Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

27 inch Thunderbolt 2 Display with Macbook Pro 2020?

Mightyfinenick

Mightyfinenick

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Dec 17, 2020
8
1
Sydney, Aus soon to be TN ?
I'm trying to use a 27" Thunderbolt 2 display with my Macbook Pro 2020 running Catalina. I have the Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter. Getting nothing. Nada. Not even a sign that the display is plugged in.

The display is definitely getting power as the USB ports on the back are charging my phone. It also works fine with my Mackbook Pro 2015, which requires no adapter.

So it's either

- bung TB3 to TB2 adapter.
- something else.

I've reset NVRAM and SMC.

Anything else this could be before I take a trip to the Simply Mac store?
 
Let us know the model and spec of your iMac please.

Also, what OS are you using on your iMac?
 
Mightyfinenick said:
Macbook Pro 2020
Click to expand...
This is a M1 Mac? It appears that Apple has remove the the ability for the M1 Macs to connect to a Target Display for the Thunderbolt model iMacs.

It *should* work with the Mini Display Port model iMacs that are capable of Target Display Mode, with an appropriate USB-C to MDP adapter cable.
 
I use a Thunderbolt Display with my 2019 MacBook Pro (16") and Catalina with no problems. It worked plug-and-play.

One thing to check is if data is coming out the USB ports (since the monitor is powered from the outlet, power coming out of the ports may not be indicative of a connection). That would tell you if the display is talking to the computer.

I assume you've tried plugging into all the ports of your MacBook? My previous MacBook had a problem with one of the USB-C ports that it only worked when the cable was inserted one way (e.g. flip it 180 degrees and it didn't work). Just a shot in the dark...
 
  • Like
Reactions: Tagbert and Mightyfinenick
vertical smile said:
This is a M1 Mac? It appears that Apple has remove the the ability for the M1 Macs to connect to a Target Display for the Thunderbolt model iMacs.

It *should* work with the Mini Display Port model iMacs that are capable of Target Display Mode, with an appropriate USB-C to MDP adapter cable.
Click to expand...
The Apple Thunderbolt Display is a standalone display, not an iMac running in Target Display Mode.
 
chrfr said:
Apple Thunderbolt Display
Click to expand...
I thought I remember seeing somewhere that the Thunderbolt Displays or maybe the Cinema displays are no longer compatible with the M1 Macs.

I don't own a Thunderbolt Display, so I cannot test it.

I think it might be worth asking if there is anyone with a M1 Mac that has successfully connected their Thunderbolt Display.
 
Hi all - thanks for the replies. It's a 2020 Macbook Pro running Catalina.
1608393492469.png



It may be a bung adapter, I'm heading to a Simply Mac store today to test it out.

@poorcody thanks for that advice, not sure how to check if the ports are sending data?

Anyway, off to the store I go to see what's up.
 
Well, you are using an Intel Mac, so it should work.

The first post wasn't clear about it.

Do you have another TB1/2 device that you can check to see if the adapter is bad? Do you still have your 2015 MBP? You can just connect it in Target Disk Mode to your 2020 MBP, just to see if the adapter works.
 
vertical smile said:
I thought I remember seeing somewhere that the Thunderbolt Displays or maybe the Cinema displays are no longer compatible with the M1 Macs.

I don't own a Thunderbolt Display, so I cannot test it.

I think it might be worth asking if there is anyone with a M1 Mac that has successfully connected their Thunderbolt Display.
Click to expand...

Both work fine with the right adaptors, for the Thunderbolt one you simply need an Apple Thunderbolt 3 to 2 adapter while for the Mini DisplayPort one it's a bit more complicated as most of the adaptors out there don't work, but i have both on my desk and have successfully connected my M1 mini to them, one at a time that is.
 
Mightyfinenick said:
I'm trying to use a 27" Thunderbolt 2 display with my Macbook Pro 2020 running Catalina. I have the Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter. Getting nothing. Nada. Not even a sign that the display is plugged in.

The display is definitely getting power as the USB ports on the back are charging my phone. It also works fine with my Mackbook Pro 2015, which requires no adapter.

So it's either

- bung TB3 to TB2 adapter.
- something else.

I've reset NVRAM and SMC.

Anything else this could be before I take a trip to the Simply Mac store?
Click to expand...
Maybe a dumb question, but are you sure it’s a Thunderbolt Display and not a 27” Apple Cinema Display? The Thunderbolt Display has an Ethernet port on it. If you have a Cinema Display, the Thunderbolt 2 to 3 adapter will not work.
 
