Customer Reviews

Mini-DVI to DVI-D Adapter Cable for Apple Mac

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

I purchased this for my April 2010 MBP but it did not fit. No foul from the seller but if you're looking for an adaptor for your newer MBP you want a "mini display port" to dvi.

I already have the 'real' Apple adapter but needed a second one for my home office. This is EXACTLY like the Apple one. Upon close examination, the plastic molds and connectors look like they came from the same factory. The cable looks the same except it doesn't have the writing that is on the Apple cable. Even the package looks like Apple's- plastic bag with flat black cardboard seal. This is either a great Chinese knock-off (although they're all from China anyway) or it's simply an unlabeled version of the exact same cable.

BTW, for the first few weeks the connector was a bit harder to push in than my old one. And now that I remember, my old one was like this too when it was new. So give it a few weeks and it will 'click' much smoother.

Before you buy this, please make sure you are getting the right connector. If you are unsure, read the "ABOUT DVI" section below. Also make sure that the Mini-DVI port on your computer is actually a Mini-DVI port and not a DisplayPort. Big difference.

No, this is not a genuine Apple product, but it doesn't claim to be. However, if you put it side by side with a genuine Apple Mini-DVI to DVI, you'd have a hard time telling the difference. It seems to be very well made, and I have experienced no connection problems. I used it with a DVI-to-HDMI cable to hook my girlfriend's MacBook to her TV. We use it all the time to watch Netflix, and the picture quality is always great. Neither of us have any complaints, and she thought it was from the Apple store until I told her it wasn't.

The bottom line is that this thing will do the same job as the near-identical product you find at the Apple store. So unless you just really like Apple and want to contribute money to the company, you should buy this connector.

ABOUT DVI:
If you don't want any of the technical mumbo-jumbo, the bottom line is make sure that your monitor/tv/projector has an HDMI, DVI-D, or DVI-I input. If it has a VGA input, you don't want this product (instead, search Amazon for a Mini-DVI to VGA adapter). If you don't know what those inputs look like, head over to Wikipedia. Read on if you like technical mumbo-jumbo...

There are three main types of DVI connections: DVI-A, DVI-D, and DVI-I. DVI-A (A for analog) isn't used much from what I've seen, so not much need to worry about it.

This product is a dual-link DVI-D adapter, so it connects to a DVI-D cable. The 'D' stands for 'digital.' That means you can use this adapter to connect to other digital cables. For example, this adapter will work if you connect it to a DVI-to-HDMI adapter/cable. It will NOT work if you try to connect it to an analog cable, for example with a DVI-D-to-VGA adapter. Just because all the pieces fit together, doesn't mean it's going to work.

This product will NOT connect to a DVI-I cable. The 'I' stands for 'integrated.' That means it can provide either a digital or analog signal. This is ideal, since it allows you to connect to VGA or HDMI, but I don't think MiniDVI-to-DVI-I can be made (probably part of the reason they switched to display port instead of DVI on the newer MacBooks.) While it is possible to get a DVI-D to DVI-I adapter, that doesn't change the fact that this product only provides digital signals. In other words, you can't go MiniDVI to DVI-D to DVI-I to VGA. That's a no-no.

This looks like the real deal, however it is not. My connector has a bad connection. The monitor will flicker, or certain colors will go out while the cable is connected. If i prop up the cable so that its at an angle it works better, but I'm not sure this is worth the savings.

I'm giving this 5 stars because the quality is fine and was shipped promptly - the mistake was on my part, and I didn't notice until months later.

Modern unibody Macs and Mac Minis (2009, 2010, 2011) have mini Display Ports, NOT mini DVI ports (which is what this adapter is for). Didn't know there was a difference between mini DisplayPort and mini DVI when I ordered these.

