MacBook Pro M4 with thunderbolt 5 and portable monitor

Question

MacBook Pro M4 with thunderbolt 5 and portable monitor

I just bought the new M4 pro with thunderbolt 5, but looks like it doesn't work with any portable monitors. I tried 3 of them using only one cable for both power and signal #portable. It only works if you power up the monitor then the power pass through it and then it can charge the laptop too.

Anyone experienced the same issue or if you have a similar setup can you check to see if is not just me? I also went to the Apple Store to check with a range of M* macs and looks like the only one with this issue is the M4pro w/ tb 5 (tested using both thunderbolt 4&5 cables)

I called the support but they just pass me around for 1h until they hang up eventually without saying goodbye :).

Just want to know if this is software fixable or a hardware issue as I do use this nomad setup quite often.

Thanks.

MacBook Pro 14″

Posted on Nov 14, 2024 7:35 AM

Reply

Answer 1

a brody

Level 10

84,011 points

Nov 16, 2024 5:35 AM in response to dragos-florin

For sake of argument, have you taken your Mac to a Best Buy to see if any other monitors work better?

It could be there is a needed firmware update, or something has worn.

For sake of argument, have you made a copy of an older operating system to see if indeed it is the OS update which is incompatible as you claim?

You can use internet recovery to install an older OS on a separate partition of your Mac, the OS that shipped with the Mac.

Reply

Answer 2

a brody

Level 10

84,011 points

Nov 15, 2024 7:18 PM in response to dragos-florin

Thunderbolt cables and USB-C cables should not be confused. They may look alike, but thunderbolt has more bandwidth and support for video than straight USB-C.

Reply

Answer 3

Nov 16, 2024 1:03 AM in response to a brody

I used the right cables Brody, I own both original's apple Thunderbolt 5 and 4 cable. I know the USB-c vs thunderbolt difference.

Reply