Video Graphics Array

Video Graphics Array (VGA) is a display standard developed by IBM for their, with 640 x 480 pixels in a minimum of 16 colors (later at a 4:3 aspect ratio. There is also a less-commonly used text mode with 720 x 400 pixels.

History
IBM technical references define the official product name of their original VGA display board as Video Graphics Array, released in 1986. This naming convention is in contrast to the preceding boards, the ' (CGA) and ' (EGA), released in 1981 and 1984, respectively.

Extended standards
In 1990, IBM sought to update VGA with their  (XGA) standard, with 640 x 480 in 16-bit color, or 1024 x 768 pixels in at least 256 colors. However, 3rd-party video card manufacturers had already widely adopted the 800 x 600 resolution of  (SVGA), standardized by the (VESA) through their  in 1989. Super VGA became a generic term for higher PC video resolutions, including XGA, before the adoption of high-definition video.

Macintosh compatibility
The Macintosh II was introduced by Apple Computer in 1987 with color video cards that used signals derived from VGA, but using its own physical connector — a wider instead of VGA's more compact  (sometimes called HD-15). This led to the use of adapters to connect VGA and SVGA displays with color-capable Macs.


 * * Connecting Mac pins 7 and 10 would indicate a standard 640 x 480 VGA monitor.