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Apple DVI to ADC Adapter

ADC/DVI ADAPTER AND BOOT CAMP

Written by MP from STATEN ISLAND

Jul 8, 2009

I bought the ADC/DVI adapter to use with my original 23 inch Cinema HD Display. With my Mac Pro and the Nvidia 8800GT graphics card it's great in Mac OS. What I didn't expect was that there are no drivers from Apple or Nvidia to support the monitor working through the ADC/DVI adapter in Boot Camp.

I have Win XP Pro SP3 installed and the monitor goes to the dimmest setting and can't be adjusted after the Windows desktop appears. Anyone wanting to use an old ADC Cinema display with a newer Mac Pro in Boot Camp, check it out first. I haven't tried it with VMWare Fusion 2. Otherwise, its a great, though bulky adapter, that keeps a great old monitor working (at least in Mac OS). 1 star lost for the Boot Camp problem.

21 of 26 people found this useful

Apple DVI to ADC Adapter

It works like Apple says it should

Written by AB from San Diego

Jun 24, 2009

I bought this product to connect my new 2009 MBP to a 23" Cinema Display. It is working flawlessly and helping me extend a 2003 purchase (of the ADC adapter) into a long term investment.

The only draw back seems that you can not hot-swap the connectors... you need to start the display when you start up the laptop. For whatever reason, hot swaps do not seem to work (for me).

6 of 6 people found this useful

Apple DVI to ADC Adapter

I'm not complaining... quite content, actually

Written by SB from Dallas

Apr 18, 2009

Yes, we all know how annoying it is that video connectors seem to evolve every two years and require adapters to continue working with current workstations. That said, I'm pleased as punch that I can continue using my flawless 20-inch crystal-case ADC cinema display with my new(ish) macbook. At first, I choked a bit on the cost, but I've been using it for over a year now; both it and my cinema display have been chugging along happily. Because I did not have to plunk down double or triple the money on a credit card for a new display, is worth it to me.

In fact, I'm double-adapted: from mini-DVI on my MacBook to DVI, then to the DVI to ADC adapter. Not a single problem.

I'm not going to complain about the size of the power brick, either; remember ADC displays got their power from the computer's power supply, which is itself quite a bit bigger than the power brick people are complaining about. Your display has to get its power from somewhere. Get an under-desk cable tray, stash it up there, and forget about it.

No problems with sleep; no problems with USB pass-through.

One star denied in the rating, however, because although the price is not outrageous, I do think it's a bit steep.

Oh, and don't blame the product if it doesn't do what you want it to do when the fault is that you didn't do your homework beforehand.

35 of 42 people found this useful

Apple DVI to ADC Adapter

It works as advertised

Written by EM from Buenos Aires

Feb 13, 2009

Yes, it is expensive, yes it is big; but, it is the only way I could use a very nice 20" Cinema Display with my Quicksilver (fitted with a flashed NVIDIA Geforce 6200)
I was worried that, given the "special" card, perhaps the controls on the display, or the back USB ports would not work.
Not the case, everything works perfectly using the adapter, and the image quality (I'm using Tiger) its amazing.

I don't give it a 5 stars rating because of the price, 100 U$S it is really expensive.

14 of 18 people found this useful

Apple DVI to ADC Adapter

Works well but a bit pricey

Written by MP from Waltham

Dec 16, 2008

I bought an (ADC) old cinema display for $150...a pretty good deal until I realized I needed to buy this thing...not a good deal. All in all I ended up with a very nice USED monitor at a new monitor price. Hey, you live and your learn.

23 of 27 people found this useful

Apple DVI to ADC Adapter

It does the job

Written by SJ from Roskilde

Oct 6, 2008

I have an old Apple HD Cinema 23", and added a ned Mac Pro and the 20" Cinema display. The new screen works on my old G5 and off course the Mac Pro. Old HD screen only works on the G5.

