Apple Cinema Display 30’’ with M1 Apple Silicon Mac

I have 30” Cinema Display and a 2018 MacBook Pro connected to it via a Henge dock and I can use the full resolution. However when I unplug the pro and plug in my m1 MacBook Air I do not get the full resolution. I haven’t spent any more time of on it than that brief try so I’m unsure if the MacBook Air can drive this screen.

Update: I didn’t see the comment about the option key to see the full list of resolutions so I tried this an it works!

To be clear: I have this Stone - USB-C Multi-Port Desktop Hub for MacBook - Mini DisplayPort, Ethernet Port, Power Supply, 3 USB Ports, USB-C Port, SD Card, and Headphone/Speaker Connections https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076W7GVFY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glc_fabc_.sG-FbH6WMSNX?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

and it’s plugged into the original cable and power brick that came with the screen.

hope this help!

Yes, I have. (With a caveat.)

I have a new M1 Mini and a 2006ish 30-inch Apple Cinema HD Display.

What worked?

This: StarTech.com USB 3.1 Type-C to Dual-Link DVI-I Adapter - Digital Only - 2560 x 1600 - Active USB-C to DVI Video Adapter Converter (CDP2DVIDP), Space Gray.

What didn't work?

Combining my Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter with any USB-C to Mini DisplayPort adapter. I tried three different brands. One fired up the monitor only to go black after a few minutes. The rest were duds. Each of the adapters I tried said they were compatible with the Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter, but they didn't work in my setup. (In an Apple discussion somewhere, someone pointed out that the M1 Mini's tech specs spell out that it doesn't support Mini DisplayPorts, so that could be why.)

The caveat?

There's no scaling. So while everything looks sharp and crisp at 2560x1600, all system dialog boxes and the system font are too small. I've gotten around this (a bit) by increasing the Finder and program font sizes, but I'm still not thrilled with how small many elements are. If I find a solution, I'll report back.

I have successfully connected my new MacBook Air (M1,2020) to my ancient (but lovely) Apple Cinema HD Display 30" dual-DVI. I used a Club 3D USB-C to DVI adapter (https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B08B7FSVTL/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1).

At first it was at a crummy 1280 x 800 resolution and I would have given up, but I took the time to read through the replies on this thread. Lo and behold, someone with the handle rafb mentioned that to get additional screen resolutions, you can option-click on the "Scaled" radio button next to Resolution (while in the Cinema HD window (click the Gather Windows button in the System Preferences Display Pane to see it) and you get additional resolution choices including the glorious 2560 x 1600 option). Select that option, the screen goes dark and you think, oh, no go, but then it comes back and like, Cinerama! (if you remember that projection process). Thank you rafb (your post is later in this thread).

So I can confirm that yes, it is possible. Incidentally, the Startech USB-C to DVI adapter looks EXACTLY like the Club 3D adapter I purchased. I could be that one is that actual manufacturer and the other is a branded version. See https://www.startech.com/en-us/audio-video-products/cdp2dvidp for a comparison.

Good luck!

Thanks to everyone who added their input to this question. It helped me find the solution and I can confirm like others here that the following setup works.

• Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter cable (A1306)
• OWC 14-Port Thunderbolt 3 Dock (it's the only dock that I know of that has the mini DisplayPort)
• Apple Cinema Display (A1083) - (mine is a 2004/2005-ish 30 inch)
• ASUS ProArt 27 inch monitor
• Mac Mini M1 2020 running Big Sur latest updates

Connect OWC hub to your Mac. Connect ACD to the Mini DisplayPort cable and then plug it into the hub's mini Display port. To set the resolution to 2560x1600 you hold down the 'option key' when choosing Scaled in the Display preferences.

I connected my ASUS ProArt to the HDMI port on the mac mini with a resolution of 2560x1440.

I did this and it has just been working without needing to reset the resolution on restarts. My 2020 M1 Mac mini is just

the $699.00 standard version with no upgrade running the latest Big Sur 11.2.

The Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter cable can be bought on ebay or some stores that still have it in stock.

