dwight2000
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Thunderbolt display .... will it work like a docking station?

Hello

 

I have a MacBook Pro 15" that is <6 mos old. I have it connected to a bluetooth mouse and keyboard, Bose speakers, ethernet, monitor, etc. so when I want to take it with me I have to disconnect all of these.

 

What I'm wondering is if a Thunderbolt displat will work as a docking station of sorts ...

-can I connected the Bose speakers, ethernet, etc to the Thunderbolt display and then just connect the two connections from the Thunderbolt to my MacBook Pro and have all of these work?

 

Thanks

Duane

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.2)

Posted on Dec 10, 2011 11:52 AM

by Jeff Strait,Solvedanswer
Jeff Strait Jeff Strait
Level 1 (10 points)
A:

The Thunderbolt Display does not have an audio output for external speakers.  I solved that problem with a Griffin iMic.

 

http://store.griffintechnology.com/desktop/imic

 

The iMic is a USB audio interface with both inputs and outputs.  I plugged it into one of the USB ports on my Thunderbolt Display to connect my external speakers.  Works great...

 

The iMic has other uses.  It comes with Final Vinyl software that allows you to record audio from a turntable or any other audio source.  I have used it to convert some of my old phonograph records to CD's and to MP3's.

Posted on Dec 13, 2011 7:40 PM

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dwight2000

Q: Thunderbolt display .... will it work like a docking station?

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  • by MacLifer2,Helpful

    MacLifer2 MacLifer2 Dec 11, 2011 11:20 AM in response to dwight2000
    Level 1 (20 points)
    Dec 11, 2011 11:20 AM in response to dwight2000

    I'm not sure about the Bose speakers, but everything else would connect fine. I have two Thunderbolt displays with a bunch of stuff connected to them and only the display/power cable connected to my Macbook Pro.

  • by Jeff Strait,Solvedanswer

    Jeff Strait Jeff Strait Dec 13, 2011 7:40 PM in response to dwight2000
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Dec 13, 2011 7:40 PM in response to dwight2000

    The Thunderbolt Display does not have an audio output for external speakers.  I solved that problem with a Griffin iMic.

     

    http://store.griffintechnology.com/desktop/imic

     

    The iMic is a USB audio interface with both inputs and outputs.  I plugged it into one of the USB ports on my Thunderbolt Display to connect my external speakers.  Works great...

     

    The iMic has other uses.  It comes with Final Vinyl software that allows you to record audio from a turntable or any other audio source.  I have used it to convert some of my old phonograph records to CD's and to MP3's.

  • by yogaman,

    yogaman yogaman Jan 19, 2016 11:46 AM in response to dwight2000
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 19, 2016 11:46 AM in response to dwight2000

    Thanks for this - I spent an hour trying to figure out how to do this util I found your post and as I already had an iMac gizmo - job done. Brill