How to connect Apple Thunderbolt Display to new Retina MacBook?

Oh, that makes sense that it's just meant to be entry level. That's a huge bummer though, and the price thing is ridiculous and doesn't make any sense! But thanks for clearing that up for me.

This article demonstrates there is plenty of power in the new macbook to drive large displays, currently thru the HDMI adaptor. So I am still hoping there is an adaptor for mini display port coming from someone.

http://9to5mac.com/2015/04/12/os-x-10-10-3-brings-enhanced-4k-support-including- 12-inch-macbook-adds-5k-dell-for-mac-proimac/

The Apple HDMI adapter allows charging through USB-C and running an HDMI display:

http://store.apple.com/us/product/MJ1K2AM/A/usb-c-digital-av-multiport-adapter?f node=51

It also has a standard USB port and so, apparently, can charge your iPhone or read an external HD at the same time. So the Macbook is set up to run external displays - just not Thunderbolt.

While it will not support thunderbolt it can support mini display port and with the right doc can power a cinema display see below...

=https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/kickshark/hydradock-11-port-usb-c-dock-for -apple-macbook/description

References to support this statement would be helpful.

Totally agree with you on that sentiment. It's amazing and disappointing that the two most attractive hardware for the standard user is not compatible. I thoroughly enjoy the crisp wide screen of the 27" thunderbolt display and the light portability of my Macbook Air 11", and the MacBook 12" (externally the same size as the 11") would have been a perfect upgrade.

It would seem something like this would do the trick: https://www.kanex.com/tblt3-cables-40g#

I sent a note to clarify with the manufacturer, as on the surface it looks promising. What I do not know is if there's something in the software stack that would specifically prohibit it.

What I do not know is if there's something in the software stack that would specifically prohibit it.

It's not a software limitation, it's a hardware limitation. The implementation of USB-C in the 12" MacBook Early 2015 limits it to a 5 Gbps.

Thunderbolt (Original) = 10 Gbps

Thunderbolt 2 = 20 Gbps

Thunderbolt 3 = 40 Gbps

No adaptor or cable is going to be able to make the current 12" MacBook Thunderbolt compliant.

Think of the 12" MacBook as an entry level, very portable laptop that can be used for your business presentations with a video projector when needed. For anymore serious needs, use a MacBook Air or MackBook Pro accordingly.

These forums are full of MacBook owners disappointed to find out that their MacBook's aren't as powerful as the other Apple laptops, even though the specifications for all are given on the Apple web site.

That being said, I am the very satisfied owner of a 12" Retina Macbook. However, I have no unrealistic expectations of trying to use it as a desktop replacement, a gaming station, or something to run 2-3 external monitors.

How about users who need a big screen because of failing eyesight? I'd like to sell my mother in law a 27" Thunderbolt Display to go with the 12" mbr she just bought, but it looks like the options are nil.

This is ridiculous.

Why doesn't Apple just come out with a firmware update for the Thunderbolt Display that recognizes a mini displayport signal from a MacBook and passes it through? There's more than enough processing power in the logic board of the display to do it.

Why doesn't Apple just come out with a firmware update for the Thunderbolt Display that recognizes a mini displayport signal from a MacBook and passes it through? There's more than enough processing power in the logic board of the display to do it.

It wouldn't be possible. Not to mention having to explain why the Thunderbolt ports on the back of the Thunderbolt display would not even come close to meeting the any version of the Thunderbolt specifications.

The Thunderbolt Display only works with Macs that have a Thunderbolt port. This has been known since the day it was introduced.

Bench Monkey wrote:

How about users who need a big screen because of failing eyesight? I'd like to sell my mother in law a 27" Thunderbolt Display to go with the 12" mbr she just bought, but it looks like the options are nil.

This is ridiculous.

Why doesn't Apple just come out with a firmware update for the Thunderbolt Display that recognizes a mini displayport signal from a MacBook and passes it through? There's more than enough processing power in the logic board of the display to do it.

You may think this ridiculous. But if you would have read the least little bit about the specifications for ThunderBolt before going off on your rant, you would have realized the impossibility of your suggestion. The specification for ThunderBolt bus structure just does not allow that.

Dear All

After spending 10hours at web, finally I got the USB-C to Mini Display port by amount of USD29.00

Please check the below link and enjoy,

Cheers

Amir

http://www.allsmartlife.com/usb-31-type-c-to-mini-displayport-adapter-aluminium- case-1ft-cable-grey/

Wont connect via Thunderbolt but can connect to other monitors via HDMI adapter. So, it is okay for external monitor.

"Dual display and video mirroring: simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display and up to 3840 by 2160 pixels at 30Hz on an external display, both at millions of colors"

Those types of adapters won't work with an Apple Thunderbolt Display (The whole point of this post). They will work with displays that have DisplayPort inputs though.

Note: It's hard to imagine why it took you 10 hours to find something that can be Googled in seconds.

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=usbc+to+displayport+adapter