Editor's note: If you are trying to connect an Apple LED Cinema Display to a USB-C MacBook or MacBook Pro, you should read this article.
Roger Harrop wrote in with a question that is on many, many of your minds, based on the email and Twitter queue:
I have an iMac27 run Lion, now I buy a cinema display 27, but at display setting only main screen have brightness adjust controller. And use keyboard to adjust screen brightness also only change main. @Mayer and Charles Fisher. The LED Cinema Display hasn't the ADC connector. It has the Mini DisplayPort cable. You must find a DVI to Mini DisplayPort adaptor to use this display.
I have just taken delivery of an impressive shiny new MacBook Pro, but I don’t seem able to get my Apple Cinema Display (A1267) to work with it. I bought the Apple Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter but that doesn’t work—I suspect because the monitor has a Mini DisplayPort plug not Thunderbolt 2?
This is definitely prima facie confusing, and has perplexed tons of people who have considered buying a new MacBook Pro or purchased one and are trying to squash connectors together. Let me unpack the issue.
DisplayPort is a display standard. There are dedicated connectors that only pass video using the DisplayPort standard. The 24-inch and 27-inch Apple Cinema Display LED models (including Roger’s) had a three-connector cable that included Mini DisplayPort, USB 2.0, and MagSafe power.
Thunderbolt 2 rolled up a form of PCI Express data plus video using DisplayPort, and could support other kinds of data formats, like FireWire, through adapters or docks. The connector looks identical to Mini DisplayPort, but a Thunderbolt 2 controller and port could handle either a DisplayPort-only monitor or a Thunderbolt 2-supporting monitor, such as the Apple Thunderbolt Display, sold from 2011 to 2016. The Apple Thunderbolt Display used Thunderbolt 2 to connect to a Mac and deliver via the monitor FireWire 800, ethernet, USB, a camera, mic, and speakers. It also had a MagSafe power connector.
Here’s where it gets tricky. The USB-C standard for connecting devices includes USB 2 and 3, but allows for a bunch of extras, including DisplayPort, which are called alternate modes. Which modes a computer or other device can use depends on the controller. Apple opted to include DisplayPort’s alternate mode with the 12-inch MacBook (2015 and 2016).
The 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pros with Thunderbolt 3 support DisplayPort either over USB-C or as a mode within Thunderbolt 3! So a monitor that offers DisplayPort over USB-C (at up to 4K) can work with any Mac with USB-C, because all of those models support DisplayPort over USB-C. A monitor that offers DisplayPort via Thunderbolt 3 (at up to 5K) uses the same USB-C connector, but only works with Thunderbolt 3 Macs, as the DisplayPort data is encapsulated as part of Thunderbolt 3’s data stream.
Whew.
Thunderbolt 3 is backwards compatible with Thunderbolt 2. Apple’s Thunderbolt 2 to Thunderbolt 3 adapter can pass through any Thunderbolt 2 data and it works with the new MacBook Pros. That includes supporting the Apple Thunderbolt Display. Manual mac software update.
With me?
The Cinema monitors with just DisplayPort support can’t work with the Thunderbolt 2 adapter, because they don’t wrap DisplayPort signals inside of the Thunderbolt 2 specification, so the data doesn’t pass over the adapter.
However, it’s still just DisplayPort. If you could obtain a USB-C adapter with a Mini DisplayPort jack in it, you can use an Apple Cinema Display with DisplayPort on a MacBook Pro with USB-C.
But there may still be a problem with 12-inch MacBooks. The folks at Nonda used Kickstarter to crowdfund the Hub+ back in 2015 to bring a full-featured dock that would have Mini DisplayPort for Apple Cinema Displays, passthrough power, and other features. Nonda canceled the project in October 2015, refunding all pledges. It said at the time it was unable to get an Apple Cinema Display to work reliably with the USB-C chipsets from major providers. Nonda later released the Hub+ mini (see our review) for just the 2015 MacBook with a reduced set of features, but still including a Mini DisplayPort jack. The firm reiterated to me a few months ago it hadn’t found chips that work with the 2016 model, which means the other solutions I note below may not work for either the 2015 or 2016 MacBooks.
One reader, Adam Miller, assembled a minor Frankenstein’s monster cable of a solution that he says works with his MacBook Pro! He used a USB-C to full-sized DisplayPort adapter, plugged in a standard DisplayPort to Mini DisplayPort Cable, plugged that into a Mini DisplayPort female-to-female adapter into which he connected the Cinema Display. It works!
It’s not expensive to try out. He purchased three Monoprice products that cost him under $30 including shipping: the Select Series USB-C to DisplayPort Adapter ($12.74), a Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort cable (3 feet, $4.24; longer versions available), and the Mini DisplayPort Coupler (Female to Female) Straight Type ($3.52). (You can buy the same or variants from other companies on Amazon, but will pay about $10 more, even with free shipping.)
