Apple Cinema Display and MacBook Pro (late 2016)

[east85]

So I've just checked my setup and confirm that I can drive a Thunderbolt Cinema Display and an LED Cinema Display from my MacBook Pro 15" Touchbar through the Apple USB C -> Thunderbolt adapter. I have 3 screens to work on (i.e. no mirroring). So have exactly the same functionality as I had with my 13" MacBook Pro Retina.

The config I have is the following:

MacBook Pro (USB-C) -> Thunderbolt Adapter (TB) -> Thunderbolt Display (TB) -> Drobo Mini (TB) -> LED Cinema Display (Mini DisplayPort)

The Thunderbolt Display never allowed you to directly daisy chain the Thunderbolt Display, but some forums a few years back indicated putting a TB device in between made it work (yeh, I know weird).

The last part actually used to be in an apple support document (regarding TB device between thunderbolt & cinema) but for some reason Apple removed it. You can still find a lot of online content linking to the support document but the text was removed.

 

[BlueRevere]

I got my MacBook today and I can confirm that this works:

MacBook Pro -> Apple Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter (TB) -> Thunderbolt Display

 

[smirking]

MacBook Pro (USB-C) -> Thunderbolt Adapter (TB) -> Thunderbolt Display (TB) -> Drobo Mini (TB) -> LED Cinema Display (Mini DisplayPort)

Is that the 23" or the 30" LED ACD Monitor?

 

[BlueRevere]

23'' and 30'' are Apple Cinema Displays
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Cinema_Display

the Apple Thunderbolt Display has 27''
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Thunderbolt_Display

 

[BlueRevere]

All that I need now to be happy is an MacSafe to USB-C Adapter, so I can use the power supply from the Thunderbolt display

 

[fpenta]

All that I need now to be happy is an MacSafe to USB-C Adapter, so I can use the power supply from the Thunderbolt display

I have the 27" Apple Cinema Display with mini display port. Which adapter do I need then?

 

[BlueRevere]

That is what you need:

Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter
http://www.apple.com/shop/product/MMEL2AM/A/thunderbolt-3-usb-c-to-thunderbolt-2-adapter

 

[hussainh1]

That is what you need:

Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter
http://www.apple.com/shop/product/MMEL2AM/A/thunderbolt-3-usb-c-to-thunderbolt-2-adapter

I don't believe this is correct. He doesn't have the 27" Thunderbolt display, he has the 27" LED Cinema display which three cables instead of one. I'm in the same boat, I have a 27" Apple LED display (pre-Thunderbolt) and a 23" Apple Cinema Display and I haven't found a solution yet.

I've tried this https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01E0CDWX0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
and Apple's Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter.

and a Kanex Thunderbolt 2 dock and just today I purchased from Fry's a USB-C to DisplayPort cable along with a DisplayPort to female Mini DisplayPort cable and can report that it didn't work for me.

I've yet to see a working solution with my own eyes. My 2016 TBMBP is collecting dust until I find a solution or the LG Ultrafine 5k display becomes available.
[doublepost=1480634457][/doublepost]

I've been using this adapter with my Mini DisplayPort Apple Cinema monitor for the past week so without any issues: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016ZX5J0Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_VJPmybVR2YRNA

When you click the Amazon link, there's many different styles available, which one did you get?

 

[gwang73]

When you click the Amazon link, there's many different styles available, which one did you get?

The description is: "USB Type C Adapter, AllSmartLife USB C Type to Mini DisplayPort/Mini DP Adapter Cable With Aluminium Case Support 4K resolution for Apple New Macbook, ChromeBook Pixel - Silver"

Looks like this:

 

[hussainh1]

Amazon says that's currently unavailable.

 

[gwang73]

Amazon says that's currently unavailable.

There's a bunch of them on Amazon if you do a little search.

Here's one that looks like it's exactly the same with a different brand name and is in stock: https://www.amazon.com/Nearpow-Disp...rd_wg=Ol6W5&psc=1&refRID=APZ7CDHRNC87BW0V1V4R

 

[hussainh1]

I saw that there were alternative or re-brandings, but 4 reviews with a one-star rating scared me. Of the four reviews, one said it works, and the other three said it either flickers or doesn't work at all.

