of a larger display (such as a 52" LCD TV)? 2) Is this also true of the white Macbook? If true, it's the only thing that will be the deal breaker--Say it ain't so!
	QUOTE Thanks

iDev #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 15, 2009 Posts: 2	01-15-2009, 01:08 PM Thanks for the input, but does this apply for certain to the CURRENT Macbooks? That 30" caveat may be prominently advertised for a reason.
	QUOTE Thanks

TheInvsbleMan #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Jun 05, 2007 Location: Ypsilanti, MI Posts: 274 Mac Specs: 15" MBP 2.4GHz 4GB, iPod Classic 120GB	01-15-2009, 01:22 PM Check the resolution of your TV then see if the Graphics card in the Macbook supports that resolution. I use my Macbook Pro with my 46" Sharp Aquos and it works fine. The limitation only comes into play with resolution, the Macbook should have no problem using a TV as mentioned above but feel free to check it.
	QUOTE Thanks

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)