Hopefully this helps anyone who is still wondering which parts to buy. Thanks to everyone on here with all the input that

has been very helpful. cheers

Hi,

I write to you from a Mac mini M1 connected to the Apple Cinema Display 30 inches with the 2560x1600 res. I have the following set-up:

Connect the display to an Apple dual link adapter (https://www.apple.com/sg_smb_5200/shop/product/MB571Z/A/mini-displayport-to-dual-link-dvi-adapter) that you can buy in eBay or elsewhere.

Then connect the mini display output cable from the adapter to this mini display to usb-c adapter (https://www.amazon.es/gp/product/B076CY1KPR/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) and from here directly to the Mac usb-c port.

Finally, the output usb from the adapter directly to the usb-A port in the Mac.

Voilá. No more hassle. By the way: a perfect combination.

;)

The Apple adapter will not give you full resolution.

Apple HDMI to DVI Adapter - Apple

"Use the HDMI to DVI Adapter to connect a single-link DVI digital monitor, such as the 20-inch or 23-inch Apple Cinema Display.

Supports single-link DVI devices up to 1920-by-1200 resolution."

You can connect a 30" Apple display to one of the Mac mini's Thunderbolt/USB-C ports with USB-C to Dual-Link DVI adapter.

https://www.startech.com/en-us/audio-video-products/cdp2dvidp

You should connect the display's USB plug to the computer. It is used for brightness control. The FireWire plug is not needed. It is just for the FireWire ports on the back of the display.

If you want to use the computer's HDMI port, it gets more complicated. There are no HDMI to Dual-Link DVI adapters. There are DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI converters, such as:

https://www.startech.com/en-us/audio-video-products/dp2dvid2

that you could use with a HDMI to DisplayPort converter, such as:

http://www.foinnex.com/pd.jsp?id=309

Yes I have an acceptable working combination of a Mac Mini M1 with a 30" Apple display (A1083).

A few hiccups setting it up but now working well (and delighted with results)

I am using a Cub USB Type C to Dual Link DVI-D adapter from scan.co.uk

You need to read instruction to set up using 2560x1600 res.

Robert

Thank-you rafb!!!

This is the right answer if you've got the right cables and the display is showing the wrong resolution.

I have been working as a Mac consultant for 20 years. When I just plugged in my setup (below) to the M1 Mac mini, I only got the half size resolution showing. But option click as I clicked on scaled revealed 2560x1600 for me and has been working perfectly! 🎉

The best way to get this working is ultimately by using Thunderbolt Display Port Alternate Mode video output. That means, you need a thunderbolt 3 (USB-C port but not USB adapter) + a thunderbolt device with a mini display port on it (I'm using a thunderbolt 2 external hard drive array) + an Apple Mini Display Port to Dual Link DVI adapter.

Note: The following is complex, and confusing but I promise you I know what I'm talking about: the Thunderbolt 3 to 2 adapter DOES carry video, but only if you go to another thunderbolt device before plugging in a mini-display port adapter.

Also: USB-C has it's own display port alternate mode that has given me nothing but trouble since the 2016 MacBook Pros introduced Thunderbolt 3. Make sure you're using Thunderbolt hardware.

Cheers,

John

It would be so helpful if those commenting with information about the Thunderbolt Displays would not clutter this thread. The Cinema Display requires different solutions and you are just creating confusion for those on the older technology.

I too have been trying to find solutions for getting my ACD 30” running on my M1 mini. This is what I have learned:

1. The M1 will not support more than one monitor via the Thunderbolt bus. That can really mess up your troubleshooting so if you are running another monitor while working on getting your ACD running make sure it is on the HDMI or USB 3.0 using DisplayLink.
2. On my Intel Mac mini I was using an eGPU which had DisplayPort (Full size) outs. This adapter worked in order to use my ACD on my Intel Mac mini https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MSTOX9M/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_Hrm4Fb52ZR0WT?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
3. In order to keep using that adapter on my M1, I ordered this dual DisplayPort to USB-C https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0856R2MZ8/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_dlT4_Qvm4FbSEXY758?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1. Keep in mind that trying to connect a second monitor to the other DisplayPort receptacle will cause problems (see point number 1).
4. Using the option key as others have mentioned, you can get the proper resolution on your ACD (or use SwitchResX).
5. Other comments about having to use the physical side buttons for the brightness are confirmed in my experience.

