Why no VGA cable?

My recently purchased MacBook (the last one to offer FireWire) has a VGA out port but unlike my iBook G4 which I bought 5 years ago did not come with a cable. Why would Apple do this?
John

Hi John,
Probably a better question to ask Apple directly, none of us here working in Apple marketing. But Apple hasn't included video adapter cables on any of the MacBook lines. Only the MacBook Pro family came with the adapters and even that's been scrapped (now sold separately). Heck even the $2500 MacBook Pro doesn't come with the $20 adapter.
Also your MacBook has a Mini-DVI port, none of the MacBooks had VGA. The VGA port hasn't been around since the iBook (14.1 LCD) circa early '02 (and was later replaced with Mini-VGA).

Similar Messages

  • Why doesn't my IPhone 4 (iOS6) connect to a projector via apple VGA cable ?

    Can anyone advise me why my iPhone 4 won't connect to
    My projector at work via the apple VGA cable. Thanks

    I have the same problem.
    iPhone 4 / iOS6 > No VGA output
    I hope that in iOS6.1 Apple will fix it!

  • When i connect my mac book pro to an external display using a VGA cable and adaptor, the external display splits into several different columns of the same screen overlapping one another. Does anybody have any ideas as to why this happens?

    I have used different VGA to mini port adaptors, different VGA cables and connected them to different external monitors and prjectors but the same thing happens. I am starting to think there may be a problem with the macbook itself however, when i have used a HDMI lead and adaptor to external monitors the external display is fine.

    Hi there LDIMERY,
    You may find the troubleshooting steps in the article below helpful.
    Apple computers: Troubleshooting issues with video on internal or external displays
    http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1573
    -Griff W. 

  • My vga  cable has stopped working since upgrading my ipad2 to ios8 - why?

    I Use my ipad2 to give presentations via a projector or tv screen. When I updated to ios8 it stopped working. I get a message like"accessory not supported".
    The cable and presentations etc still works fine on my iPhone 4s which is still running ios7, so it can't be the cable.
    Just tried upgrading the ipad to ios 8.1.1 but it makes no difference.
    anybody know a fix?

    I just bought a dock connector to VGA cable so I could use my 3rd generation iPad with my Epson projector. My IPad shows up through my projector for a few seconds then I get that same message on my iPad that my cable is not supported by this iPad. Your post gave me some answers. it must be that latest big OS upgrade that caused that. Now Apple needs to fix that.

  • Why doesn't my VGA cable work after downloading iOS 8.0.2?

    After downloading iOS 8.0.2, my VGA cable no longer works.  Any ideas?  How can I uninstall iOS 8.0.2?

    Swipe up or down to select Video option.

  • Why my ipad 2 can not recognize the vga cable with the new ios 8

    When i connect my vga cable to my ipad´s cable port the ipad gives me a pop up telling me that the accesory may not be supported, this started happening when i installed ios , when i used to have ios 7 ii had no problems at all. is there a solution to it, if there is, what can i do to solve it?

    Try connecting to iTunes (computer) and Check for Update.

  • Why doesn't Apple permit playing a rented movie on a large screen TV using a VGA cable?

    I was disappointed after waiting over 8 hrs to download an HD movie to my iPad2 from iTunes that I could not play it on my large screen. I connected the iPad to the TV with an Apple VGA adaptor. I got the error message "CANNOT PLAY MOVIE. The connected display (my large screen TV) is not authorized to play protected movies." Yet, in the information provided by Apple, it says I can play the movies on my TV with Apple TV. What's the difference other than Apple TV has an HDMI connector instead of the VGA connector. BTW I had the iPad connected to my stereo set via the iPad's headphone jack.

    The VGA cable does not offer the copy protection necessary to allow the conetn to be played.
    For instance I use an HDMi Adapter from apple and can play movies and TV shows on my HD TV just fine from my iPad 2 and I don't own an Apple TV.
    The following article explains it:
    http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4108
    Apple wrote:
    HDCP requirements
    iTunes Store movies (SD and HD) and TV shows (HD) require an HDCP digital connection such as the one provided when using the Apple Digital AV Adapter and HDMI cable. If you attempt to play this content using a non-HDCP digital connection, such as the Apple VGA Adapter, an alert will appear to let you know that an HDCP-compatible device is required. To view iTunes Store content using a non-HDCP digital connection, do one of the following:
    Sync the SD version of the TV show
    Use an Apple Component AV cable to play the HD version at 480p
    Use an Apple Composite AV cable to play the HD version at 480i
    Attempting to play rental content on a device that requires an HDCP digital connection may start the rental timer. Use one of the recommended Apple AV cables to view your rental before the time limit expires.
    This is more the movie studios doing than anythng Apple is pushing. Though it may help push their Apple TV.

