Don’t Toss That Old Monitor Yet: How To Connect Old Displays To Modern Laptops
Product Owners | September 30, 2025
If you've ever passed up an old monitor at a thrift store or let a vintage projector collect dust in your office closet, it's time to rethink the value of these so-called "obsolete" devices. With the right adapter, your modern USB-C laptop can connect seamlessly to legacy DVI or VGA displays—and Plugable has just the tools to make it happen.
The Hidden Value in Legacy Tech
Many modern laptops, especially ultrabooks and MacBooks, have trimmed down their ports to just USB-C or Thunderbolt 4. While this sleek design is great for portability, it often leaves you scrambling for ways to connect to external displays. You may think that you would never be able to connect to an old display or projector on these devices. Enter the Plugable USB-C to DVI and USB-C to VGA adapters—small, simple, and surprisingly powerful tools that unlock a new world of connectivity.
Why Consider Older Displays?
Legacy monitors and projectors are everywhere—from family basements to garage sales to the clearance corner of your local thrift shop. These displays may not be 4K or HDR-ready, but they still serve a valuable role, especially when:
- You need an extra monitor for multitasking, but don’t want to spend $200+
- You’re setting up a home office on a budget
- You want to use an old projector for a family movie night
- You're giving new life to gear that would otherwise become e-waste
- You want to create a dedicated display for meetings, chat, dashboards, or even retro gaming
Plugable USB-C to DVI and VGA Adapters: Simple, Reliable Connectivity
These Plugable adapters are plug-and-play—no drivers required—and support resolutions up to 1920x1200 (DVI) or 1920x1080 (VGA), making them great for secondary displays. Just connect the USB-C end to the host and use a DVI or VGA cable to connect the adapter to the display!
Sustainability Meets Productivity
Using what you already have—or can find secondhand—not only saves you money but also helps reduce electronic waste. Electronics don't break down in landfills easily. By extending the life of older displays with modern USB-C adapters, you're keeping perfectly good tech out of the trash and in productive use.
Budget-Friendly Multi-Monitor Setups
For users interested in trying a multi-monitor setup without committing to expensive displays, legacy monitors are a great low-risk entry point. Whether you’re coding on one screen, video conferencing on another, and checking emails on a third, Plugable makes that experience accessible even on a tight budget.
FAQ
Q: Will these adapters work with my MacBook?
A: Absolutely. Just make sure your Mac supports USB-C DisplayPort Alternate Mode. These adapters don’t require drivers and are compatible with both Windows and macOS.
Q: What’s the difference between DVI and VGA?
A: VGA is analog (think really old monitors), while DVI is digital. Both can display up to Full HD resolutions, but DVI usually offers a crisper image.
Q: How do I know if a monitor has DVI or VGA ports?
A: DVI and VGA ports look quite different compared to the modern HDMI and DisplayPort inputs. Notably, they have ports with very clear “pins” and holes for said pins. They can also have distinct colors, with DVI ports often being cream/off-white, and VGA ports being blue.
Let’s Wrap It Up
Whether you’re outfitting a home office, setting up a second screen for your hybrid work setup, finding a projector for a budget home theater setup, or just looking to extend the life of an old monitor, Plugable's USB-C to DVI and VGA adapters are cost-effective, eco-friendly, and easy to use.
So next time you pass by that dusty monitor or projector with a $5 sticker, don’t walk away. Plug in, power up, and give it a new purpose. Check out our lineup of USB-C to DVI and VGA adapters below!
Need more advice? Chat with Watts!
Plugable's AI Chat Assistant
Loading Comments