What is the best option for your equipment and monitor?

If you’re planning to connect your Mac to an external monitor, there are a few different ways to do it. For one, if you have a relatively modern Mac will have USB-C connectors. Then, depending on the monitor you have, you can connect it directly via USB-C or you will need an HDMI or DisplayPort adapter. Your Mac may also have a built-in HDMI port and even a MiniDisplay port. As you can see, it is a whole mess of connections and we will help you understand everything so you choose the right connection.

DisplayPort: the most advanced connection although the least used

DisplayPort is a connection standard developed primarily for connecting computers to monitors. It was designed to replace older interfaces such as VGA and DVIoffering better resolution and refresh rate. Additionally, DisplayPort can transmit audio and video simultaneously and allows you to connect multiple monitors through a single port.

However, It’s getting weirder and weirder to find a monitor with a DisplayPort input.. What you may find is a Mini DisplayPort port on your Mac. This is a square connector and you will see it on Mac models from around 2010/2014. From this connection, you can purchase a MiniDisplayPort to DisplayPort cable, or more commonly, a MiniDisplayPort to HDMI cable.

• DisplayPort 1.0: Launched in 2008, it offers a transmission speed of up to 10.8 Gbps and supports resolutions of 2560 × 1440 at 60 Hz.
• DisplayPort 1.2: Introduced in 2010, it improves transmission speed to 21.6 Gbps and adds support for multichannel audio, 3D video, and resolutions up to 2560 × 1600 at 120 Hz.
• DisplayPort 1.3: Introduced in 2014, with a bandwidth of 32.4 Gbps, it supports 4K resolutions at 120 Hz, 5K at 60 Hz and up to 8K at 30 Hz.
• DisplayPort 1.4: Launched in 2016, it maintains the bandwidth of 32.4 Gbps, with support for 8K at 60 Hz and HDR.
• DisplayPort 2.0: Introduced in 2019, it offers 77.4 Gbps of bandwidth, supports resolutions of 8K at 60 Hz with HDR, 4K at 144 Hz with HDR, and dual 5K monitors at 60 Hz. It also allows for higher resolutions, such as 16K with SDR at 60 Hz.
• DisplayPort 2.1: Introduced in 2022, it does not improve speed, but optimizes USB Type-C and USB4 compatibility.

HDMI: the ultimate connection standard

HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is the most common connection standard. You have it on your TVrare is the monitor that does not have one… Within HDMI, there are several forms and generations although they all keep the same form. Depending on the monitor you have you will need a more advanced HDMI than another. You will find the specifications in the instruction manual or on the manufacturer’s page. The most normal is to find an HDMI 2.0 or an HDMI 2.1.

• HDMI 1.0: Introduced in 2002, it is rare to find HDMI 1.0 cables today, and its transmission capacity is limited to Full HD video at 60 Hz.
• HDMI 1.1: This update added support for DVD Audio, expanding the capabilities of the standard.
• HDMI 1.2: Starting with this release, the use of custom resolutions and settings has been allowed, providing greater flexibility to manufacturers compared to previous releases.
• HDMI 1.3: Released in 2006, this version supports resolutions up to 2560×1440 at 60 Hz. It also introduced the mini HDMI connector.
• HDMI 1.4: This version, introduced in 2009, supports 4K, but only at 24 Hz, and adds the ability to act as an Ethernet network connector. 3D support and a micro HDMI connector have also been integrated.
• HDMI 2.0: Currently, this is the most common version. It offers support for 4K at 60 Hz, the ability to handle up to four audio streams simultaneously, and support for dynamic HDR.
• HDMI 2.1: The most recent version, released in 2017, significantly increases the bandwidth to 48 Gbps. This allows for 8K video transmission at 120 Hz, although to take advantage of this capacity, a special cable called 48G is required.

When you need to buy a cable, check that it is compatible with this connection. In addition, Depending on your Mac model, you will need a USB-C adapter to HDMI, Mini DisplayPort to HDMI, or a direct HDMI cable if you have a Mac Mini or MacBook Pro with an HDMI port. It’s always best to check the spec sheet. Yeah Google “Identify Mac Model” You will be able to see a history of all models in history and find the connections to later purchase the cable you need.

Ports available on Mac models

THE Port availability on your Mac is a crucial factor in deciding what type of connection to use. Below we leave you a table with the ports available on Mac models of recent years.

Differences between DisplayPort and HDMI

Let’s see one Comparison between different versions of DisplayPort and HDMI. There are many versions of HDMI and DisplayPort. Unless you have a monitor that is almost twenty years old, in most computers and monitors you will find the following ones that we show you in the table.

The Importance of Monitor When Choosing DisplayPort or HDMI

The type and specifications of your monitor are decisive when choose between DisplayPort and HDMI. Factors such as resolution, refresh rate, and available ports directly influence the quality and performance of the connection.

Ports available on the monitor

• HDMI only: If your monitor only has HDMI ports, you should use this standard.
• Only DisplayPort: Similarly, if the monitor only has DisplayPort, this will be your default option.
• Both ports available: Evaluate your needs in terms of resolution, refresh rate and intended use to choose the best connector.

Monitor quality

• 1080p monitors at 60 Hz: DisplayPort and HDMI (even older versions like HDMI 1.4) can handle this setup without any problems. For these types of monitors, HDMI is the most common option.
• 4K Monitors at 60 Hz: DisplayPort 1.4 and HDMI 2.0 can handle this configuration.
• 4K monitors at 120 Hz or higher: Requires HDMI 2.1 or DisplayPort 1.4. If your monitor supports both connections, DisplayPort generally offers better performance.
• 8K Monitors: Requires DisplayPort 1.4 or HDMI 2.1. Make sure your Mac and monitor support these versions for maximum performance.

The choice between DisplayPort And HDMI on your Mac will depend on several factors, including your Mac’s specifications, your monitor’s capabilities, and how you plan to use your setup. In general, We recommend you to choose HDMIsince today you will find a very high standard of quality. Although the most practical thing if your Mac is up to date is a direct USB-C cable, so you can charge your MacBook while streaming videos.

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