How to connect 27" Thunderbolt display to PC desktop (DVI/VGA/HDMI) and MacBook Pro (2011)

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Level 1

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How to connect 27" Thunderbolt display to PC desktop (DVI/VGA/HDMI) and MacBook Pro (2011)

I'd like to use the display with my PC desktop. I would also like to occassionally connect my MacBook Pro (2011) to the monitor. Any ideas? Ideally, I don't want to be disconnecting wires, but it would be okay if it's an accessible wire (i.e., I don't have to go to the back of the PC and disconnect everytime).

The PC has VGA or DVI inputs. HDMI would work too. The PC does not have Thunderbolt (no surprise there). MacBookPro has Thunderbolt.

Posted on Aug 12, 2011 6:25 PM

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Answer 1

X423424X

Level 6

14,265 points

Aug 12, 2011 6:53 PM in response to mtaveira

Perhaps you could make use of a mini-displayport 2x1 switch. Not sure though.

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Answer 2

Aug 19, 2011 10:59 AM in response to mtaveira

I have the same question. I have a brand new MBP with Thunderbolt. Work just bout me a 27' Thunderbolt display. Great so far. I also have a high-end Dell laptop. I want to connect the DVI out on the Dell base station to my Thunderbolt display. I have a mini-display port to DVI adapted. Pluged that into my MBP Thunderbolt display and got the second monitor up on from my MBP. Now when the new Thunderbolt monitor gets here, I am really hoping that I will be able to reverse the flow and connect from the DVI out of my Dell base station, to the DVI-mini-diplayport and into the back Thunderbolt port and then display the image on the Thunderbolt display.

Can anyone confirm??

Best,

Kevin

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Answer 3

Sep 13, 2011 1:41 PM in response to hoffmanFamily4

Also interested in an answer to this. Got a MacBook AIr and a PC (DVI), and would like them both connected to a 27" Thunderbolt display.

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Answer 4

Sep 28, 2011 12:10 PM in response to marcushirt

Also interested in this answer, because this would mean that the monitor (screen and audio only) should be able to connect to a MiniDisplay Port MacBook Pro from 2008-2010 via

Thunderbolt Screen - MiniDisplay Port to HDMI/DVI - HDMI/DVI cable - MiniDisplayport to HDMI/DVI - MacBook Pro with MiniDisplay Port.

Anybody?

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Answer 5

bobbyco57

Level 4

1,768 points

Oct 2, 2011 8:38 PM in response to TH_Architecture

No love, the system requirements for the TB display clearly require a TB equipped Mac.

System Requirements

Thunderbolt-enabled Mac computer, including MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Mac mini, and iMac

OS X v10.6.8 or later

Also, Apple still has the 27" Cinema Display in the product line up and at the same price.

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Answer 6

jrt600

Level 1

1 points

Oct 30, 2012 3:45 PM in response to mtaveira

There are a whole bunch of Thumderbolt-HDMI adapters out there. Here's one of them that actually connects to both thunderbolt and MDP: https://www.google.com/shopping/product/1493876007597784992?q=thunderbolt%20to%2 0HDMI&hl=en&prmd=imvns&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.&fp=2d96ede210ccce61&bpcl =36601534&biw=1600&bih=775&tch=1&ech=1&psi=0leQUOHqG6O-yQHCxICIBw.1351636946324. 3&sa=X&ei=5VeQUL-vCIb9ygHQt4HgBA&ved=0CGEQ8wIwAA

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