Connect 24" Apple LED Display to M3 Macbook Pro

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Connect 24" Apple LED Display to M3 Macbook Pro

I'm helping a friend who is upgrading from a 2016 Macbook Pro to a M3 Macbook Pro.

Content has been transferred.

The friend wishes to retain the 24" Apple LED Display which has a Mini Display Port Connection (actually 3 leads out of the display).

So, I bought a Startech USB-C to MiniDisplay port adaptor but it doesn't work i.e., no picture shows on the external display.

I'd value advice on where I'm going wrong and what I can do to get the external display working with the new Macbook Pro.

Thanks

MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 15.0

Posted on Oct 16, 2024 12:36 PM

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Answer 1

Oct 26, 2024 9:26 PM in response to norpsych

The three connections coming out of the 24" LED Cinema Display are:

Mini DisplayPort. You need to connect this to get a video signal. The monitor has 1920x1200 pixel resolution – which is no problem for a M3 MacBook Pro, and should be no problem for an adapter.
USB 2.0 – You need to connect this to use the monitor's USB 2.0 hub ports and Webcam. If I am not mistaken, this monitor may lack hardware menu controls, so you might also need to connect the USB uplink to control the monitor's brightness (using your Mac).
MagSafe – This is meant to provide power to a Mac notebook, but uses an old style of MagSafe. You can leave this one unused.

This probably isn't it – but you might try making both a Mini DisplayPort connection and a USB one, just in case the monitor turns on or off partially in response to seeing USB input.

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Answer 2

Oct 26, 2024 9:15 PM in response to norpsych

Are you certain that the adapter that you bought is a USB-C (male) to Mini DisplayPort (female) adapter?

Normally, I would not ask this question – but StarTech does make a Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter . This is the only such adapter I know about, other than the Apple one. As with Apple's adapter, the Thunderbolt 2 port has a Mini DisplayPort connector, but does not know how to pretend to be a plain Mini DisplayPort. So this StarTech adapter would be the wrong one to use with a 24" LED Cinema Display.

StarTech also makes various USB-C to Mini DisplayPort and USB-C DisplayPort adapters that should work fine … and you probably have one of those. I just think it would be a good idea to rule out this corner case, if we can.

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