I have a brand-new 14" MacBook Pro M2 Pro (2023) and an older Thunderbolt external monitor. Can I power the Mac through the Thunderbolt cable (like my old MacBook Pro) or do I need to now use 2 cables (Thunderbolt and MagSafe 3)?
MacBook Pro (M2 Pro, 2023)
Yes, the Mac will accept power via its USB-C ports. You don’t have to use MagSafe. A single cable can run the display and provide power.
Yes, the Mac will accept power via its USB-C ports. You don’t have to use MagSafe. A single cable can run the display and provide power.
You can connect the display with a Thunderbolt adapter
Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter - Apple
but it won't provide power to the Mac. There are adapters that convert from the display's MagSafe connector to USB-C, but that will use a second USB-C port on the Mac.
The display is TB3 (so no adapter needed). It provided power to my previous MacBook Pro and received the monitor data with a single cable (TB3/USB-C). When I initialized the new MBP (yesterday) I simply used the MagSafe 3 for power, but now I am ready to connect the monitor for the first time.
Summary: I know the TB3 cord from the external monitor can provide power; the question is whether the new (M2 Pro, 2023) MBP can accept power that way.
Thanks!
New MacBook with older Thunderbolt external display