Several companies are also already making USB-C to Mini DisplayPort direct adapters that one reader reported to me worked great with his Cinema Display and a new MacBook Pro. These cost from $12 to $20. However, every version I can find ships directly from China via Amazon and other sites and the arrival date is late December to mid-January. Wait a couple of weeks for when pallets of these may have arrived at American distributors, making them immediately available.
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Developer | Apple Inc. |
---|---|
Type | Computer monitor |
Release date | July 20, 2011; 8 years ago |
Discontinued | June 23, 2016 |
Predecessor | Apple LED Cinema Display |
Successor | Pro Display XDR |
Website | Official website |
The Apple Thunderbolt Display is a 27-inch flat panelcomputer monitor sold by Apple Inc. from July 2011 to June 2016. It replaced the former Apple LED Cinema Display. New to the Thunderbolt Display was the switch from Mini DisplayPort and USB to a single Thunderbolt connection for data transfer between computer and display. The increased throughput from switching to Thunderbolt enabled inclusion of a Gigabit Ethernet port and a FireWire 800 port on the display. Older model Macs introduced prior to 2011 with Mini DisplayPort and the single USB-C retina MacBook are incompatible with the Thunderbolt Display.[1]
Apple Thunderbolt Display was succeeded by the Pro Display XDR on June 3, 2019 at the World Wide Developers Conference.
- 3Using multiple displays
27-inch model[edit]
Like its 27-inch LED Cinema Display predecessor, the resolution of the 27-inch model is 2560×1440 pixels, and follows a 16:9aspect ratio. It was made with aluminium and glass, having a similar appearance to the current ranges of iMac and MacBook Pro unibody designs. The display featured a built-in 720p[2]FaceTime HD camera (replacing the iSight in the previous model), microphone, and stereo speaker system with subwoofer (2.1 channel). An octopus cable combining Thunderbolt and MagSafe is permanently attached to the back of the display for data input and charging laptops, respectively. There is also a separate Thunderbolt port, a FireWire 800 port, three USB 2.0 ports, and a Gigabit Ethernet port.
![Mac Cinema Display Manual Mac Cinema Display Manual](/uploads/1/2/4/6/124629259/612288585.jpg)
The Thunderbolt port allows for the possibility of daisy chaining Thunderbolt Displays from a supported Mac, or connecting other devices that have Thunderbolt ports, such as external hard drives and video capture devices.
Apple released Rev B of the Thunderbolt Display (model MC914LL/B) which includes a MagSafe to MagSafe 2 adaptor to the charging cable built into the display.[citation needed]
On June 23, 2016 Apple announced through a statement that it was discontinuing the Thunderbolt Display and would no longer produce stand-alone displays, saying 'There are a number of great third-party options available for Mac users.'[3] Apple subsequently worked with LG to design Thunderbolt 3 enabled 4K and 5K displays.[4]
On April 5, 2018 Apple announced that it would re-enter the standalone display business in 2019 by releasing a new display with a new version of the Mac Pro.[5] On June 3, 2019, Apple announced the Pro Display XDR.
Backward and forward compatibility[edit]
Apple Thunderbolt Displays, like the video input on Thunderbolt iMacs, drop compatibility with all previous standards, including VGA, DVI, and DisplayPort.[6] They are not compatible with computers that do not have a Thunderbolt port, including pre-2011 Macs and the vast majority of PCs.
As of April 2018, MacBook (Retina) 12' laptops only have a USB-C port, which cannot communicate with a Thunderbolt adapter. However, newer MacBook Pro have Thunderbolt 3 ports. Although these ports have the same connector as USB-C, they are compatible with the Thunderbolt protocol, and can use a Thunderbolt Display with a Thunderbolt 3-to-2 adapter.[7]
Using multiple displays[edit]
MacBook Pro[edit]
- Macbook Pro (2011): 2 Displays: Can daisy chain two Apple Thunderbolt Displays together to get two displays, but the laptop's LCD may turn off.[8][9]
- Macbook Pro (2012): 2+2 Displays: Can daisy chain two Apple Thunderbolt Displays, in addition to one HDMI display and the Macbook Pro's own display, for four displays total[10][11]
- MacBook Pro (Late 2016): Apple released a Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter for enabling the Thunderbolt 3 ports of MacBook Pro (Late 2016) to connect to Thunderbolt 2 devices. The Thunderbolt Display must be connected using its built-in octopus cable, as the adapter will not work with a Thunderbolt 2 cable connected to the Thunderbolt Display's rear Thunderbolt port.
