A new wave of consumer electronics devices featuring DisplayPort as the only display interface are sweeping the industry. Driven by consumer demand for higher display performance in thin formats, today’s hottest brands are leveraging DisplayPort to increase device display capabilities as well as improve design. Including DisplayPort as the only port offers a unified high-speed digital interface for the display, therefore bringing the ultimate visual experience to the consumer.
As the computer industry continues to phase out DVI, VGA and even HDMI ports from PCs, DisplayPort is becoming the display interface of choice in the PC industry. One reason is that DisplayPort supports VGA, DVI and HDMI displays through the use of simple adapters, and provides much greater capability for native DisplayPort monitors. Having just one display output also enables smaller and lighter designs. Soon we will be seeing more systems that support DisplayPort multi-stream, enabling multiple monitors from one DisplayPort output. DisplayPort is also the only display interface that can support 4K (Ultra HD) at 60Hz frame rate using a single cable.
A few years ago, both Intel and Advanced Micro Devices announced the phasing out of chipset support for VGA and DVI and discouraging PC makers from adding these connections to new devices. Apple was an early DisplayPort-only adopter and then migrated to Thunderbolt, which is DisplayPort-compatible. Today, other leading companies including Microsoft, Google, Dell and Lenovo are among other VESA members that offer DisplayPort-only products – featuring only DisplayPort and no HDMI, DVI or VGI outputs.
Some new devices reaching the market are starting to enable DisplayPort v1.2 features such as HBR2 (High Bit Rate 2), enabling support for 4K (Ultra HD) at 60 Hz through a single cable. Another DisplayPort v1.2 feature appearing in devices is Multi-Stream Technology (MST), allowing support for multiple monitors through a single cable, using a video hub or daisy-chainable displays. We expect to see an influx in devices with DisplayPort v1.2 capabilities appear on the market in 2013.
Below, we have included photos of the recent devices that include DisplayPort as the only display interface. Check them out and let us know which is your favorite in the comments section below.
Microsoft Surface Pro with Windows 8
Google Chromebook Pixel
Dell XPS 13 Ultrabook
Dell XPS 12 Convertible Touch Ultrabook
Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Carbon Ultrabook
Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Carbon Touch Ultrabook
Lenovo Thinkpad Helix Ultrabook Convertible