Its size is between the full-sized DVI and the tiny Micro-DVI.

In October 2008, Apple announced the company was phasing Mini-DVI out in favor of Mini DisplayPort.

Mini-DVI connectors on Apple hardware are capable of carrying DVI, VGA, or TV signals through the use of adapters, detected with EDID (Extended display identification data) via DDC.

There are various types of Mini-DVI adapter: Non-OEM Mini-DVI to HDMI adapters and cables are also available at online stores such as eBay and Amazon, and from some retail stores, but were not sold by Apple.

The physical connector is similar to Mini-VGA, but is differentiated by having four rows of pins arranged in two vertically stacked slots rather than the two rows of pins in the Mini-VGA.