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nwipfli Author

Level 1

4 points

Apple display and Thunderbolt compatibility

Hi,

Looking at the Intel spec for the Thunderbolt technology ( http://www.intel.com/technology/io/thunderbolt/index.htm), it is my understanding that they use a chip as controller to merge the internal PCIe and DisplayPort signals to two bi-directional 10GB/s channels to the target device which can be a display or drive or both. Therefore, if the target device is a drive, it needs to be Thunderbolt compatible, which means that it needs to include this same Intel controller. Now, if the target device is an Apple display, do they already have this controller ?
Based on what I understand from the Intel spec, the display has to be Thunderbolt compatible:

---start---

And Thunderbolt enabled products are compatible with existing DisplayPort devices so you don’t have to go buy a new display to take advantage of a Thunderbolt technology enabled computer
---end---

So, are the existing Apple displays already Thunderbold compatible or do we have to wait or buy an adapter ?
I do not understand how Apple displays already sold x months back can work while connected to this Thunderbolt port on the laptop, if this port uses this special controller which also needs to be on the target device.

I have not found any information for Thunderbold on the Apple spec page for their display and I have not found any Thunderbolt adapter for native Apple displays.

Any idea ?

Thanks

iMac 20"

Posted on Feb 26, 2011 12:11 PM

Top-ranking reply

DanRyb

Level 1

12 points

Posted on Feb 26, 2011 12:58 PM

I have a 24" LED Cinema Display with MiniDisplay port connection and it works on my new 2011 15" MBP with Thunderbolt port (using it right now!).

View in context

101 replies

Sep 15, 2011 3:09 AM in response to Rhyot

Mini server still with no flickers or black outs. Have used only for a few hours but seems all right.

Sep 15, 2011 3:09 AM in response to Rhyot

Mini server still with no flickers or black outs. Have used only for a few hours but seems all right.

Rhyot

Level 1

4 points

Sep 16, 2011 6:34 AM in response to nwipfli

After I replaced my mini the flicker was still there like I said before so I decided to try it with others monitors or HDTVs and finally i think to know what the problem is in my case it's and HDMI handshake problem like report from many users in those discussions :

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2600405?answerId=12365481022#12365481022

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3080713?answerId=15530115022#15530115022

there is nothing I can do untill apple release a software upgrade and it's funny cause the flicker it's like an improvement of the problem since, for example on the Philips 32pfl5404, I wasn't able to see anything. the screen comes and goes every second.

Now I really don't know if to keep it or ask my money back.Nobody knows when and if this will be fixed.

Rhyot

Level 1

4 points

Sep 17, 2011 9:30 AM in response to nwipfli

there is a new update.Let's hope.

Sep 17, 2011 9:58 AM in response to Rhyot

I updated the new Mini EFI as well as the Thunderbolt update and still getting the flickering at the same frequency....so frustrating!

Rhyot

Level 1

4 points

Sep 18, 2011 8:16 AM in response to nwipfli

New update old flicker. Already 2 times in 7 mins... I'm getting really disappointed from Apple...I could have got a pc if I knew I was going through all of this.

Sep 28, 2011 9:57 PM in response to nwipfli

Apple Quietly Releases Fix for Flickering on 24-Inch LED Cinema Display over Thunderbolt

Wednesday September 28, 2011 9:14 pm PDT by Eric Slivka

Ever since Apple released its first Thunderbolt-equipped machines earlier this year, reports have been surfacing from a number of users complaining about flickering issues on company's 24-inch LED Apple Cinema Display when used with the new Thunderbolt-equipped machines.

Apple has apparently quietly released a firmware fix for the issue, although the update has not been publicly announced and its existence appears to have only been revealed to a small number of customers who have escalated their issues through Apple's support systems.

A link (.dmg download) to the firmware update was posted to Apple's discussion forums earlier today, and a number of users who have applied the update have reported at least initial success with addressing the flickering issues. Users report having to reboot their systems and power cycle their displays in order for the displays to function properly after applying the update.

