akroehn

Q: Thunderbolt Display (27-inch) A1407 - can it connect to a Windows PC with an adapter of some sort?

Someone has asked me to get an adapter or some sort, to be able to plug in a Thunderbolt Display (27") model A1407 into a Windows PC (that doesn't have a Thunderbolt port - ie it has a VGA and DVI connector).

Is this possible?

TIA :-)

Andrew

Posted on Jul 3, 2016 9:54 PM

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Q: Thunderbolt Display (27-inch) A1407 - can it connect to a Windows PC with an adapter of some sort?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by ManSinha,

    ManSinha ManSinha Jul 3, 2016 10:18 PM in response to akroehn
    Level 6 (10,250 points)
    iPhone
    Jul 3, 2016 10:18 PM in response to akroehn

    You might try a mini display port to DVI connector like this

  • by akroehn,

    akroehn akroehn Jul 3, 2016 10:29 PM in response to ManSinha
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Peripherals
    Jul 3, 2016 10:29 PM in response to ManSinha

    Thanks - however this particular thunderbolt monitor has the cable hard wired into the back of the screen (the same cable also has a connector for power to the macbook)

    So it would have to be a female mini-DP to DVI, - but even then I am not convinced it would work as the monitor also has no power button - it's designed to be turned on by the macbook it is connected to.

    And it has USB, Ethernet etc at the back of the screen - all of which is supposed to be fed by the single thunderbolt plug into the macbook.

    Has anyone tried it..?

  • by tbirdvet,Helpful

    tbirdvet tbirdvet Jul 4, 2016 7:37 PM in response to akroehn
    Level 4 (3,003 points)
    Jul 4, 2016 7:37 PM in response to akroehn

    There is no adapter.  Your PC must have a TB port to use the TBD.

  • by jndupuis1,Helpful

    jndupuis1 jndupuis1 Jul 4, 2016 7:37 PM in response to akroehn
    Level 2 (470 points)
    Jul 4, 2016 7:37 PM in response to akroehn

    The long and short of it - no. Unfortunately the Thunderbolt Display connects to Thunderbolt connector on Mac. Apple does not carry (discontinued) this adapter you are seeking. The Thunderbolt Display has no external controls and depends solely on the Apple driver software for Volume, Brightness, Color, USB, Firewire, Ethernet, Thunderbolt Hubs, Camera, Microphone and Firmware. This on top of the Color Profiles and Controls being included in OS X Preferences and the Mac Keyboard. Windows installed through Boot Camp on your Mac will provide all of the drivers to use the Thunderbolt Display with Windows 7, 8 and 10.

     

    Cheers!!

  • by akroehn,

    akroehn akroehn Jul 4, 2016 7:40 PM in response to jndupuis1
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Peripherals
    Jul 4, 2016 7:40 PM in response to jndupuis1

    Thanks all - looks like it wont work then.

    I just tested by connecting to a Windows PC with a Mini Display Port (same connector as Thunderbolt) - and while it physically plugs in OK there is no way to turn the monitor on, so it doesn't power up. I guess it is waiting for the right signal from the thunderbolt port, which will never come as the mini DP isn't exactly the same, and Windows doesn't send monitor power on signals...

  • by Malcolm J. Rayfield,

    Malcolm J. Rayfield Malcolm J. Rayfield Jul 4, 2016 11:44 PM in response to akroehn
    Level 5 (7,928 points)
    Jul 4, 2016 11:44 PM in response to akroehn

    It is not possible.  No adapters, cables, or converters will help if the computer has no Thunderbolt port.