A Summary of Video:
* Old PC's: VGA (looks like the letter "D")
* Recent PC's: DVI (long rectangle)
* OLD Mac laptops: mini DVI (this adapter)
* Relatively recent Mac laptops: mini DisplayPort / miniDP (2008? - 2011)
* Recent Mac Minis: HDMI (2010/2011)
* Some DELL machines: fullsize NON-mini DisplayPort (and maybe some old desktop macs, not sure)
* New Macs: Thunderbolt

It's a bit hard to tell mini DVI from mini DP (displayport). You might do a google image search. Another idea is to just buy one of each (they're pretty cheap on Amazon)

Some specific combos:
* If your macbook is very old (maybe pre 2008?) you might the connector on for this review: mini DVI to standard DVI)
* If your macbook is recent, but not 2012, going an OLD PC monitor, you probably want mini DP to VGA
* If your macbook is recent, but not 2012, going to PC monitor, you probably want mini DP to standard DVI (NOT this review's product)
* If your macbook is recent, but not 2012, going to a TV, probably want mini DP to HDMI
* If you macbook is very NEW (2012ish) you might want Thunderbolt to ???

My point is that, unless you have a pretty old Mac, this likely not the adapter you're looking for.

I got this converter cable in order to attach a second monitor to my 2009 Mac Mini. Despite what some other reviews may have said, this is indeed a Mini DVI to DVI-D cable connection, at least according to the standard Apple nomenclature. (I just double checked this fact on their website.) You will be able to achieve extended desktop or video mirroring mode up to 1920 by 1200 pixels through this port. I used it with an older Dell monitor with no discernable issues. The converter cable worked right out of the packaging and it seems to be very well made. Shipping was quick, and the price very competitive. I highly recommend it.

The first thing you should know is that this is not an authentic Apple product, it's a look-alike. I suppose it was naive to assume that the Apple brand connector could be found for a reasonable price. I wouldn't even mention the authenticity of the product if it were not for a couple of small things: the connector is a tighter fit than expected (but it fits) and the cable portion is stiff and inflexible. I have two connectors from Apple to compare this with, and besides having the company logo on the back of them, they're also more flexible and insert perfectly easily as you would expect. Is it a big deal? No, this connector works just fine as far as I can tell. I have had no issues. Remember, there's no concern about image quality because it's a digital connector: it either works or it doesn't. There is no quality loss.

This adapter work's great with my iMac and Macbook Pro. The Apples adapter cost 300% more money at DriPhoneDirect*com. This means I saved over $10. Performance wise, it works great. The only weakness is the appearance and texture. It has a cheap feel to it and makes me nervous that it will have a short life.

For now it works as described and it saved me money! I would buy this again!

I purchased this item knowing I shouldn't have high expectations for the low price.
It was bought as a replacement for my official Apple mini-dvi to dvi.

The important thing is, this product worked completely as intended immediately after hooking it up. No hiccups there. That's what I bought it for and it performs.

Knowing that this product is transferring digital information and not analog, I have no real concern about the build quality as far as picture quality goes. However, I am apprehensive about the durability of this product. Compared to my Apple adapter, this item feels "cheap", innards are tiny bit loose and shift slightly. The Apple adapter is solid and sturdy in comparison. One reviewer made the assumption that the adapter may have possibly come from the same facility as the official Apple one, and was just not branded as such. I would certainly beg to differ. However extremely similar (white color, even the symbols [although slightly different gray color and size of symbols], and the adapter's dimensions) and indeed a worthy copy, upon closer inspection and disassembling, it is clear these are two different products.

The bottom line is that I am certainly happy with this product. I paid little for it and it works as intended. For me, it will be stationary for the long term, which I think should rule out build quality problems. Based on the review history and physical observation of the adapter, I wouldn't place any long term expectations for anyone who plans to use this for presentations or will be constantly moving the adapter around, plugging and unplugging. I don't think it is up for the task. But when staying in one spot, I feel confident I should be happy for a quite while.
3.5 stars from me, mostly for value, but I'll update this review if things head south.

Well of the bat ill say IT DOES THE JOB. IF you ask me, "How long will it last?" i couldn't give you a definite answer. When i received this product, even though it was only 5 dollars and im satisfied that i didn't have to pay $30 for an apple product that does the same thing, it feels like they took two pieces of plastic and smashed them together to create this. When i got this product i laughed that the two bolts on top feel out and in further inspection i saw that the whole thing was held together but two notches. I laughed inside. This however DOES work, it IS worth its price, and it is worth getting if you care about how much you're spending.