Question about connecting MacBook Air 6,1 to an external monitor

[riptonhilton]

This is my first mac and it is unbelievably great. I was able to get one used after suffering with windows machines because of price.

I would like to hook it up to a 27" monitor. I see it has the thunderbolt output but I don't understand what my options are given the specs.

Can I use any thunderbolt monitor?

Given that the thunderbolt monitor is expensive what type of monitor could/should I use for best results instead and what kind of adapter is required?

Thank you so much in advance. Here are my detailed specs.

Hardware Overview:



Model Name: MacBook Air

Model Identifier: MacBookAir6,1

Processor Name: Intel Core i5

Processor Speed: 1.4 GHz

Number of Processors: 1

Total Number of Cores: 2

L2 Cache (per Core): 256 KB

L3 Cache: 3 MB

Memory: 4 GB

Boot ROM Version: MBA61.0103.B00

SMC Version (system): 2.12f143

Serial Number (system): C02N6FUJG083

Hardware UUID: 6A83D0B9-114F-51BD-9F0A-90324665C01F

Intel HD Graphics 5000:



Chipset Model: Intel HD Graphics 5000

Type: GPU

Bus: Built-In

VRAM (Dynamic, Max): 1536 MB

Vendor: Intel

Device ID: 0x0a26

Revision ID: 0x0009

Metal: Supported, feature set macOS GPUFamily1 v3

Displays:

Color LCD:

Display Type: LCD

Resolution: 1280 x 720

Framebuffer Depth: 24-Bit Color (ARGB8888)

Main Display: Yes

Mirror: Off

Online: Yes

Rotation: Supported

Automatically Adjust Brightness: No

Connection Type: DisplayPort

 

[pigoo3]

I would like to hook it up to a 27" monitor. I see it has the thunderbolt output but I don't understand what my options are given the specs.

The Thunderbolt port also acts as a Mini-Display Port. So what you do is purchase a Mini-Display port to "XYZ" adapter. "XYZ" being the type a cable the external monitor you end up using has (DVI, HDMI, VGA, etc.).

- Nick

 

[Slydude]

Nicks right. I've used adapters and appropriate cables to connect the Thunderbolt ports to DVI, HDMI, and VGA monitors. All have worked well even though two of them are several years old. Upshot is, you can probably use a monitor you already have around the house.