Apple Cinema Display 30’’ with M1 Apple Silicon Mac

You can connect one 30" display to one of the Thunderbolt 3/USB-C ports with a USB-C to Dual-Link DVI adapter.

https://www.club-3d.com/en/detail/2525/usb3.2_gen1_type_c_to_dual_link_dvi_d_hdcp_off_version_active_adapter_m-f_for_apple_cinema_displays/

The second has to use the computer's HDMI port. You can use a HDMI to DisplayPort converter

http://www.foinnex.com/pd.jsp?id=309#_jcp=2

followed by a DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI adapter

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

These have USB plugs for power. You can use phone chargers, so as not to waste computer USB ports.

Please see my earlier post. I have my 30” ACD working well at full resolution using dual DVI to usb-c adapter.

The dual link Apple adapter needs power from it USB plug. I have mine plugged into an iPhone charger cause I found it drew too much power from my hub.

Hi Raven34,

I can make only one 30” ACD work with mini m1 using usb-c to mini display. Can’t make tow 30” ACD work

I have no experience with the 30" Apple Cinema but can report that, since yesterday, I'm using my old 27" Apple Cinema Display LCD with my brand new Mac Mini M1 and it works flawlessly. I had to buy an adapter MiniDV-USB-C and that was it. Hopefully the 30" should work too (and my God how beautiful that screen is, still to this day! :-) ). You will obviously need a different adapter that allows you to plug it into a USB-C port...

cheers!

I can confirm that my 27" Apple LED Cinema Display (circa 2009?) is working wonderfully on my new 13" M1 MacBook Pro. This is indeed the LED display, NOT the Thunderbolt Display. I purchased the USB-C to Mini Display Port adapter from USBCele on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07VPYJV8V/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I'm getting typical resolution for the display: 2560 by 1440 pixels. There was no fiddling around. I simply connected it.

Hope this helps.

This is not a permanent fix but it does work with M1 MacBook Air / Big Sur 11.1. Display reverts to 1280x800 if system is reset or power cycled. This (unfortunately) means we must wait for the next Apple OS 11.x fix

I have two 30" Cinema Display's connected to my MacPro 2013 running 2560 x 1600 flawless! Both using the dual dvi you can find on eBay used and I found one new sealed.

I hooked up my M1 MacBook Pro using the dual dvi, connected to OWC Thunderbolt 3 Dock which has a min display support which the dvi plugs into, and the USB for power. From that to thunderbolt 3 to the M1. Use the option click to achieve 2560 x 1600. Flawless!

Has anyone connected two of these monitors to the M1 MacBook Pro? Love to know before I buy any adapters etc.

I have had a ACD since 2007, running now on a 2013 MacPro. Did a lot of researching on monitors but decided the ACD is still a great one. Picked up a second ACD and now have both running on the MacPro. Tried it on my MacBook Pro 2020 M1 with no success until I got the docking station. Works great, now will be trying to see if I can get both of them running on the M1 based MacBook. Will need another mini display port. I have seen 2-6 displays running on the M1 MacBook, MacBook Air and Mac mini so I am optimistic it will work. Will keep you up to date. Two side by side 30” ACD running 8.2 million pixels is an awesome work space.

I have not connected two yet, only one at full resolution using a OWC Thunderbolt 3 Dock with mini display port and USB. I will be trying to set up my second monitor as well. I have both on my 2013 MacPro desktop at the moment. Will keep you up to date once I am successful with 2. I believe the key is the mini display port being powered. There is a software driver where a guy has six monitors connected on youtube. If you do it first let me know please.

This is 11.2.1, can only run 1280x 800, choosing 2560 and it goes black! Disconnecting the adapter and connecting it again gives me just enough time to change it to 1280...haha this is embarrassing Apple! Tried a few 3rd part apps but no success

In System Prefs: Display

hold down the option key while clicking on the Scaled button. You should get the resolution you're looking for.

I was exactly where you are until I did that.

The second on his not a dual link adapter so you would not get 2560x1600 resolution. You need an adapter with dual link DVI.

Hi,

I tried the trial version of SwitchResX and it works great!!

So I'm going to buy it because it finally allows me to use, as before, my ACD 30''!

Thanks for your advice!

I updated to 11.2 with zero change in resolution, stayed at 2560 X 1600. The Thunderbolt with mini display from OWC seems to be the key.