I have a 27" Apple Cinema Display (the model before Thunderbolt). I was thinking of getting a PC with an NVIDIA GTX 970 card with a displayport output. The monitor has a Mini DisplayPort cable that is attached that normally, when plugged into a MacBook Pro, will also give access to the USB ports in the back of the monitor.
My question: If I plug this cable into the PC graphics card, will I still get access to those USB ports? I'll be running Windows 8.1.
If you plug the display's USB plug into a USB port on the computer.
TThe display only has a power cord and Mini DisplayPort cord.
<https://support.apple.com/kb/SP597>
"One cable with three connectors: Mini DisplayPort with audio support, universal MagSafe (up to 85W), USB 2.0"
If there's no USB plug, you may have the Thunderbolt version. A Thunderbolt plug looks the same as Mini DisplayPort, but won't work with a non-Thunderbolt computer.
Look at the back of the display. The Thunderbolt version will have more than just USB ports. It will have FireWire, Ethernet, and a Thunderbolt port on the back.
Ah so it must be the Thunderbolt version. So there is no adapter I could use or anything?
If the computer does not have Thunderbolt, you can't use a Thunderbolt display. There are no adapters, cables, or converters that will help.
Cinema Display PC = Usable USB?
