Dieter Nuyens

Q: How to connect Apple Thunderbolt Display to new Retina MacBook?

Hi,

I ordered this new MacBook but I don't know how to connect it to an external Apple Display.
The displays I have are the Apple Thunderbolt Display and Cinema Displays using Thunderbolt or Display Port connectors.
I hope someone develops a cable for this or that Apple comes out with a new Display soon. Any ideas?

It's really a pity that Apple didn't think this through because an external display with it's supplemental built-in USB hub solves many problems for me.

Where are the days of the MacBook Duo Dock, the best solution in desktop computing ever...

Tnx,

Dieter

Posted on Apr 10, 2015 2:25 PM

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Q: How to connect Apple Thunderbolt Display to new Retina MacBook?

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  • by Mike Sombrio,

    Mike Sombrio Mike Sombrio Apr 13, 2015 10:18 AM in response to Allan Eckert
    Level 6 (17,233 points)
    Apple Watch
    Apr 13, 2015 10:18 AM in response to Allan Eckert

    I still want a gold one though!

  • by jlstaz,

    jlstaz jlstaz Apr 13, 2015 11:43 AM in response to Mike Sombrio
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 13, 2015 11:43 AM in response to Mike Sombrio

    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.

  • by michaelfromsandpoint,

    michaelfromsandpoint michaelfromsandpoint Apr 13, 2015 11:55 AM in response to jlstaz
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 13, 2015 11:55 AM in response to jlstaz

    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/

  • by Michael Paine,

    Michael Paine Michael Paine Apr 13, 2015 3:06 PM in response to GWinksalot09
    Level 2 (348 points)
    Apr 13, 2015 3:06 PM in response to GWinksalot09

    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.

  • by Jaredtimmins,

    Jaredtimmins Jaredtimmins Oct 19, 2015 10:00 AM in response to Michael Paine
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Oct 19, 2015 10:00 AM in response to Michael Paine

    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

  • by funsky,

    funsky funsky Nov 3, 2015 3:33 AM in response to Allan Eckert
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 3, 2015 3:33 AM in response to Allan Eckert

    References to support this statement would be helpful.

  • by funsky,

    funsky funsky Nov 3, 2015 3:35 AM in response to jlstaz
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 3, 2015 3:35 AM in response to jlstaz

    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.

  • by Matt Domenici,

    Matt Domenici Matt Domenici Mar 26, 2016 4:15 PM in response to funsky
    Level 1 (119 points)
    Mar 26, 2016 4:15 PM in response to funsky

    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.

  • by Lanny,

    Lanny Lanny Mar 27, 2016 7:55 AM in response to Matt Domenici
    Level 5 (7,935 points)
    Desktops
    Mar 27, 2016 7:55 AM in response to Matt Domenici
    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.

  • by Bench Monkey,

    Bench Monkey Bench Monkey May 4, 2016 11:22 AM in response to Lanny
    Level 1 (12 points)
    May 4, 2016 11:22 AM in response to Lanny

    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. 

  • by Lanny,

    Lanny Lanny May 4, 2016 11:38 AM in response to Bench Monkey
    Level 5 (7,935 points)
    Desktops
    May 4, 2016 11:38 AM in response to Bench Monkey
    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.

  • by Allan Eckert,

    Allan Eckert Allan Eckert May 4, 2016 11:51 AM in response to Bench Monkey
    Level 9 (53,576 points)
    Desktops
    May 4, 2016 11:51 AM in response to Bench Monkey

    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.

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