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User profile for user: jordanth
jordanth Author
User level: Level 1
5 points

connecting an Apple Cinema Display to a Windows laptop

I have a Dell XPS (running Windows 11) with two thunderbolt ports. I am trying to connect an Apple Cinema Display to it that I have from an old MacBook. It connects just fine but I can not get anywhere near the resolution I expected from the display (2560x1600). When I check the driver settings, it seems that Windows is finding it as a Generic Monitor:






I tried finding better settings in the advanced settings pages but the higher resolution is not available:


I did have this working at one time with a similar laptop (Dell has replaced the old one with a newer one with better specs) but for the life of me, I can't remember what I did to get it working.


Here is my built-in screen resolution and options:


Thanks for any suggestions you may have!


Posted on Jan 2, 2023 7:29 AM

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User profile for user: moisesh
moisesh
User level: Level 1
8 points

Posted on Feb 14, 2023 10:57 AM

If you use a DVI-D single link adapter you won't get the full resolution. You need a DVI-D Dual Link to be able to get the native resolution of your cinema display. I am using the following with my Cinema 30" under Windows 11 through USB-C:

https://www.amazon.com/Active-Adapter-CableCreation-Resolution-Converter/dp/B085HH1LQW/ref=sr_1_3?crid=27U6MXP79SRR0&keywords=dual+link+dvi+to+usb+c&qid=1675995564&sprefix=dual+link+dvi+to+usbc%2Caps%2C120&sr=8-3

Pretty much plug and play.

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User profile for user: moisesh
moisesh
User level: Level 1
8 points

Feb 14, 2023 10:57 AM in response to jordanth

If you use a DVI-D single link adapter you won't get the full resolution. You need a DVI-D Dual Link to be able to get the native resolution of your cinema display. I am using the following with my Cinema 30" under Windows 11 through USB-C:

https://www.amazon.com/Active-Adapter-CableCreation-Resolution-Converter/dp/B085HH1LQW/ref=sr_1_3?crid=27U6MXP79SRR0&keywords=dual+link+dvi+to+usb+c&qid=1675995564&sprefix=dual+link+dvi+to+usbc%2Caps%2C120&sr=8-3

Pretty much plug and play.

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connecting an Apple Cinema Display to a Windows laptop

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