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Mediaman_12 · Jun 29, 2004, 08:43 AM

So the new LCD's have an option for not using a ADC cable, and the 30" can't use one. Is this a sign of Apple abandoning the ADC?
I am the proud owner of a 17" LCD Apple Studio display, I am very happy with this display, and unless something comes along that is fantastic value, I can't see me getting rid of it in the near future.
But will Apple continue to sell ADC equiped Mac's in the near future? Rendering my Screen useless unless I ether buy an (expensive) adapter, or don't buy a new Mac.

Cadaver · Jun 29, 2004, 09:02 AM

Originally posted by Mediaman_12:
So the new LCD's have an option for not using a ADC cable, and the 30" can't use one. Is this a sign of Apple abandoning the ADC?
I am the proud owner of a 17" LCD Apple Studio display, I am very happy with this display, and unless something comes along that is fantastic value, I can't see me getting rid of it in the near future.
But will Apple continue to sell ADC equiped Mac's in the near future? Rendering my Screen useless unless I ether buy an (expensive) adapter, or don't buy a new Mac.

All of Apple's desktops still have an ADC connector (and a DVI connector). The only Apple video card that doesn't have an ADC connector is the $600 GeForce 6800 DDL.

OldManMac · Jun 29, 2004, 12:21 PM

It's not an option to not use ADC; the new screens are DVI only. Apple appears to be dropping ADC in favor of DVI, which is vastly more common. They probably had this in mind anyway, as most of the PowerMacs from the last few years had DVI, as well as ADC ports on them. Smart move.

Eug Wanker · Jun 29, 2004, 02:31 PM

Yup. ADC is dead. Good riddance.

I wouldn't be surprised if the next batch of stock video cards have no ADC at all.

mbryda · Jun 29, 2004, 04:00 PM

Originally posted by Mediaman_12:
But will Apple continue to sell ADC equiped Mac's in the near future? Rendering my Screen useless unless I ether buy an (expensive) adapter, or don't buy a new Mac.

I wouldn't call $30 expensive....

http://mac-pro.com/Merchant2/merchan...tegory_Code=cb

Dimitri · Jun 29, 2004, 04:24 PM

What the hell is he supposed to do with that cable?

mosespatrader · Jun 29, 2004, 07:46 PM

Originally posted by Dimitri:
What the hell is he supposed to do with that cable?

To hook up a dvi monitor to a adc port on the video card

Mediaman_12 · 08:09 PM

Originally posted by mbryda:
I wouldn't call $30 expensive....

Ok smarts, how do I power the screen with that ity bitty cable? (or use the USB hub?)
Remember I would like to use my existing APPLE display (with an APPLE connector) with a new APPLE computer at some unspecified point in the near future.
What I would need is one of these, $99 aint to cheap. Thats also assuming Apple still sell the dam things when I decide to upgrade.
So I must thank Apple for selling me a display with an artificially limited life-span due to a dumb embedded, propriety cable. My only relief is that I only bought a 17",I would be extremely pissed if I had a Cinema Display.

Dimitri · Jun 29, 2004, 09:59 PM

Originally posted by mosespatrader:
To hook up a dvi monitor to a adc port on the video card

That's my point. Useless.

Cadaver · Jun 29, 2004, 11:14 PM

Originally posted by Mediaman_12:
Ok smarts, how do I power the screen with that ity bitty cable? (or use the USB hub?)
Remember I would like to use my existing APPLE display (with an APPLE connector) with a new APPLE computer at some unspecified point in the near future.
What I would need is one of these, $99 aint to cheap. Thats also assuming Apple still sell the dam things when I decide to upgrade.
So I must thank Apple for selling me a display with an artificially limited life-span due to a dumb embedded, propriety cable. My only relief is that I only bought a 17",I would be extremely pissed if I had a Cinema Display.

Well, in all fairness, you did buy a device which uses a very proprietary connector. All proprietary technology eventually fades or gets replaced.

mbryda · Jun 29, 2004, 11:32 PM

Ok, I goofed.
But, the situation would be the same if you bought a Powerbook - they all have DVI ports while the displays are ADC....

You could still use your current video card...

In the grand scheme of things, to save a $999 display (17"), $99 is cheap. If you're buying a $2k computer, it's 0.5% of the price.

I beleive Dr. Bott also sells a version of it. If you're so worried about obsolescence, pick it up now. That way it will be ready for you when you want to upgrade.

If you upgrade in another 1-5 years (not sure when you bought your Mac), 2 things will happen:
1) The backlight will burn out (and replacements are close to the cost of a new panel)
2) The current displays will have their price drop to where you get more real estate for the same price (ie 20 for the price of your 17) and you will want to upgrade.

Angus_D · Jul 4, 2004, 01:32 PM

Originally posted by Cadaver:
Well, in all fairness, you did buy a device which uses a very proprietary connector. All proprietary technology eventually fades or gets replaced.

Yeah. Kind of like Macs. They've been replaced by PCs. You must have missed the memo.

milhous · Jul 5, 2004, 02:56 AM

ADC was great, but you can clearly see where they're going now--they want to sell to the PC people. It's smart thinking to a certain degree. Don't want to buy a Mac, but love our displays? Great, we win and still get your business.

Seeing more Mac/PC cross-platform interoperability (iPods, AirportExpress, Displays), I can just smell more consumer electronics coming that will integrate with either platform nicely. Can't wait to see what else they got coming.

tigas · Jul 5, 2004, 11:19 AM

Originally posted by milhous:
ADC was great, but you can clearly see where they're going now--they want to sell to the PC people. It's smart thinking to a certain degree. Don't want to buy a Mac, but love our displays? Great, we win and still get your business.

Seeing more Mac/PC cross-platform interoperability (iPods, AirportExpress, Displays), I can just smell more consumer electronics coming that will integrate with either platform nicely. Can't wait to see what else they got coming.

Maybe proper mid-range computers to get back to 5% marketshare? Heck, even 10%!

I just wish Apple would go back to making computers...

SEkker · Jul 5, 2004, 02:01 PM

I dislike the ADC connector, as it required a $100 adapter to connect this 20" studio display to my powermac.

And the ADC connector meant Apple had to use inferior video cards, as they had to have the ADC added in addition to the standard connectors.

This move is LONG overdue by Apple.

In addition, the Apple monitors in many markets have the reputation to be the best available. I am purchasing a 23" to add to a new PC workstation (to run dedicated, windows-only software), and I am glad they made the change.

TailsToo · Jul 5, 2004, 11:08 PM

Originally posted by SEkker:
I dislike the ADC connector, as it required a $100 adapter to connect this 20" studio display to my powermac.

And the ADC connector meant Apple had to use inferior video cards, as they had to have the ADC added in addition to the standard connectors.

This move is LONG overdue by Apple.

In addition, the Apple monitors in many markets have the reputation to be the best available. I am purchasing a 23" to add to a new PC workstation (to run dedicated, windows-only software), and I am glad they made the change.

I like the single cable idea, but no one else adopted it, so it was in Apple's best interest to move to a DVI monitor.