Andrew,
I don't know the model of X220 you are getting but the tabook.pdf
for the X220 (4287) shows the following for external video:
supports dual independent display;
Maximum external resolution: 2560x1600 (DisplayPort)@60Hz;
2048x1536 (VGA)@75Hz; 1920x1200@60Hz (single-link DVI-D via cable
45J7915)
So it looks like you could get higher than what your current monitor
would display. Note that DP can do higher resolution than VGA -
looks like the VGA is for old high-res analog 4:3 CRT monitors (the
75Hz is telling as most flat screen LCD displays are designed for
60Hz refresh rather than the 75 Hz used to prevent flickering with
CRTs).
As I'm an old geezer I find the 30" monitor on the desk at the
office very nice - lots of pixels and sharp. I have an older
HP - some new 30" monitors support 10-bit color (30-bit)
but you need a video chip that does 10-bit per color (and
probably applications that support it). Probably not a useful
expense for an external monitor for a notebook ...
As for the question about the adapter, I use an active one
from Apple to convert DP to dual-link DVI for the HP monitor
(it has 3 dual-link DVI inputs) I don't have any experience going
from DP to single-link DVI so I can't comment. As an aside,
Apple sells three different adapters to plug into a MacBook:
miniDP to VGA, miniDP to DVI, and miniDP to dual-link DVI.
If I remember correctly, the first two are $29 and the last is
$99. The dual-link adapter plugs into both the miniDP and
a USB port (I wonder if the USB is the power source) and
provides both a Dual-link DVI and USB port on the small
box.
Stuart
On Jun 22, 2011, at 6:35 AM, Andrew Webber wrote:
Thanks Stuart,
It's a decent monitor, I think it was about $800 many years ago (Dell
2405 FPW I just checked). I can't imagine the image being better
(except when it needs the downshift/upshift which happens only on
startup [whether from sleep, hibernate, shutoff, whatever it is, once
I get it sharp is stays that way for the session] --I suppose it's one
of those "got used to it" things).
It came with two cables so I might as well invest $11 (shipped) and
get the DVI-D adapter.
I read the Wiki article on DisplayPort and came out more confused than
when I went in. :( Is a passive single-link adapter all I need for my
X220 and this display, or do I need something more? (Other's answers
imply this is okay).
The DisplayPort signal is not compatible with HDMI or DVI.
Nevertheless, dual-mode ports marked with a DP++ logo can transmit
single-link HDMI and DVI signals through DisplayPort cabling; this
requires passive external adapters which convert to the higher signal
levels used by DVI/HDMI. Dual-link DVI and analog VGA are supported
through powered adapters which perform active conversion[4] (see
Compatibility with HDMI/DVI below).
Can my (coming) X220 drive a bigger monitor at more than 1920x1200?
Thanks again!
--
Andrew mailto:[email protected]
Wednesday, June 22, 2011, 8:35:20 AM, you wrote:
On Jun 21, 2011, at 9:43 PM, Andrew Webber wrote:
I have a 24" Dell display that offers a choice of VGA or DVI-D (or
S-Video, composite, or component). With my current X300 I've just
used
VGA and it's worked okay at 1920x1200, though sometimes when I come
out of standby the image is bad, I switch to another resolution then
back to 1920x1200 and it's usually fine.
My (coming) X220 offers a choice of VGA or DP. Is it worth getting a
DP-to-DVI adapter and using a DVI cable, given the VGA does work?
Will
I get a better image or faster response?
I would expect a better image (and less chance of problems) using DP/
DVI.
If you use VGA there is a digital to analog conversion, analog
signal in
the VGA cable, and a conversion from analog back to digital in the
display.
Typically there are losses in image quality with each conversion
and the
analog signal is more easily degraded by noise than the digital
signal.
Of course, the image quality also depends on the signal processing
electronics in the monitor itself ...
Stuart
(I use a DP-dual-link dvi adapter with a 30" monitor with a MacBook
Pro.
That provides a very nice image at 2560x1600.)
I'm thinking of the Monoprice #4827 DP-to-DVI-D adapter at $8.16,
and
since I'm thinking of getting a couple of 15' USB cables, I can add
the adapter for only $2.71 extra in shipping (to US), so this
would be
a good time.
Thanks!
--
Andrew
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