Best Active Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapters for Microsoft Surface | ||
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1. - Cable Matters Active Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter (Active Mini DP to DVI) Supporting Eyefinity Technology By Cable Matters $11.59 $21.99 47% OFF | |
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2. - gofanco Mini DP to DVI Active Mini Displayport 1.2 to DVI-D Single Link Adapter Converter Thunderbolt 2, Eyefinity Compatible, Multiple Screens Supported for Gaming, Up to 4K @ 30Hz (See Bullet 2) By gofanco Not Available | |
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3. - StarTech.com Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter - 1080p - Single Link - Active - Mini DP (Thunderbolt) to DVI Monitor Adapter (MDP2DVIS), Black Active By StarTech.com $26.95 | |
We have been lucky to find the best Active Mini DisplayPort to DVI adapter, which features 4K support, a high-quality connector, and durability. Every Microsoft device, including the Surface Pro series, Surface 3, Surface Book, and Surface Dock, uses Mini DisplayPort to connect to external displays.
SEE ALSO:
- Best Active Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter for Microsoft Surface
- Best Active Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort for Microsoft Surface
Active vs Passive Mini DisplayPort to DVI adapter
When you are looking for an adapter to convert from Mini DisplayPort to DVI for your Surface devices, you need to know the difference between a passive and an active adapter.
Many users experience problems when they try to connect dual external displays to their Surface Dock. The main reason is that the Dock doesn’t support dual-mode Display (DP++). The DP++ can dynamically convert the signal from Mini DisplayPort to DVI, so Surface Dock needs an active adapter with a special chip for signal conversion.
Generally, an active adapter is more expensive than a passive adapter. However, if you have a Surface Dock, the active adapter will be a required accessory. Here are the best active adapters that allow your Surface devices to output up to 4K display.
4 Cable Matters Active Mini DisplayPort to DVI
-47%To start with, the Microsoft Surface team recommends this Cable Matters gold-plated Active Mini DisplayPort to DVI adapter for use with Surface devices, especially the Surface Dock. This active adapter allows your Surface devices to output up to 1920 x 1200 or 1080p resolution to your HDTVs, monitors, or projectors via a DVI port.
This cable features a lightweight, portable design and durable gold-plated connectors to improve data transmission. This active adapter allows your Surface Dock to connect to a dual 1080p display without problems. It also supports AMD Eyefinity multi-display technology and is compatible with all Mini DisplayPort and Thunderbolt Port 2 available on Surface/Mac/PC and tablets. This adapter is not compatible with the Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) port.
5 gofanco® Active Gold Plated Mini DisplayPort to DVI Converter 4K
Next is the GOFANCO Active Gold Plated Mini DisplayPort to DVI Convert adapter. The Microsoft Surface team also recommends this active adapter, which is designed to be compatible with the Microsoft Surface Dock and AMD Eyefinity graphics adapter.
It has been tested to support resolution up to 1080p @60Hz or 4K (3840×2160) @30Hz. For resolutions above 1920×1200 60Hz, you will require monitors to support a DVI-D single link speed of 340 MHz. It is compatible with all Surface Pro series, Surface 3, Surface Book, other ultrabooks, and laptops with a Mini DisplayPort or Thunderbolt port output.
6 StarTech MDP2DVIS Mini DisplayPort to DVI Active Adapter
The last one is the StarTech.com active Mini DisplayPort to DVI active adapter. This active adapter supports Mini DisplayPort 1.1a while being backward compatible with mDP 1.0. This adapter will convert Mini DisplayPort to DVI while maintaining the high quality of the picture.
This active adapter can support resolutions up to 1920×1200 or 1080p. It offers an active conversion for graphics adapters that are not capable of outputting multi-mode DP++, such as Surface Dock or AMD Eyefinity graphics adapters. It is also compatible with all tablets, ultrabooks, and laptops with a Mini DisplayPort Output and HDMI-enabled HDTVs, monitors, and projectors.
Conclusion
Those are the best Active Mini DisplayPort to DVI Converter adapters that work perfectly with your Microsoft Surface devices and Surface Dock. The GOFANCO active adapter will bring the 4K resolution to your 4K TVs and monitors if those displays support DVI-D with a single link speed of 340Hz. Finally, any of those adapters will allow your Surface Dock to connect to two additional displays without problems.
Please share any problems you experienced with our recommended active adapters in the comments section below.
