ExpanDrivel » PSA: Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter works great with Dell 3007WFP

PSA: Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter works great with Dell 3007WFP

Jeff Mancuso April 27th, 2010

Apple’s move to Mini DisplayPort on the unibody MacBook and MacBook Pro line has caused me a fair amount of consternation regarding upgrading given that my Dell 3007WFP-HC only supports dual-link DVI and Apple’s $100 Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter has gotten quite a lot of bad press with respect to its stability. Last year Michael Tsai wrapped up the the current state of affairs quite well:

The current state of affairs is that:

The software update is not yet available, and Apple has no estimate of when it will be.

Nobody sells a 30-inch display that can directly connect to a Mini DisplayPort.

Dell makes a 30-inch display with a full-size DisplayPort, but (as far as I know) there is no adapter to connect it to a Mini DisplayPort.

As I happily type this post on a new Core i7 MacBook Pro connected to my 3007WFP via the adapter I’m happy to say that this issue with the adapter appear resolved and I thought I’d issue a short public service announcement letting others know. I’ve had not a single issue and have spent considerable time with the monitor connected directly to the adapter as well as through my IOGEAR GCS1782 2-Port Dual-Link DVI KVMP Switch. Also, Circuit Assembly now makes a $13 DisplayPort to Mini DisplayPort adapter that Jon is quite happy on his Dell 2408WFP, which supports DisplayPort.

Tags: 3007wfp, Apple, dell, displayport, MacBook, mini displayport

dave

The Dell 3008wfp has a displayport as well and has been out for years.

There is a cable with a minidisplayport connector on one end and a displayport connector on the other. Check monoprice.

I’ve got a 3008wfp connected to my mac mini server and I’ve not had any problems with the adapter as well.

If anyone needs a 4 port dual link DVI KVM, Belkin makes one for @ $180. That is what I am using.
http://www.expandrive.com Jeff Mancuso

It has been out and it is noticeably more expensive – $1600. I’d love one if I didn’t already have the 3007WFP. For $1600 I could get a 27″ iMac with the same resolution that takes mini-displayport to drive as a monitor.
http://www.kevinrohrbaugh.com/ Kevin Rohrbaugh

Did you have to do anything to get the adapter to work with your iogear GCS1782 switch? Do you know what adapter firmware version you have?

I just picked up the Macbook Pro i7 15″ along with the adapter. My Dell 3007WFP works fine with the Mac, when connected directly to the adapter, but won’t power on and isn’t detected when connected through the GCS1782.
jason

I am having a ton of trouble, i have the GCS1762 with a older Macbook pro (DVi) on one end and my 2 day old Macbook Pro i7 on the other end. When i am switched to the i7 now issues on either system, but when i switch to the second port the old MBP my i7 CPU goes off the charts. Kernel_task jumps! I have chased the error all the way to the Mini port, if I unplug the miniport adapter the CPU goes back down in half a second. This setup has worked for 2 years with my previous macbook.

Does anyone have any ideas? I love the i7 but this is driving me nuts! Please share your ideas. BTW my mini adapter is the 6″ one from Belkin.
Ian Hailey

Hi Jeff,

So you saying that with a new i7 Macbook and a new Apple Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter that there are no issue anymore with the 3007WFP?

Could you let us know what firmware version your adapter is running?

Regards,

Ian.
http://twitter.com/wangye Ye Wang

No Jeff, you are WRONG abut this statement: “Dell makes a 30-inch display with a full-size DisplayPort, but (as far as I know) there is no adapter to connect it to a Mini DisplayPort.”

DELL U3011 is the newer model with a full size DisplayPort and it works with MacBook Pros perfectly with a mini-DisplayPort to DisplayPort cable. $7 and no additional power required.

http://www.amazon.com/DisplayPort-32AWG-Cable-Plated-Connectors/dp/B0034X6SCY