Macbook 12inch to thunderbolt display?

Short answer: Thunderbolt displays - any generation - are not supported by the 12" MacBook. You must use an Apple computer that contains Thunderbolt hardware within it, which the 12" MacBook does not have.

Longer answer: I actually tried this in the spring of 2017 with a variety of adapters with one of the techs at a local Apple Store with just about all the (Apple-supported) adapters they had onhand that would mechanically fit the Thunderbolt 2 display. With every single adapter, we got a message on the 12" MacBook that we connected an unsupported display. Same thing happened with the newer Thunderbolt monitors produced by LG for Thunderbolt 3.

Conclusion: Even though Thunderbolt 3 connections are the same fit as USB-C (or that Thunderbolt 2 connections are the same fit as mDP) Thunderbolt displays will not work with those ports unless they are explicitly specified as Thunderbolt ports on the computer, meaning the computer contains the necessary hardware within it to make it work with Thunderbolt devices, including Thunderbolt displays.

This means that you have 3 options:

1. You can get a third-party USB-C (non-Thunderbolt - this is important) docking station and a third-party HDMI display, both together comparable to the cost of the Apple-endorsed LG Thunderbolt displays. The USB-C (non-Thunderbolt) dock and HDMI display will work with the 12" MacBook, though I haven't had a chance to test its performance.
2. You can opt for a MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, or some other Apple computer with specified Thunderbolt support, which will either work with or can be adapted to work with any of the Thunderbolt displays.
3. You can just use the 12" MacBook like an iPad Pro that runs Mac OS, which really is what Apple's designers likely had in mind when they created the 12" MacBook - a hyper-portable computer that's not really meant to be used with any computer-style connected accessories; we don't expect our iPads to dock to external displays, right?

My Macbook works great with an HDMI display. The Apple HDMI adapter for the Macbook also lets me connect USB devices such as hard disks and the power supply so "docking" involves plugging in a single USB-C cable. I don't agree that it is not meant for accessories.

At this point of time its not possible to connect a thunderbolt display to the new macbook because the thunderbolt doesn’t support the USB 3.1 and the USB type C port on the new macbook..

Hope this helps.....

However, Apple in the near future may release the adapters connecting the thunderbolt enabled display and the new macbook.

Hope this helps....

Please ignore the previous replies, they are incorrect.

The adaptor you need is available from Apple.

http://store.apple.com/us/product/MJ1K2AM/A/usb-c-digital-av-multiport-adapter

Apple also sell other adaptors for the USB-C socket on the MacBook.

SO, in this case, may I know how will you connect it....??

I think that you have failed to prove it....!!

USB-C to MiniDisplay Port.

If waiting for Apple is too arduous use this one, or any of Belkins

Try looking things up, your answer simply tells the poster that he can't use the monitor he has, and it's wrong,again.

jwalker, please ignore the other users post as he has failed to provide a solid proof of evidence....

There is also this lot of adapters plus all the ones produced by Apple.

Your suggestion is still "you can't" I assume

Perhaps you should look before you leap, once again.

At this point of time its not possible to connect a thunderbolt display to the new macbook because the thunderbolt doesn’t support the USB 3.1 and the USB type C port on the new macbook..

This is utter nonsense. Adaptors are available and have been available for a while, why do you persist in with these inaccurate postings?

ThunderBolt displays use the MDP protocol and connector for video, nothing difficult about that.

Csound1, I know that you are really feeling the heat thats the reason your typed words and the product you listed doesn’t match at all.....😁

See for yourself, you have posted am image of USB - C to display port cable and your recommended adapter is USB-C to mini display port.....😁

Another proof of lack of complete knowledge.

Do you know that USB-C don’t support thunderbolt devices....?? I will still give you some time for the research.....

Thunderbolt monitors use the MiniDisplay Port Protocol, which USB-C and USB 3.1 both support, as ever your information is incorrect.

There is NO such thing as ThunderBolt video, it's MDP running on a Thunderbolt bus.

Whether you know how it works is not relevant, it works.

Csound1 wrote:

There is also this lot of adapters plus all the ones produced by Apple.

Your suggestion is still "you can't" I assume

Perhaps you should look before you leap, once again.

I said provide some proof of evidence and not some nonsense.

The product photos which you just posted are not at all related to connecting a thunderbolt display to the new macbook. Please give up and stop struggling because you won’t find any.

Why would you tell the OP that he can not use his Apple monitor with his Apple Macbook, are you trying to confuse him deliberately?