MacBook Air[edit]
- MacBook Air (Mid 2011): 1+1 Displays: Can use one Apple Thunderbolt display, in addition to the MacBook Air's own display.[12][8]
- MacBook Air (Mid 2012): 2+1 Displays: Can daisy chain two Apple Thunderbolt displays, in addition to the MacBook Air's own display.[13]
MacBook[edit]
- MacBook Retina (all models [early 2015, late 2016 and mid 2017]): Cannot be connected with Apple Thunderbolt Display as it lacks a Thunderbolt port. [14]
Mac Pro[edit]
- Mac Pro (Late 2013): 6 Displays: Can run six Apple Thunderbolt Displays using six Thunderbolt ports.[15]
Mac mini[edit]
- Mac mini (Mid 2011): 1 Display. 2 Displays daisy chained: AMD version[16]
- Mac mini (Late 2012): 2 Displays daisy chained.[17]
- Mac mini (Late 2014): 2 Displays.[18]
- Mac mini (2018): 2 Displays using TB3 to TB2 converter.[19]
Technical specifications[edit]
Mac Cinema Display Manual 2017
Component | LED-backlit LCD |
---|---|
Model | Apple Thunderbolt Display (27-Inch)[1][20] |
Release date(s) | July 20, 2011 |
Discontinued | June 23, 2016 |
Model number(s) | A1407 |
Display | 27 inches, TFTIPS active-matrix LCD, glossy glass covered screen, QHD (2560x1440 pixels) resolution, LED edge-lit backlight. |
16:9 aspect ratio (widescreen) | |
Pixel density(in pixels per inch) | 109 |
Response time | 12 ms |
Refresh rate | 59.95 Hz |
Colors | 16.7 million (maximum) True Color |
Contrast ratio | 1000:1 |
Brightness | 375 cd/m² |
Viewing angle | 178° horizontal; 178° vertical |
Power input | IEC 60320 C7 port, 100-240 V AC @ 50–60 Hz (Up to 250 W while charging a MacBook Pro via MagSafe cable, 2 W or less in energy saver mode) |
Material | Aluminium frame and glass front |
Audio output | 2.1 channel speaker system (49 watts) |
Cables and peripheral connections |
Cables
Peripheral connections
|
Miscellaneous |
|
Dimensions (h × w × d, with stand) | 19.35 in × 25.7 in × 8.15 in (49.1 cm × 65.0 cm × 20.7 cm) |
Weight | 23.5 lb. (10.8 kg) |
System Requirements | Mac OS X 10.6.8 or later, Thunderbolt port |
Successor[edit]
Apple Led Cinema Display
In April 2018, Apple confirmed that a new generation of Apple-branded displays will be released after 2018 alongside with the next generation of the Mac Pro.[21][22]
See also[edit]
- Apple displays
- Apple Studio Display (1998–2004)
- Apple Cinema Display (1999–2011)
- Apple Pro Display XDR (2019-Current)
References[edit]
- ^ ab'Apple – Thunderbolt Display – Read the tech specs'. Apple Inc. Retrieved August 20, 2011.
- ^Miles, Stuart (November 1, 2011). 'Apple Thunderbolt Display review'. Pocket-lint. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
- ^Clover, Juli. 'Apple Discontinues Thunderbolt Display'. Retrieved June 24, 2016.
- ^'Apple Says It's Out of the Standalone Display Business'.
- ^'Apple Planning Modular Mac Pro Release for 2019, New Pro Workflow Team Providing Feedback for Professional Needs'.
- ^'Apple Thunderbolt Display 27-inch User Manual'(PDF).
- ^'Adapters for the Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) or USB-C port on your Mac'.
- ^ abSlivka, Eric. 'Apple Thunderbolt Display with Multiple Monitors: No Daisy Chaining Mini DisplayPort Monitors'. macrumors.
- ^'Dual 27' Apple Thunderbolt Displays Daisy Chained via Macbook Pro'. YouTube. September 22, 2011.
- ^'MacBook Pro 15' with Retina Display Can Run 3 External Displays'. Retrieved February 21, 2014.
- ^'MacBook Pro Retina Display does not run 3 Thunderbolt Displays'. Retrieved February 21, 2014.
- ^'Review of Apple Thunderbolt Display'. AnandTech.
- ^'Thunderbolt ports and displays: Frequently asked questions (FAQ)'. Retrieved March 4, 2014.
- ^'How to connect an Apple Display to a USB-C MacBook'. Macworld. Retrieved October 10, 2016.
- ^'Mac Pro (Late 2013): Using multiple displays'. Retrieved February 21, 2014.
- ^https://support.apple.com/kb/sp632
- ^https://support.apple.com/kb/sp659
- ^https://support.apple.com/kb/sp710
- ^https://www.apple.com/mac-mini/specs/
- ^'Apple Thunderbolt Display – Technical Specifications'. Apple Inc. September 16, 2011. Retrieved September 17, 2011.
- ^'Apple Refreshes Mac Pro Lineup, Says All-New Modular Model With Apple-Branded Pro Displays Coming After 2017'.
- ^'Apple-branded display in the works for iMac 'Pro' and Mac Pro'.
External links[edit]
- Apple Thunderbolt Display – official site at Apple
- Apple Thunderbolt Display – 27-inch user manual at Apple
![Manual Manual](/uploads/1/2/4/6/124629259/861724404.jpg)
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