Are the old (2005-2013 or so) 30" Apple monitors compatible with new (2020 version) MacPros??

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Are the old (2005-2013 or so) 30" Apple monitors compatible with new (2020 version) MacPros??

I am considering ordering new MacPros for our scientists here. I still have a number of old 30" monitors, which I was able to use with the "trash can" style MacPros by using an adapter. Trash cans are gone now and they are back to cheese grater style. Will my old 30" monitors (with the cords that split into 3? parts) still work with new (2020) MacPros? (And, yes, I get that the old monitors resolution may not show the full visual impact of the graphics in today's MacPro).

Posted on Jul 28, 2020 11:40 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Grant Bennet-Alder

Level 10

133,201 points

Jul 28, 2020 11:57 AM in response to SolarAdmin

if you did not discard the Apple Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI adapters, the hookup is straightforward. You MUST supply 5 Volt power on the USB input to the adapter, but you need not use a USB-A port to supply that power (you could use an iPad charger, for example).

For USB-C Mac, you will need an additional adapter from USB-C to Mini DisplayPort. This case is one of very, very few exceptions to the rule, "you can not 'stack' display adapters".

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Answer 2

SolarAdmin Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 28, 2020 12:26 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Sysadmins never throw away any (working) device. lol I have most if not all of the pictured items.

Thank goodness they didn't make it complicated or anything. (sarcasm). Still better than paying $5k+

for new monitors. Thanks for your reply.

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Answer 3

Jul 28, 2020 1:40 PM in response to SolarAdmin

Do note the resolution will be limited to what the displays can well.. display. So you won't get 4K or 5K out of them. 2560x1600 is what you'll get. So they might not be the best choice to use with a MacPro that can display far higher resolutions and refresh rates if you are planning on doing video editing and image processing that requires 4K or 5K display.

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Answer 4

SolarAdmin Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 29, 2020 6:50 AM in response to Phil0124

Yes, I understand that. As far as I know none of our scientists are doing any video editing, or any other video-intensive applications. Thanks for your input.

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Are the old (2005-2013 or so) 30" Apple monitors compatible with new (2020 version) MacPros??

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