My old HD Cinema screen still works brilliant, so I purchased this Adapter so I could use both screens on the new MacPro, through I had seen all the negative review stuff here.

I can now rapport that the converter works, without any flaws.

- Double screen functions works without any flaws.

- The screen saver function works okay, and does not introduce full fan motion as reported elsewhere.

- I can still bring the computer in sleep mode via the on/off function on my old HD Cinema 23"

Only difference is that to bring computer out of sleep function I now have to press esc. key on keyboard, whereas on the old G5 I could just touch the on/off function on the old HD Cinema screen.

Overall I am satisfied with this product, through it is a bit bulky (as is the converter for the MacPro screen).

43 of 49 people found this useful

Apple DVI to ADC Adapter

Solid Product

Written by MS from indianapolis

Jun 29, 2008

After reading the other reviews, I felt I had to put my two cents in. I bought two 23" monitors with G4 towers several years ago. The monitors worked great (for my purposes) and these adapters allowed me to continue using them for the last several years after I upgraded to a G5 and intel based towers without as much as one problem. They are only slightly smaller than a mac mini, but they lay on the floor under my desk so who notices. So if you have upgraded to a DVI based mac and still have an ADC monitor, this little gem will let you get more use out of a perfectly good monitor. I recommend this product without reservation.

37 of 46 people found this useful

Apple DVI to ADC Adapter

Works well

Written by SS from Anmore

Oct 18, 2007

You have to live with this for about a day before you really appreciate it, the intial setup looks a bit messy, but once you figure out where you can hide it, it works very, very well. I am using it from a G4 laptop to a 22" Cinema with no issues whatsoever. I ended up hiding it in my CPU bay below my desk, the cables on this are nice and long and you can almost certainly find a place to hide it. Once attached, the monitor provides full operation of the laptop, including power on/off, sleep, USB ports in the back work - everything as you would expect :)

61 of 117 people found this useful

Apple DVI to ADC Adapter

Works fine with Mac Pro, but very hot

Written by RW from Pleasanton

Jul 22, 2007

I am using this to connect my original 23" HD Cinema display to my new Mac Pro. It does the job fine, but it runs very hot. I have it laying on its side but I am going to try to mount it somehow on end so both sides can radiate the heat.

28 of 45 people found this useful

Apple DVI to ADC Adapter

Apple DVI to ADC Display Adapter

Written by CS from Springfield

Mar 23, 2007

I purchase this produce earlier this week after upgrading the video card in my G4. I took it home hooked it up and it works. It is larger than I thought it would be, but it works and it works well. The only concern that I have is that when I go to System Preferences, Displays my list does not show my Studio Display it only shows one resolution entry, 1280 * 960. However, as I said the adapter works well and lets me keep using my Studio monitor.

28 of 45 people found this useful

Apple DVI to ADC Adapter

Works as advertised

Written by BH from Kingston

Mar 22, 2007

Works brilliantly for me. I have a 12" PowerBook and a 22" Cinema Display. USB works, DVI works. The adapter is a little on the large size but is closer in size to the PowerBook's AC adapter than the PowerBook itself. Good length on the cables, no complaints. Now, if it just had a VGA output as well... (I use newer laptops that don't have DVI.)

24 of 50 people found this useful

Apple DVI to ADC Adapter

Does The Job

Written by GR from Centennial

Mar 12, 2007

I use this with my Mac Book and it works flawlessly. I agree that it is bulky, and it seems like an unnecessary cost, but if you have an Apple Cinema Display, why let that go to waste? I have my monitor from my G4 Cube, and this adapter simply gives me two extra USB ports (even though they are USB 1.1) and a nice screen to view movies while doing homework, or a monitor for my iChats. The extended desktop space is AMAZING. It also works when I boot up in (ahem... Windows) with Boot Camp.

Bottom line: this cost is still less than buying a new flat screen LCD monitor.

29 of 42 people found this useful

Apple DVI to ADC Adapter

"GITS 'ER DONE"!!

