How do I connect a new Thunderbolt MBP to and old 23" HD Cinema Display ADC port

It's not a straightforward answer. It's bloody complicated. But do not despair.

The 23 inch Apple display in the wide Lucite silver-white frame has an ADC connector that accepts 28 Volt power at up to 4 Amps from the ADC connector. If you are disconnecting from your ADC computer, you will need a Power Supply. The Apple DVI to ADC converter is such a supply. (It has an AC power cord.) It is readily available on the used market. Once installed, you have a DVI display with a power brick in the cable.

Thunderbolt connector is display-compatible to Mini DisplayPort. You can force every Mini DisplayPort (including Thunderbolt) into "Single-Link DVI compatibility mode" by using the correct adapter. Buy a Mini DisplayPort to Single-Link DVI adapter from the Apple Store. If there is any trouble, take your all-Apple equipment to the store and ask them to fix it.

For the 23 inch display, you do not need the much more expensive Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI converter, because the display you are using is not over 1920 wide, and can therefore use Single-Link DVI. IF you were hooking this up to a Mac Pro (tower), and wanted to use it on a card with more than one Mini DisplayPort, the rules are MUCH more complicated.

Mini DisplayPort cables have a LOT of contacts. You need to push surprisingly hard to seat the Mini DisplayPort cable in the jack. Keep pushing until essentially ALL of the metal part at the end of the cable plug disappears inside the jack.

Got my new MBP 2011 today. Hooked it up to my 23" Apple Cinema Display fine, using the Apple DVI to ADC converter > Mini Display port adaptors. I could then mirror display, but only at 1440 x 900 resolution.

My dream is to have it like my old laptop--I mostly leave it shut, and main display is on the Cinema Display. So far, if I close the laptop lid on my new MBP, display shuts off. Also, can't get it to bump up the resolution to 1920.

Sigh.

Yes, when you mirror displays, you must use the "lowest common denominator" and the native resolution of the MacBook 13" display is 1440 by 900 (native),

My son placed his external display on a four inch block of wood and opened his laptop underneath it. He selected "Extended Desktop" (drag the superimposed display Icons apart in Preferences) and uses the upper display as an extension of the lower display.

Alternatively, you can use it in "Closed clamshell" mode by following the procedures in this article:

Apple Portables: How to use your computer in closed clamshell (display closed) mode with an external display

The problem, though, is when I'm in Clamshell mode and wake the computer from sleep all the cinema display shows is a blue screen, and nothing happens. I have to force shut down to get the computer to respond at all.

That may also be a side effect of mirroring the displays rather than extended desktop. When mirrored in closed clamshell mode, the internal display will be off, so its mirror will be a bluescreen.

There is also this note in the article:

Note: If your external display is not recognized when it is connected and the computer is powered on, try connecting the display while the computer is asleep or while the computer is off; wake or power on the computer after you connect the display.

Nope--wasn't mirrored. Was in extended display.

The only thing I haven't tried yet is powering on in extended display mode, which I will do shortly.

But all this worked with the non-Thunderbolt MBP, so that's what's suspect for me.

I have this setup running by way of mdp-to-dvi to dvi-to-adc

The dvi-to-adc costs $99 just so you know

Hello Sigh

I am sure there is no way to get your ADC connector display to function with your new Mac Book Pro.

I tried everying I could and gave up and purchased a 24" Apple refurbbished Cinema Display for $599 + tax on 4/27/2011. The Apple part number is FBXXXXL/A, Model A1287.

Gave my year 2002 ADC 22" display to a friend.

d

Sent- Tuesday, August 9, 2011-- 3:49 PM(Pacific Time)

Don Macdonald

< Edited by Host >

Got my new MBP 2011 today. Hooked it up to my 23" Apple Cinema Display fine, using the Apple DVI to ADC converter > Mini Display port adaptors. I could then mirror display, but only at 1440 x 900 resolution.

My dream is to have it like my old laptop--I mostly leave it shut, and main display is on the Cinema Display. So far, if I close the laptop lid on my new MBP, display shuts off. Also, can't get it to bump up the resolution to 1920.

Sigh.