Don't you just hate Apple when they decide to use some idea or concept that isn't widespread at all? I mean, the decision wouldn't be so bad if they fixed the problem, but they usually stick with their concepts and try to impose them against already common solutions. Remember Firewire VS. USB? That didn't turn out very good. USB is now the king of all mobile and non-mobile gadgets and if USB 3.0 doesn't screw it up (I can't see how it could, but never say “no”), it will continue to lead the industry for the next 10 years or so.

Anyway, it seems like Apple is at it again, but is now using the not-so-popular DisplayPort technology. DisplayPort is meant to be an open format HDMI competitor which allows HD video and audio to be streamed on the same physical connection. Every MacBook owner who tried to connect his/her new device to a big screen HDTV had found out the hard way why different standards aren't always welcome in the IT world.

The MacBooks only feature a Mini DisplayPort connector and there's no native VGA, DVI or HDMI alternative. Why did Apple force its buyers into a standard which hasn't really seen any strong support by now? Could it be money? Some kind of easy payment plan between Apple and the DisplayPort developers? Don't think so. I mean, Apple only wants what's best for their customers, right? So this solution will probably arrive at some point in the future.

Well, until the aforementioned solution does arrive and you buy a new HDTV with DisplayPort, MonoPrice will provide buyers with simple Mini DisplayPort to HDMI connectors. This will be the only hassle-free solution to connect your MacBook to a HDTV, since the only other solution right now is purchasing an Apple Mini DisplayPort to DVI adapter ($100 for the Dual-Link DVI version) to couple with a regular DVI to HDMI solution. Now this is really stupid. Apple already sells overpriced devices, why should customers have to spend over a hundred dollars just to connect a MacBook to their TVs?

Anyway, the MonoPrice alternative will be a lot cheaper (pricing isn't available yet) and it won't require users to daisy-chain two adapters.

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