If your MacBook and monitor don't have matching ports, you can use an adapter to bridge two different cable types, such as Thunderbolt 3 to HDMI.

If you're not sure which port you can use for a monitor, go to, select your model, and find the ports under 'Charging and Expansion.'.

On MacBook Pro and Air models made between 20, you'll see a square with two vertical lines instead.

You'll see a lightning bolt icon near this port on MacBook Air models from 2011-2017, and MacBook Pros from 2011-2015. Thunderbolt 1, Thunderbolt 2, or Mini DisplayPort: The original Thunderbolt ports both have 6 sides and are not oval-shaped.HDMI: A six-sided tapered port found on 2021 MacBook Pros, as well as MacBook Pros from 2012 to 2015.USB-C: An oval port without a lightning bolt icon.Thunderbolt 3, Thunderbolt 4, and Thunderbolt USB 4: An oval port with a lightning bolt, found on all MacBook Pros beginning in 2016, and MacBook Airs beginning in 2018.These are the connections your MacBook may have: But if your monitor and your laptop don't have the same ports, don't worry-in most cases, you can get an adapter that can bridge two video types, such as Thunderbolt to HDMI, which makes it possible to use nearly any type of monitor with your MacBook. You'll need to make sure you have a port on your Mac that is compatible with an input on your monitor.

VGA or DVI: Less common nowadays are VGA ports, which are 15-holed ports with two pins on either side, and DVI ports, which have 24 holes and a gap on one side.įind your MacBook's video output.

If you see an icon of a black 'D' with a white 'P' inside, the port supports DisplayPort, which means you can use a USB-C or DisplayPort-compatible monitor.

If you see a lightning bolt with an arrow at the bottom next to the port, the port supports Thunderbolt 3, and you can use a USB-C or Thunderbolt 3-compatible monitor.

You can connect to a monitor with your USB-C port if you see one of the following: Not all USB-C ports support connecting to a monitor, though.

USB-C: This is an oval-shaped port on many modern PC laptops.

DisplayPort: The size is similar to HDMI, but one of the corners is bent inward while the other forms a 90-degree angle.

HDMI: This is a 6-sided trapezoid-shaped port that's about ¾ of an inch wide.

X Research source There are a few main types of connections that your laptop may have: The most common ports are HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB-C. Most PC laptops have at least one port that can be used for video output. Determine your laptop's video output options.

Acer laptop hdmi input