Accelerate Your Mac! - Peek at the Promax Mac compatible Matrox G400 Dual output graphics card

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G400 pix
Sneak Peek: Promax's Dual Monitor Matrox G400 Max Graphics Card
Published: 4/3/2000

(Note - As mentioned in the November 2, 2000 news, Promax noted this card is now shipping. See this Exclusive First Look at the shipping card with details, posted 11/6/2000.)
I first heard of Promax's plans for a Mac version of the Matrox G400 Max card while talking to Charles F. McConathy, Promax's president regarding a post in the forums on their Turbomax card last month. Promax asked that postings not be made until they had their own spec sheet and announcement. However after a reader sent word that another site had posted a note on the card, I contacted Charles again and was given the OK to post the info below (from their PDF spec sheet, converted to GIF format to reduce file size).
The card is based on the Matrox G400 Max with Promax developing the Mac firmware. The card is expected to be available in late May/early June at $299 list ($89 for DVI module).
I've asked Charles about OpenGL and driver support and will update this page with that info when received. The PC version has excellent DVD playback, but currently Apple's software player only supports ATI cards. The images below show the specs and options for the card. Standard is dual monitor support with a supplied adapter for Svideo/Composite video use just like the PC version.
It is unknown if features of the chip like hardware environment bump mapping will be utilized on the Mac. I'll keep you posted of any news on this card as it develops. The DVI output option takes up an adjacent PCI slot but for owners of Cinema LCD displays (and Apple's latest 15" LCD display) I'm sure it will be worth it.
Note: This card is AGP only. Matrox has never made a PCI version of the G400, so the card will require a G4/AGP system (aka Sawtooth). (There was talk of an AGP/PCI adapter, but I can't envision how this could be done physically.)

Pictures of card and adapters
Specs and Info

Related Links:

Promax's Web Site
Matrox's G400 product page
Tech Info on the G400 (All features may not be supported on the Mac)
Other Site Video Card Articles and Reviews

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Copyright ©, 2000.

No part of this sites content or images are to be reproduced or distributed in any form without written permission.
All brand or product names mentioned here are properties of their respective companies.
Legal: Users of the web site must read and are bound by the terms and conditions of use.

The Source for Mac Performance News and Reviews
Sneak Peek: Promax's Dual Monitor Matrox G400 Max Graphics Card Published: 4/3/2000
(Note - As mentioned in the November 2, 2000 news, Promax noted this card is now shipping. See this Exclusive First Look at the shipping card with details, posted 11/6/2000.) I first heard of Promax's plans for a Mac version of the Matrox G400 Max card while talking to Charles F. McConathy, Promax's president regarding a post in the forums on their Turbomax card last month. Promax asked that postings not be made until they had their own spec sheet and announcement. However after a reader sent word that another site had posted a note on the card, I contacted Charles again and was given the OK to post the info below (from their PDF spec sheet, converted to GIF format to reduce file size). The card is based on the Matrox G400 Max with Promax developing the Mac firmware. The card is expected to be available in late May/early June at $299 list ($89 for DVI module). I've asked Charles about OpenGL and driver support and will update this page with that info when received. The PC version has excellent DVD playback, but currently Apple's software player only supports ATI cards. The images below show the specs and options for the card. Standard is dual monitor support with a supplied adapter for Svideo/Composite video use just like the PC version. It is unknown if features of the chip like hardware environment bump mapping will be utilized on the Mac. I'll keep you posted of any news on this card as it develops. The DVI output option takes up an adjacent PCI slot but for owners of Cinema LCD displays (and Apple's latest 15" LCD display) I'm sure it will be worth it. Note: This card is AGP only. Matrox has never made a PCI version of the G400, so the card will require a G4/AGP system (aka Sawtooth). (There was talk of an AGP/PCI adapter, but I can't envision how this could be done physically.) Related Links: Promax's Web Site Matrox's G400 product page Tech Info on the G400 (All features may not be supported on the Mac) Other Site Video Card Articles and Reviews
Back to WWW.XLR8YOURMAC.COM
Copyright ©, 2000. No part of this sites content or images are to be reproduced or distributed in any form without written permission. All brand or product names mentioned here are properties of their respective companies. Legal: Users of the web site must read and are bound by the terms and conditions of use.