SlashGear Japan
The new Apple MacBook and MacBook Pro are just crying out to be used with the equally new 24-inch Cinema Display, but what if you’re perfectly happy (and who wouldn’t be?) with your existing 30-inch Cinema Display? Apple has switched to Mini DisplayPort on their latest computing hardware, but the older LCD uses a DVI port. No problem, Apple has your back… as long as you give them $99 for the adapter cable.
Your $99 gets you a chunky box seemingly powered by a separate USB connection, which lets you run your 30-inch Cinema Display at up to 2560 x 1600 resolution. You’ll also have to make do with, at most, the MacBook Pro’s 15-inch screen for a while; the adapter doesn’t ship for another 4-5 weeks.
Now you could argue that, in the grand scheme of Apple hardware, 99 bucks isn’t a huge amount – certainly not compared to the $1,299 minimum for one of their new notebooks. However you could also argue that, after spending all that money, it would be nice to get a cable in the box or, at least, have it subsidized a little so all those loyal Apple customers don’t get screwed when the ports change. I’ve no doubt there are people from both schools of thought reading this, so let me know in the comments which side of the fence you sit on.
[via I4U]
7 Responses to “Apple 30-inch Cinema Display needs $99 cable to play with new MacBooks”
Wayne October 16, 2008
I’ve been using Macs since the days of the Mac Plus. Yes, it is frustrating when Apple evolves their hardware and you are left essentially unsupported. But, would any of us Mac users want to go back to the days of SCSI? Or 3.5-inch floppies? Or 60-lb. CRTs? Each change creates ‘problems’ for existing users, but the new products are better and each user has to decide when to jump in. I’m still using a 15-inch PowerBook G4. I couldn’t decide whether to get an iMac and continue using my old PowerBook, or upgrade the PowerBook to a MacBook Pro. The new MacBooks have made that decision easy. I’ll get a 15-in. MacBook Pro and the new display. I’m still not sold on the extra $600 for less than half the storage of the standard hard drive, however.
NeutralJaclyn October 17, 2008
I agree with Wayne that the way Apple is constantly evolving and upgrading is what makes Apple Apple, but I have the last version of the MacBook Pro and don’t have a display yet. I was wanting to buy the new 24″ display, which looks great, but now I’ve been told that you need the NEW MacBook Pro to be able to use it? Could I use an adapter cord to use my 2006 MacBook Pro with the new 24″ display? I don’t exactly want to pay MORE for one of the outdated screens, but I’m also not in the market for a new MacBook Pro yet…..
NeutralChris Davies October 18, 2008
Hi Jaclyn,
Looking at the cable description, it seems pretty adament that it will only work with the new MacBook, MacBook Pro and MacBook Air with Mini DisplayPort sockets, not any other Apple notebook. There doesn’t appear to be a cable that takes DVI and converts it to Mini DisplayPort, suggesting that Apple don’t intend the 24″ Cinema Display to be backward compatible in that way.
Sorry about that – but maybe watch eBay to see if an older display turns up?
+1Tyler October 19, 2008
Market evolution isnt bad but they are ripping us off. There is no way that a couple rerouted copper cables and some plastic casing costs a hundred bucks. Some times I dont see why people like Apple so much when they make moves like this. They are going to have as many “fans” as Microsoft if they keep doing this.
Neutraljon October 21, 2008
Ive been using Macs for some time as well(since OS 8.6 & 9). I have to agree that Mac has offer real Mac users ,not “Apple fashion fan” with great strides in technology and strong cleanly design computers, but the new macs seem to be leaning more and more toward Windows. By Windows I mean ripping you off. Aside from money I can’t think of any reason why apple would release many of it more recent half baked product. It almost make me want make a crazy Hackintosh box and call it a day.
12inPbook G4
NeutralJeremy Hitchcock December 2, 2008
I don’t mind the price but that wait is kinda silly.
NeutralPaul January 4, 2009
Well let me chime in on this one…… I bought a Macbook Pro late 2007 edition with the 30 inch cinema display. With this combination I get full resolution on both displays. Now I just purchased the new Macbook Pro late 2008 edition with this wonderfully new mini display port, and I can only get upto 1280×800? I bought an adapter cable to make this thing go from DVI to mini-Display, and I thought that was all I needed. I am sorry, but Apple dropped the ball on this one if what I am reading here is true. I am actually considering returning the new MacBook Pro to keep my older one since I get the full resolution on both displays with my older Macbook
+1