VGA Cables in 2025: Are They Still Relevant?

April 22, 2025

by Colin Hegarty

VGA Cables in 2025: Are They Still Relevant?

Despite the tech industry's constant drive toward innovation, one legacy technology continues to hold strong: the VGA cable. As we enter 2025, it's natural to wonder if VGA still has a place in today’s increasingly digital and high-definition world. The short answer? Yes: but with caveats. Whether you're working in enterprise IT, education, healthcare, or government sectors, understanding the role of VGA monitor cables today can help you make smarter decisions for your tech infrastructure.

A Quick Refresher: What Is a VGA Cable?

The VGA cable (short for Video Graphics Array) has been a video output standard since the late 1980s. Known for its distinctive blue connector and 15-pin layout, VGA supports analog video signals, which were ideal for CRT monitors and early flat-panel displays.

While it's been largely replaced by HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB-C in consumer electronics, VGA cables continues to be found in many professional settings, particularly where reliability, cost-effectiveness, and compatibility with older hardware are priorities.

Why VGA Still Matters in 2025

1. Widespread Legacy Hardware

Many organizations, especially in government and education, still rely on older projectors, monitors, and desktops that use VGA monitor cables. In these environments, upgrading the entire AV system isn’t always feasible or necessary. VGA cables allow for cost-effective continuity without sacrificing functionality.

2. Simplicity and Reliability

Unlike digital interfaces that require handshake protocols and driver compatibility, VGA is plug-and-play and just works. For IT administrators managing dozens of devices in a school lab or municipal office, that kind of simplicity is invaluable.

3. Adapter-Friendly

In multi-device setups, VGA adapters are still widely available, allowing users to connect modern laptops (via HDMI or USB-C) to older displays or projectors that only support VGA. These hybrid setups are common in hybrid classrooms and legacy-equipped meeting rooms.

The Drawbacks You Shouldn’t Ignore

Of course, VGA isn’t perfect. It doesn’t support audio, it’s limited to lower resolutions compared to HDMI or DisplayPort, and signal quality can degrade over longer distances. For users who require 4K video or crystal-clear presentation graphics, digital connections are the better choice.

Final Verdict: Still Relevant, But Use With Purpose

So, is the VGA cable still relevant in 2025? Absolutely, you just need the right strategy. For environments relying on legacy tech, VGA remains a reliable, cost-effective solution. That said, if you're upgrading your workspace or designing a new setup, investing in modern video standards is the smarter long-term play.

At 4XEM, we offer a full range of VGA monitor cables, adapters, and video accessories to keep your systems running smoothly, whether you're embracing the future or maintaining mission-critical legacy hardware.