  • Mini DVI to VGA cable doesn't send signal to the projector

    I just received a mini DVI to VGA adapter cable today.
    I connect mini DVI side of cable into my Macbook v. 4.1 and connect the other side into DGA cable, which connected to LCD projector.
    When I connect the cable to my Macbook, the opened application streched out to a full screen (seems like computer detets the cable) but projector says 'no signal'.
    Can any one tell me what is wrong it is?
    Thanks much
    Mike

    I'm still stucked.
    By reading some articles, it says even using mini DVI adapter, the signal is still digital and if the projector doesn't accept digital signal then it's no use....
    My projector is Epson EX3200 and it doesn't have any DVI or HDMI input.
    Does this mean my projector doesn't accept a digital signal?
    But, but, but if even uing mini DVI adapter cable it still doesn't conver to analog signal then why they call the cable a mini DVI to VGA cable???
    Why should this world be so complecated.....

  • No Native Res with DVI/HDMI but OK with DVI/VGA cable on Loewe 32" LCD

    Hi there, I am a little confused about connecting my mini to my Loewe Individual LCD TV and coudl do with some help.
    I purchased a DVI to HDMI cable at enormous cost because my experience of DVI versus VGA is like night and day and I wanted to have the best possible connection to my HD TV.
    The problem is that when I connect the mini with the DVI/HDMI cable the native resolution of my TV is not available. (1366x768 or thereabouts) The only resolutions to choose from are 1920 x 1080? and 1024 X 768. Using overscan on the 1024 fills the screen correctly but looks all stretched.
    Instead I connected with a VGA cable and the correct resolution is automatically detected immediately and there is no problem at all.
    I am a little bit confused as to why it works fine with VGA but not with DVI/HDMI. The VGA connection looks OK but why compromise when you shoudln't have to?

    First of all, I am far from an expert but as I said, from my experience and after reading a LOT, HDMI cannot support 1366x768, that is why the TV goes without picture if you try. Why? I don't know.
    Now, DVI is almost like VGA, both are analog, and can support 1366x768 or 1920x1200. But since you go from DVI output from the Mac Mini to the HDMI cable, screen goes black, blue, etc, res no supported.
    That is why some people don't have problems with the powerbook and their HDTV's, and then they try with the DVI-HDMI adaptor (normally with the mac mini) and it's no good.
    The thing is, you can get 720p, 1280x720 but with overscan, so with DisplayconfigX you go from:
    1280x720 (720p)
    128 Front Porch 10
    80 Sync 5
    200 Back Porch 15
    1688 Total 750
    to
    1240x680
    128 Front Porch 19
    80 Sync 5
    240 Back Porch 38
    1688 Total 750
    for example, with this setup you get the image cut to a minimum.
    As you can see the totals are in both cases 1688 750. As soon as you don't respect this totals, like in this example:
    1366x768
    28 Front Porch 5
    80 Sync 5
    40 Back Porch 15
    1514 Total 793
    your TV won't be able to dispay the image. But with VGA the totals don't matter!!!!, that is why it works with one cable and not with the other.
    Apple should update the Intel graphic card drivers, maybe that would help.
    Bye
    Mac Mini   Mac OS X (10.4.5)  

  • VGA and HDMI ports are next to each other; any VGA cable blocks HDMI port; want 3 displays.

    The VGA & HDMI ports are right next to each other on the left side of the laptop.  I ultimately would like to connect two monitors to it, but am unable to occupy both ports because the everyday end of a VGA cable/extender is too wide. Any solutions?

    Hi, Firstly you won't get 3 displays without buying more hardware for your dv7 that why you won't be able to plug 2 ports at the same time. Regards.

  • VGA cable

    I have a vga cable. I can see you tube and home video but full films that I have on my i tune ? why any one ? it tells me I have no premission

    As a clarification to the other responder, it is a copy protection/copyright issue. From the following Apple article:
    HDCP requirements
    iTunes Store movies (SD and HD) and TV shows (HD) require an HDCP digital connection such as the one provided when using the Apple Digital AV Adapter and HDMI cable. If you attempt to play this content using a non-HDCP digital connection, such as the Apple VGA Adapter, an alert will appear to let you know that an HDCP-compatible device is required. To view iTunes Store content using a non-HDCP digital connection, do one of the following:
    Sync the SD version of the TV show
    Use an Apple Component AV cable to play the HD version at 480p
    Use an Apple Composite AV cable to play the HD version at 480i
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4108

  • Component to VGA Cables? Any Luck?

