I would like to purchase a new Thunderbolt Display and use it to switch between a Macbook pro and a PC with a Display Port output. I'm thinking a KVM switch like this (http://www.kanexlive.com/snapx). Has anyone used a setup like this before and had it work? I'd imagine it would work with the non-Thunderbolt monitor, but I'm not sure about if it would work with the Thunderbolt monitor.
It will not.
Allan
So, I need to resend my TBD then ...
Apparently, I did not realize timely how hw-restricted Apple is. I have to work with the laptop the company I work for provides me (exclusively Windows based) but have, for my personal use, a new MBPR on order. I often work at home so I was assuming the TBD would work with both. The TBD was delivered yesterday ahead of the MBPR, which is why I found it out ahead of the delivery of the MBPR.
If not possible (or not in the foreseable future), I'll just cancel the order and look for a decent screen that actualy does support this...
Apple still sells a Mini DisplayPort version of the display. It's the same price as the Thunderbolt display, you you may be able to swap.
<http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC007LL/A/apple-led-cinema-display-27-flat-pan el>
You could use it with a Mini DisplayPort switch.
Could I use the Diplayport exit on my laptop's docking-station, use this cable to convert to mini-displayport and use the mini-displayport input on the TBdisplay ?
This way, I can keep the functional advantages of the MBPR via the Thunderbolt-interface and have the laptop's display working via the display-port input. Probably, I'll have to manully tell the screen which input to use, but I can live with that. Obviously, I'll also have to keep a seperate keyboard/mouse for each machine, although inconvenient, it's doable (for now)...
The port on the back of the display is Thunderbolt, not Mini DisplayPort. The Thunderbolt display will not work with a computer that does not have Thunderbolt. There are no adapters or converters that will help.
OK,
Thanks, although not the answer I was hoping for...
I just asked Apple to return the TB display and replace it with the 27" LED one, order updated and replacemùent arranged ... Now to seek what cables I need to get everything working. Judging from what I can find on the Apple-site, the LED-display only has 2 cables coming out (1 power, and with combined MagSafe, USB and mini-Displayport.
So in order to get everything to work, I will need to order in addition a KANEX Snap-X switch and a KANEX C247Dl converter (mini-Display <-> DVI) and a MagSafe -> MagSafe 2 adapter. Graphic representation here below:
This is proving to be one very expensive and elaborate excercise ...
PC and Thunderbolt
