Connecting a Cinema Display (MB382LL/A) to a late 2014 Mac mini

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Connecting a Cinema Display (MB382LL/A) to a late 2014 Mac mini

Everything I find on this seems to contradict. I've spoken to more than 5 non support people at Apple who have all contradicted each other and told me flat out wrong things. My Cinema display has what I think is a mini display cable, a USB port and the mag connection for my MacBook Pro. This does not appear to be the same as all of the photos and explanations I have seen elsewhere.

I would like to connect this to the late 2014 Mac Mini I purchased because an Apple rep promised me that a USB C to minidisplay adapter would work. It does not. The Mac Mini has an HDMI port, two THUNDERBOLT 2 ports, and 4 USB-3 ports.

At this point, after wasted hours and hours with supposed Apple support, I would like to know if it is even possible to make this connection. Did I purchase myself a paperweight, or is there an adapter I could use to connect my Cinema Display to my late 2014 Mac Mini? Thanks.

Posted on Mar 4, 2022 9:26 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Rudegar

Level 10

180,330 points

Mar 5, 2022 3:41 AM in response to bluelittlegirl

Apple Cinema Display LED (24-Inch) Specs (LED Cinema Display, MB382LL/A, A1267): EveryMac.com

it seems to have a mini displayport, that use the same signals as thunderbolt and thunderbolt 1 and 2 use the same connector as minidisplayport

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7f/Mini_DisplayPort_%28connector%29.PNG

the mac mini 2014 seems to have 2 thunderbolt 2 ports

Mac mini (Late 2014) - Technical Specifications (apple.com)

if it was me then I would assume connecting the male thunderbolt 2 cable from the monitor to 1 of the thunderbolt 2 female connectors

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Answer 2

Lanny

Level 6

13,225 points

Mar 5, 2022 7:22 AM in response to bluelittlegirl

You don't need a USB C to mini DisplayPort adapter. The Mini DisplayPort connector from the monitor should plug into one of the 2 Thunderbolt ports that also double as mini DisplayPort connections. The display's USB-A plug should then be connected one of the Mac mini's USB-A ports.

Rudegar's replies are correct.

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Answer 3

Lanny

Level 6

13,225 points

Mar 5, 2022 11:03 AM in response to bluelittlegirl

I don't know what Apple told you, but I have the 27" version of the Cinema Display and a 2014 Mac mini and the Mini DisplayPort plug fits in either one of the 2 Thunderbolt ports on the Mac mini.

Have you tried plugging it in? If you don't want to take our advice, why ask for it in the first place.

Not to mention, if the Apple guy told you that a USB-C connector was involved, he doesn't know what he's talking about because neither the Display or the Mac mini has a USB-C port.

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