    Hi all, buried in an earlier post someone mentioned they had made a component to VGA cable work with his ATV.
    Since I am one of the many with all my component inputs used up, but 2 VGA inputs open, I found such a cable, but it did not work.
    This DOES work however, with a similar cable to VGA, coming off my XBOX 360.
    Does anyone have any experience with this? Is it possible?
    Or is there a way to run my Denon DVD player using the component to VGA cable (I have tried this but also did not work). I have heard older projectors run this way??
    For the record, ATV is working great from the component cable hook up but I am missing HI DEF TV now ....S Video is a very sad place to be in Hi DEF land.
    Thanks to any suggestions you can give. Ian
    20" Imac 250GBHD 2GB RAM Mac OS X (10.4.9) 43" Pioneer Plasma

    Since I am one of the many with all my component inputs used up, but 2 VGA inputs open, I found such a cable, but it did not work.Why not simply add a component switcher. Many well made models with 3-4 input component video/toslink optical audio to single audio/video output with manual, remote, or auto switching are available in the $75 to $300 range.

  • VGA cable extension causing resolution problems

    Pavilion 6507c with HP 2010i monitor, Windows 7 64-bit.  I am trying to separate the CPU and monitor by a few feet more than the original  6' VGA cable allows.  Have tried an extension plus original, and also a single longer cable. With anything but the short original cable, the computer no longer recognizes the monitor - it shows it as Generic non-PnP, and will not allow 1600:900, so the picture is stretched. Re-installed 2010i drivers - still comes up generic.
    Is there any way to extend the monitor distance without sacrificing proper resolution?
    This question was solved.
    View Solution.

    I wouldn't be too concerned about receiving a no signal message when shutting the PC down.  With a longer cable, the signal may degrade sooner causing the no signal message to appear during the shutdown process.
    Displays work by the monitor sending the EDID information to the PC and this is part of how the PC identifies what resolutions are available to this monitor.  The original cable is allowing this information to be sent from the monitor back to the PC.  The PC then retains this information which is what allows it to work with the longer cable after swapping out the 6' VGA cable for a longer or extended one.  Once the system is shutdown, the EDID information is lost.  This is why it doesn't work once the system is shutdown and started with an extended or long cable. 
    You did mention an important difference between the cables: the lack of a ferrite core.  This Wikipedia entry discusses ferrite beads (aka: ferrite core) and what use they have.  Essentially, it reduces the level of interference which could cause the EDID information to be lost before reaching the PC.  This is more noticeable when using a long cable, so this could be due to the lack of the ferrite core.  However, the adapter listed in my previous post should rectify the resolution issue (though, it would still be listed as a generic PnP monitor).  
    I would weigh the cost of a cable with the ferrite core against the cost of getting an EDID emulator and select the cheaper option.  I know an EDID emulator will rectify this issue, but I cannot say that getting a cable with the ferrite core will correct this issue with 100% certainty.  I do know not having a ferrite core can cause signal quality issues.  If you can still exchange the cables, then that may be the cheaper option.
    Let me know what happens.
    ↙-----------How do I give Kudos?| How do I mark a post as Solved? ----------------↓

  • I bought a mini DVI to HDMI convertor and  a HDMI to VGA cable to connect my mac book pro to a tv but it doesn't work any one can help.\\\\\

    i bought a mini DVI to HDMI convertor and  a HDMI to VGA cable to connect my mac book pro to a tv but it doesn't work any one can help.

    I would suggest looking into a Thunderbolt to HDMI connector. In this case, you may be able to use the TV as an external monitor. For this option, please confirm through additional research. I have not tested it personally.
    You can also use an Apple TV, which connects with HDMI. In this case, you can use Airplay Mirroring. Not all Macs support Airplay Mirroring, so you need to check first. I have a Mid-2011 27" iMac, and it supports Airplay Mirroring. I don't use it often because my TV is in another room, but I just tried it and it worked. It had to change the screen resolution to work well, so I don't know if I would want to use it as my day to day monitor. http://support.apple.com/kb/ht5404

  • Mini DVI to VGA cable won't fit.  Too big for slot on 12 PowerBook G4

    Are there more than one type of cable?

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2369 shows only one kind of mini-DVI port for the 12" Powerbook.  Sounds like you got something that is not an mini-DVI port based cable.  Mini-VGA cables look very similar, and can be misidentified.  What are you connecting to from the Powerbook G4?  Make, model # is important.  Often DVI-HDMI adapters are better than DVI to VGA if there is an option.  Cause DVI-VGA you need a proper digital/analog converter in the cable in question.

Maybe you are looking for