[ale] Why do they keep putting VGA on Netbooks?!?!

[justin caratzas]

Strange, my ideapad has a HDMI out.  There's still hope!

I understand the frustration though.

-- justin

On Sun, Jan 30, 2011 at 10:49 PM, Ron Frazier
<atllinuxenthinfo at c3energy.com> wrote:
> Richard,
>
> Thanks for clearing that up, sort of.
>
> OK, you're saying that a DVI output port can easily drive a VGA display.
> OK, I get that, so, a NEW computer can drive an OLD monitor, with an
> adapter.
>
> But, you're also saying that an OLD computer with a VGA port CANNOT easily
> drive a NEW monitor with a DVI input port without an expensive converter.
>
> That's a big problem.  What I meant by my compatibility comment is  that the
> VGA output port is the most common, most ubiquitous, and most pervasive
> video output available on all types of PC equipment.  ( I have no idea about
> Mac, Sun, etc. )  So, every time I buy a new monitor or projector, which
> probably happens more often than I buy computers, I have to worry about
> whether it has a VGA input port so it will work with my old equipment, some
> of which dates back to 2002.  Otherwise, I have to worry about buying a
> converter in addition to the price of the monitor.
>
> So, I guess I don't have a problem with them putting DVI on newer computers,
> if you can easily adapt to VGA.  However, I DO have a problem with them not
> putting VGA INPUTS on monitors and projectors and KVM's if that's going to
> make it impossible to use older equipment.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Ron
>
> On 01/27/2011 08:19 AM, Richard Bronosky wrote:
>
> No. There are lots of flaws in your understanding.
> 1. DVI out (which is always DVI-I) includes both digital and analog.
> Therefore, it is easily "adapted" to VGA or HDMI via simple pin mapping. No
> electronics needed to do conversion.
> 2. DVI inputs (which are almost always DVI-D) will not accept DVI-A which is
> what you would have if you adapted VGA to DVI. This is because there is no
> D-A chipset backing that port.
> 3. VGA is not widely "compatible". All VGA signals start off digital inside
> the video card. They then pass through a D-A converter chipset. If that
> signal is sent to either a DVI port or the rare new DisplayPort both digital
> AND analog is available. This is compatible with ALL displays. If that
> signal is sent to VGA the digital is discarded and it is incompatible with
> most modern displays. If the video card uses HDMI only, there is no D-A
> conversion, they save money on the D-A chipset, and it is compatible with
> only the modern displays.
>
> Now that you know this I believe you can share in my frustration. "With
> great knowledge comes great frustration."
>
> On Jan 27, 2011 6:57 AM, "Ron Frazier" <atllinuxenthinfo at c3energy.com>
> wrote:
>
> I presume you could adapt vga - dvi the same way you could adapt dvi -
> vga. My Dell Inspiron 1525 has VGA and HDMI. However, my son's Dell
> Inspiron 1545 does not have HDMI, so you have to check each model
> number. They probably figure that VGA is still the most widely
> compatible option. The trend now days seems to be fewer connector
> options and fewer indicator lights. I can never tell when my son's
> laptop is busy because it has no hard drive light. I hate that.
>
> Ron
>
> On 01/27/2011 01:19 AM, Richard Bronosky wrote:
>
>> I complained about this 4 years ago. I can't believe I'm still finding
>> myself saying "I want to ...
>
> (PS - If you email me and don't get a quick response, you might want to
> call on the phone.  I get about 300 emails per day from alternate energy
> mailing lists and such.  I don't always see new messages very quickly.)
>
> --
>
> (PS - If you email me and don't get a quick response, you might want to
> call on the phone.  I get about 300 emails per day from alternate energy
> mailing lists and such.  I don't always see new messages very quickly.)
>
> Ron Frazier
>
> 770-205-9422 (O)   Leave a message.
> linuxdude AT c3energy.com
>
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