Adding a 2nd Monitor

My graphics dept. is upgrading from the power pc G5's to the new 27" Intel iMac (so excited!). We work with dual monitors now, and would REALLY like to continue this. Currently we have a 20" Apple monitor as our main screen, and use 15" Viewsonic's as our "tools" monitor. After doing some research, I see that if we also purchase a Mini DisplayPort to Mini DisplayPort Cable, and a Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter, this should let us keep the 20" as our tools monitor, right? Looking for a hand to guide/slap me. whatever the case may be. thanks.

Save yourself (or your school) some cash and go to monoprice.com for a mini-display port to DVI cable.

As typical, monoprice is the first out of the gate yet again.

Video Cable - Display Port

Male to male? i don't need mini male to dvi female?

Also, by keeping my 20" Apple monitor, what do I do with all of the extra USB and Firewire cables attached to the cord/power brick?

3cho7even said:

Male to male? i don't need mini male to dvi female?

Click to expand...

No, this is an all in one adapter and cable available in whatever length you require. There is no need for a separate adapter and cable with this. I am "assuming" your Apple display has DVI and is not one of the older ADC connections.

I checked out the website and saw that it was a male to male cable. Am I missing a step here? My cable:/Users/g2mac5/Desktop/DVICable.jpg

Did that wrong didn't I?
I think I may have found it here though:
Amazon.com: Apple - Video adapter - mini-DVI (M) - DVI-D (F): Electronics
This looks more like what I may need. Anybody?

3cho7even said:

Did that wrong didn't I?
I think I may have found it here though:
Amazon.com: Apple - Video adapter - mini-DVI (M) - DVI-D (F): Electronics
This looks more like what I may need. Anybody?

Click to expand...

Yes, you can pay the $8.49 for the adapter alone. Then you still need the DVI cable (which would be male at both ends) attached between the adapter and the monitor.

Although, I don't really see the idea behind using both an adapter and a cable when you can get an all-in-one adapter/cable for the same price or cheaper than the adapter alone.

3cho7even said:

Did that wrong didn't I?
I think I may have found it here though:
Amazon.com: Apple - Video adapter - mini-DVI (M) - DVI-D (F): Electronics
This looks more like what I may need. Anybody?

Click to expand...

That wouldn't work, as it's a mini-DVI to DVI adaptor. The new iMac does not have a mini-DVI port.

bobtomay has a point, though, in that the fewer adaptors and cables you use, the better things tend to work out.

could someone please point me in the direction of a pic or 2?
I'm waiting for my "AHA!" moment, and I can't seem to grasp this whole male to male thing (at the risk of sounding like a homophobe). My understanding is the new iMac has a FEMALE MiniDisplay Port. My monitor that I have now has a MALE DVI end. And I'm supposed to buy a MALE TO MALE cable?
(frustrating)

Click for full size

All ports on the hardware itself are female. This is industry standard so that there is no worry about breaking or bending a pin on the hardware which could lead to a very expensive repair. The cables have the male ends on them. This is true whether composite (RCA), component, VGA, DVI, HDMI, coax, telephone, data, optical, etc.

If the port on the monitor is indeed DVI and not the old ADC, it should look like something like this - female.

The DVI cable that plugs into it should look something like this - male.

(I say "something like", because there are 3 different types of DVI.)

(and thanks Tech, missed that)

THIS appears to be what I need.
Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter - Apple Store (U.S.)
Listen, I really appreciate everyone's help in this, but I'm done.
I'm gonna' pass this on to someone else. This is obviously too much
for me (which sucks because I THOUGHT I was above average on the Bell-curve of life).
I think I'll wait in line at the Apple Store. Seriously, thanks again.