Coheebuzz said:
Both work fine with the right adaptors, for the Thunderbolt one you simply need an Apple Thunderbolt 3 to 2 adapter while for the Mini DisplayPort one it's a bit more complicated as most of the adaptors out there don't work, but i have both on my desk and have successfully connected my M1 mini to them, one at a time that is.
Click to expand...
Good to know.

Can you post what adapter you are using for the Apple Cinema Display on your M1 Mac, incase someone finds this thread looking for an answer?
 
vertical smile said:
Good to know.

Can you post what adapter you are using for the Apple Cinema Display on your M1 Mac, incase someone finds this thread looking for an answer?
Click to expand...
See this thread https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/m1-to-mini-displayport-finally-working.2275970/

There are 3 options as far as i know...

1) Find a Mini DisplayPort to USB-C adapter that's been confirmed to work (most of them out-there don't).

2) Link the computer and monitor with a Thunderbolt 2 drive and an Apple Thunderbolt 3 to 2 adapter. I have it working with the particular Lacie i linked in the thread so i can't speak for other brands but in principle it should work with any TB2 drive.

3) Using a DisplayLink hub, which can be overkill for this purpose alone.
 
Ok, found the solution and it all makes sense. The monitor is a Cinema display which use a mini display port plug which looks like a Thunderbolt 2.

Ordered a mini display to USB C hopefully all will be fine and dandy.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Tagbert
This is just an FYI:
Minidisplayport was introduced in 2008 and supported 2560×1600 resolution.
Thunderbolt was introduced in 2011, using the same connector and still carrying the displayport signal and still supporting 2560×1600 resolution
Thunderbolt 2 was introduced in 2013, still using the same connector and still carrying the displayport signal but can support 4K video.

Some users see the minidisplayport receptacle on their MBP and believe they have thunderbolt, when they only have displayport.
 
  • Like
Reactions: johnmarki and Mightyfinenick
justashooter said:
This is just an FYI:
Minidisplayport was introduced in 2008 and supported 2560×1600 resolution.
Thunderbolt was introduced in 2011, using the same connector and still carrying the displayport signal and still supporting 2560×1600 resolution
Thunderbolt 2 was introduced in 2013, still using the same connector and still carrying the displayport signal but can support 4K video.

Some users see the minidisplayport receptacle on their MBP and believe they have thunderbolt, when they only have displayport.
Click to expand...
Justashooter - yep it's actually a Cinema display, I got a mini DP adapter instead. Still no bueno unfortunately.
 
Which adaptor did you get so we may avoid it? In the thread i linked above a user has reported that the Choetech one works, although some photo proof would have been nice.
 
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
Your adapter looks exactly like mine (which didn't work) but of a different brand, must be the same production model but rebranded. So to people in the same boat, don't buy these i guess.

IMG_1932.JPG
 
Coheebuzz said:
Your adapter looks exactly like mine (which didn't work) but of a different brand, must be the same production model but rebranded. So to people in the same boat, don't buy these i guess.

View attachment 1701843
Click to expand...

Were you able to find a solution/use another type of adapter? I'm considering trying a dock such as this one. I'd like to be able to connect hard drives and dual monitors eventually so will see how it goes.

Frustrating not having another adapter to test, but it may well be the culprit.
 
From your link, in the description. Is yours a Thunderbolt Cinema Display?

"This adapter will NOT work with Apple Thunderbolt Cinema Display. This adapter will NOT work in combination with DVI adapters. This adapter is NOT compatible with other inline adapters between the adapter and the monitor."
 
Mightyfinenick said:
Were you able to find a solution/use another type of adapter? I'm considering trying a dock such as this one. I'd like to be able to connect hard drives and dual monitors eventually so will see how it goes.

Frustrating not having another adapter to test, but it may well be the culprit.
Click to expand...

Unconfirmed solutions sadly, a guy in my thread reported that this one worked for him but we only got his word, and a local shop is reporting that this one works which looks the same as the Choetech one - another case of rebranding - so we got two anecdotal reports of that one working.

What's been confirmed to work is using a powered Thunderbolt 2 drive as an in-between, although it's not an ideal solution because you can't let the drive sleep.

justashooter said:
From your link, in the description. Is yours a Thunderbolt Cinema Display?

"This adapter will NOT work with Apple Thunderbolt Cinema Display. This adapter will NOT work in combination with DVI adapters. This adapter is NOT compatible with other inline adapters between the adapter and the monitor."
Click to expand...

The OP's display turned out to be the LED with Mini DisplayPort if you scroll up.
 
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
Hi all - thanks for the responses. Problem solved and the Cinema display is working great.

The Itanda adapter turned out to be a dud - link

This JSAUX adapter for much cheaper is working great - link
 
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back