From the description included in the download file:

The 24-inch LED Cinema Display Firmware Update addresses an issue that may cause intermittent display flickering. This firmware will only install on the Apple 24-inch LED Cinema Display when it is connected to a Thunderbolt-enabled Mac.

IMPORTANT:

This firmware update may not resolve the flickering issue if a Mini DisplayPort extender cable is used.

NOTE:

Some USB and FireWire devices may prevent firmware updates from installing correctly; disconnect non-essential devices and use only an Apple keyboard and mouse to apply the update.

Full instructions for installing the firmware update are also included in the documentation.

It is unclear why Apple has yet to publicly issue the firmware update for all 24-inch Apple Cinema Display users, and thus users should exercise caution in deciding whether to apply the update and prefer to check with Apple support regarding their specific issues.

Apple introduced the 24-inch LED Cinema Display in October 2008 and officially discontinued the model in July 2010 when Apple consolidated its display offerings with the 27-inch LED Cinema Display as its sole offering. Apple did, however, continue to sell off its remaining stock of 24-inch displays for a number of weeks after the official discontinuation.

Nov 4, 2011 3:11 PM in response to nwipfli

So how do we get the greedy ******** to do something about it? The computer industry seem to set themselves apart form others in this respect: if you bought a car, a washing machine, a whatever, that didn't work as it's supposed to there's no way you'd accept the prevarication and lying that comes from Apple (don't) Care.

Just to set the scene: I've owned AppleMacs since the very early days (my first was a Quadra) and I have recently undergone a family Apple re-fit purchasing a MacMini, MB Pro 13', MB Pro 15" and a MB Air 11" (not all for me, silly!); as an academic/teacher I have also been responsible for specifying Mac Labs at two schools. In sum, Apple has mad a fortune out of me.
I now have a problem: my MacMini Thunderbolt/Lion is not compatible with the Apple cinema display I bought just over a year ago. The screen splits, bounces around, blacks out and crashes. I have followed every avenue suggested by Apple Care, back to my Apple Store and following hours (literally) on the phone and three firmware upgrades the problem persists (has possibly got worse).
Apple can't/won't resolve this for me.
I borrowed a Thunderbolt display from my friend for a week and there was not a problem: therein lies the solution.
Apple offered me a £54 voucher against a new Thunderbolt display.
Thanks Apple!!
How many billions profit did you make last year??
So I have a desktop system that doesn't work.
Apple can't/won't resolve this for me.
We know the solution (a new screen) as nothing else has worked, but I don't see why I should have to fork out for a new screen when I had been assured the new MacMini would work with the cinema display I had already paid good money for (barely a year old, remember).
Apple can't/won't resolve this for me.
What can one do?
Where can one go?
Thanks Apple!

Nov 4, 2011 3:21 PM in response to nwipfli

And another thing...

Explaining this to Apple today, they make out as though they've never heard of this problem: clearly, reading this forum they must have.

'Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely'.

Right, f**k 'em - I'm selling all my Apple stuff to buy a tent and I'm joining the anti-capitalist movement outside St. Paul's Cathedral.

Any one joining me?

NicoNB

Level 1

0 points

Nov 4, 2011 3:24 PM in response to matthewfromuntereraegeri

@Matthew

And no one told you about this article?

LED Cineman Display (24 inch, late 2008): Intermittens flicker while connected to a Thunderbolt port.

I do agree with you about the really bad support Apple is giving. I am seriuously considering other options in the near future after using apple the past 12 years.

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS4045?viewlocale=en_US

Dec 22, 2012 4:26 AM in response to nwipfli

i just bought an external Hard Disk 1TB with Thunderbolt & USB3.0 cable, but my MacBookPro dont recognize Hard Disk while thunderbolt is connected, but recognise USB3.0, can anyone help out, please

But Thunderbolt works on my other Mac !

Apple display and Thunderbolt compatibility