Written by CB from Whitesboro

Jan 5, 2007

With a chuckle, I agree with BK from Philadelphia... it is "freakin huge". But the bottom line is, this adapter gets the job done!

19 of 31 people found this useful

Apple DVI to ADC Adapter

Functional product just not quite up to Apple's design elegance

Written by CD from Mint Hill

Dec 28, 2006

First and foremost, my 23" ADC display is sharp and vivid so this product does what it's supposed to do.

20 of 43 people found this useful

Apple DVI to ADC Adapter

Works great but it seems like overkill.

Written by JB from Spring City

Oct 10, 2006

I have two takes on the ADC to DVI connector. I recently purchased a Mac Mini to use along with my existing Apple 17" Studio display. After I realized the Mini had a DVI port and I would need an adapter I was headed back to the Apple Store. (It would have been nice if the Apple sales rep would have explained this to me in the first place.) They had it in stock, I hooked it up and it works wonderfully. My gripe was I guess I was just expecting a smaller adapter and not a big "brick" with more cables. Not to mention the $99 price tag.

Does it do what it claims? Yes absolutely. Does it seem like overkill to me? Yes! I mean can't there be an easier, more compact solution?!?!

32 of 41 people found this useful

Apple DVI to ADC Adapter

Seems great, what's with the bad reviews?

Written by CM from Washington

Jun 21, 2006

Been using it a day, and seems to work great. Signal is great, USB is great, and considering it has a power adapter built into the central unit, the size is not as bad as some are making it out to be. I'd rather it this way than the typical "giant block hanging off the power strip" method of most manufacturers.

The cables are great quality and very sturdy. The "upgrade" complaints are just part of the tech game, people. Apple did a neat thing with the single cable to the card, but the industry as a whole wasn't interested. It's part of what you buy into with Apple, and in my opinion, is better this way than them comforming to horrible PC-world ideas of what is good product design.

My one complaint is that this thing gets very hot, very fast. I'm a little concerned about it's lifespan (especially given at least one review stating it burned out on them, albeit after 3 years). I shelled out a LOT of clams for this 23" Cinema display and I want to use it until we don't need monitors anymore :)

14 of 16 people found this useful

Apple DVI to ADC Adapter

Clunky but does the job.

Written by CB from Montrose

Jun 4, 2006

I purchased this adapter to connect my 23" HD Cinema screen (ADC) to my new Quad Core G5 (both of which I ordered from apple.com). I panicked at first because the adapter did not work, but I was able to exchange it for a new one at the Apple Store. All is good now - display and G5 are up and running. The only negative things I can say about this adapter: it's gigantic (5"x5" box, ~1.5" high) - just very clunky in general, feels quite warm to the touch and it hogs a USB port. On a positive note, I'm glad I only had to spend $100 rather than drop $1300 on a new display. I'd also like to note that the 2 USB ports on the back of my display are fully functional (some of the previous reviews stated that their ports were no longer working). Also, the button on the front left launches the display settings panel in system prefs. So overall - a great purchase!

13 of 13 people found this useful

Apple DVI to ADC Adapter

Oh Please!

Written by EH from Phoenix

May 16, 2006

Ok, so you have to buy an adaptor for your old monitor and your new computer. Big deal. You bought the old Apple Display to go w/ your Old computer. Wouldn't it make sense that when newer technology is developed, apple uses it? Should apple keep the old ADC, which didn't become standard across the board, on their new products just so when YOU choose to upgrade your computer you don’t have to buy an adaptor? Why should apple go stagnate with their technology just to save the customers who bought $2000+ monitors 2-3 years ago $100. These adaptors used to cost $300 before apple came out with theirs.
Isn't it apparent that when the new Intel PowerMac comes out, a new Cinema Display will too? Don't complain. Besides, who spends $2000+ on a monitor and then buys the cheapest computer (mini). You might as well put some High-end chrome spinners on the rims of your 1992 ford escort.

5 of 11 people found this useful