So as of now I am up and running with my ACD 30” on my M1 Mac mini though I would rather have not spent $70 on a dual DP box that can only be half-used. I have ordered this to see if it will accomplish the same result for less money: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YDNSGY2/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_jym4FbKWBC34E?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 and will report back. I am sticking with DP in hopes that eGPU support on the M1 is forthcoming. At that point I will go back to running my monitors from the eGPU.

I still have two other monitors to connect (they don’t have hdmi) so I will be using DisplayLink via USB 3.0 to accomplish that. This is how the guy on YouTube (Ruslan) was able to get more monitors up and running. By the way, here is the chart he made. Notice how you can only have one monitor via Thunderbolt and one via HDMI. There is no workaround for that. If you want more than two monitors you must use USB 3.0 and DisplayLink.

This is my setup for my 30" display.

Apple Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link Display Adapter.

This is an old adapter I already had. It needs USB power so I plugged it into a phone charger.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/587729-REG/Apple_MB571Z_A_Mini_DisplayPort_to_Dual_Link.html

USBc Hub

https://amzn.to/3ta74wD

DisplayPort to Mini DisplayPort Adapter 

https://amzn.to/3ovg785

It works great as long as don't use the USB ports on my hub so I picked up a USBc to USB and plugged a 4 port hub into that for my USB devices.

Hi,

Hello,

I just found a solution to use my Apple Cinema Display 30'' with my MacBook Pro M1 with the resolution 2560x1600 !

I use a usb-c / DisplayPort adapter.

The resolution is blocked at 1280x800...But then I installed EasyRes (free) and now I have a 2560x1600 resolution !!!!

Philippe

I seem to finally have this working and my system is remembering resolutions and arrangements on my MacBook Air M1.

What seems to have fixed my issues was to buy SwitchResX Control and make a monitor set.

https://www.madrau.com

My Setup,

I'm using this inexpensive USBc hub

https://amzn.to/3jwWrQe

With this Mini DisplayPort Adapter 

https://amzn.to/3cVppIa

And the original Apple Dual-Link DVI adapter plugged in a phone charger to power it that I already had after my last Macbook upgrade.

https://www.macpartsdepot.com/922-9444-mini-displayport-to-dual-link-dvi-cable-for-imac.html?utm_campaign=11094191969&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=463616074519&utm_term=&adgroupid=108855693037&gclid=Cj0KCQiAgomBBhDXARIsAFNyUqPgiiHHyUYBRjf62VvXTAMTaUy-DJmKqzytGRl5Xz75Aw-V6IXIOuIaAvZiEALw_wcB

So far so good after three days and a few reboots.

I have an old ACD30" with DVI and one USB. DVI is connected to a Apple expensive dual link adapter box that outputs mini display port that's connected to a icy box adapter display port to usb c. works fine with 11.1 on mu Mac mini m1. any newer updates will only output 1280 resolution or it goes black. That's the problem I have

Thanks gays!

This is a really Big Sur trick. When I held on the "option" key and then used mouse to select "Scaled" from "Default", then 2650*1600 option showing up at the top. Picked it up and recycling the power, this resolution was kept. However, when you open the "Display" window, you cannot see it in the resolution list, and you cannot save it as the "Default". If you click "Default", the resolution backs to 1820*800.

The USB-C to DVI-D dual link adapter is from Cablecreation, the product number is CD0702. I bought it from Amazon last week, 47 Canadian Dollars

Thank you all !

Jin

I use this set up with my Mini M1 USB-C to DUAL-LINK DVI adapter from StarTech to drive my ACD 30" and the HDMI 2 port for Wacom 22". Works OK, 2560 x 1600 res on the ACD, it does have the sleep issues but they are intermittent however, still a pain in the rectum! The worst issue I have is the sparkles that the ACD 30" has alway suffered with, I rectified this issue in my previous set up by deploying an active adapter [DISPLAYPORT to DUAL-LINK DVI]. To date I haven't found an alternative active adapter that works with the M1 so I have to put up with the sparkles which is not perfect.

A side note that I have an open ticket with Apple support is, after sleep along with occasionally forgetting I have the ACD plugged in, the M1 also rearranges my display setting, changing which screen is the primary and where it is located in relation to the other screen.

Truth is the M1 is not much faster than my Pro 5.1 but the peripherals all work, better wifi better bluetooth etc . . . is it enough to stop me sending the M1 back . . . still undecided!