Apple Display on PC, can it work?

[Knightsman]

Does anyone know if you can hookup an Apple monitor to a PC. I have a customer with a SONY laptop with HDMI, and I cant seem to figure out for sure if it can. If I was to guess based on what I have found, it wont work.

Thanks for any help.

 

[datadatau]

Really need a little more info. An Apple display is just another monitor, it has different connections depending on the model. The newer displays have a thunderbolt connector, so you would need a thunderbolt to hdmi adapter.

The older cinema displays had a dvi connector, do you would need a dvi to hdmi adapter.

I don't see any reason that you should nt be able to use he display.

 

[phaZed]

^ Beat me to it. Agreed. DVI, HDMI, VGA, etc are all standardized. You can get an adapter for single digit prices.

 

[Knightsman]

From what im reading the adapter wont work. HDMI to Thunderbolt. I dont know the model numbers for the DVI ones. But my customer only has a HDMI port on his laptop.

I cant find any DVI Displays, when I search for it, i find TONS of adapters, but no monitors.

Need someone that knows for sure this will work.

 

[14049752]

I'm trying to read between the lines.... What kind of apple display are you talking about? It looks like maybe it's a thunderbolt monitor, but I'm not sure from what you said.

 

[phaZed]

Does your customer want thunderbolt specifically for using the extra hook up /docking options? If not there is no reason to get that display.

Currently Thunderbolt only works on the newer Apples.

Technically Thunderbolt was originally developed on PC by Intel, codenamed Lightpeak. I imagine it will be a matter of weeks or months before adapters are available... so long as the technology takes off. It could flop, and in this economy it could be a tough sell.


From: http://www.macworld.com/article/158145/2011/02/thunderbolt_what_you_need_to_know.html

Light Peak was simply Intel’s codename for Thunderbolt while the technology was under development—they’re names for the exact same technology. One thing to note, however, is that although Thunderbolt is designed to allow the use of either electrical or optical connections, Apple’s current implementation uses only electrical circuitry, which allows the port to carry power, as well. (Intel expects most vendors to use electrical connections both for this advantage and because of the lower cost. Optical versions will likely be used only when cables longer than three meters are needed.)

 

[Knightsman]

Maybe im not saying it right.

The only monitors i am finding are thunderbold models.

I cant find any HDMI, DVI models.

He doesnt really care as long as its an Awesome screen. I am trying to sway him to a Dell Ultra sharp, but he loves the Apple. So I want to make sure it doesnt work, and then he will feel better about not getting the apple screen.

If you guys know of any that support HDMI, please post it. Thanks.

 

[phaZed]

http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_mac/mac_accessories/displays

Any monitor that DOES not say Thunder bolt can be used, adapters on the same page.

 

[14049752]

You'll want an Apple displayport monitor, then. You can use that with an HDMI to display port adapter. Though, I really agree, he should really buy a PC monitor that doesn't need to be adapted from HDMI. I don't know any to recommend.

 

[SnoSalmon]

I recently installed a few HP ZR2440w screens - 24" LED S-IPS panels. I am mighty impressed by these, for the price they are they really rock!

I'd look for a good brand name IPS panel and steer the client towards it.
Tell them if the apple panel topples over it'll smash the glass front and it won't be cheap to repair

 

[phaZed]

I second the IPS panels SnoSalmon is talking about. Really good stuff.

At the moment, if you get an IPS monitor, you get quality.