 

[gwang73]

I would either wait for them to be back in stock or take a chance. The alternate link I sent look exactly the same as the one I have, down to the beveled edges at the end so I'm inclined to think it's the same. If it doesn't work, you can always return it to Amazon.

I'm still looking for an adapter that has a regular USB3.0 port with miniDP and charging pass-through. Haven't been able to find one yet.

 

[JesperA]

So confusing with all these threads when people cant even get such a simple thing as knowing the difference between the 27" Apple Cinema Display and the 27" Apple Thunderbolt Display correct...

Has anyone successfully connected the 27" Apple Cinema Display to the 2016 MBP?

 

[hussainh1]

So confusing with all these threads when people cant even get such a simple thing as knowing the difference between the 27" Apple Cinema Display and the 27" Apple Thunderbolt Display correct...

Has anyone successfully connected the 27" Apple Cinema Display to the 2016 MBP?

Nope, and because there are so many threads that confuse people, I created a new thread just now about the pre-Thunderbolt display here https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...apple-cinema-display-pre-thunderbolt.2019055/

 

[gwang73]

So confusing with all these threads when people cant even get such a simple thing as knowing the difference between the 27" Apple Cinema Display and the 27" Apple Thunderbolt Display correct...

Has anyone successfully connected the 27" Apple Cinema Display to the 2016 MBP?

Um yes, in my above posts. Using it right now as I write this.
[doublepost=1480651628][/doublepost]It's not that difficult to figure out which display is which. The 27" Apple Thunderbolt Display has a larger connector on it and the thunderbolt symbol. The 27" Apple Cinema Display has a smaller connector and a display icon on it.
Hopefully this will help everyone out when they are looking for the correct adapter for their display.

 

[smirking]

There's a bunch of them on Amazon if you do a little search.

You can find ones that look suspiciously similar with no logos on them on eBay for less than half of the price of those, but you'll need to wait for delivery from China and you won't be able to return them if they're not right.

Well, you COULD return them, but it'll cost you as much as you paid just to ship it back.

 

[JesperA]

It's not that difficult to figure out which display is which.

Yes, i know the difference obviously (that the monitors have 2 different names is a bigger clue than looking at the connector) but my point was that so many in this thread, even the OP did not seem to know the difference and there is a ton of threads here and on the Apple support forum that also claim that their Apple 27" Cinema Display works with the MBP but then it turns out they actually are talking about the Apple Thunderbolt Display, not the ACD. Really annoying when people say Apple Cinema Display when they are talking about the Apple Thunderbolt Display.

Right now you are basically the only one i've seen that seem to have the ACD working with the MBP but would be great with more people confirming they got their ACD working.

 

[fpenta]

Yes, i know the difference obviously (that the monitors have 2 different names is a bigger clue than looking at the connector) but my point was that so many in this thread, even the OP did not seem to know the difference and there is a ton of threads here and on the Apple support forum that also claim that their Apple 27" Cinema Display works with the MBP but then it turns out they actually are talking about the Apple Thunderbolt Display, not the ACD. Really annoying when people say Apple Cinema Display when they are talking about the Apple Thunderbolt Display.

Right now you are basically the only one i've seen that seem to have the ACD working with the MBP but would be great with more people confirming they got their ACD working.

I got my 27" Apple Led Cinema Display working. You need a mini Display Port to Display Port adapter and then a Display Port to USB -C Port adapter.

 

[gwang73]

I got my 27" Apple Led Cinema Display working. You need a mini Display Port to Display Port adapter and then a Display Port to USB -C Port adapter.

Why didn't you just get a single mDP to USB-C adapter?

 

[fpenta]

Why didn't you just get a single mDP to USB-C adapter?

I already had the the Mini display port to display port and it was cheaper to add the display port to usb one

 

[smirking]

Well, after two months, I finally have my new MBP and have been able to see if my 10 year old 30" Apple Cinema Display can work with it and I'm happy to report that it does and I had zero issues getting it going.

I'm using three adapters.

• Apple Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter ($99)
• Mini DisplayPort to USB-C Adapter (generic model bought off eBay for $10)
• Aukey USB-A to USB-C adapter for the USB plug of the DVI adapter ($5)

I know some people couldn't get this setup to work and my guess is that either it's the miniDP adapter and I just lucked out that the generic one I got was the right spec or perhaps the USB-C to USB-A adapter is not allowing enough power to be supplied to drive the monitor. I somewhat suspect the latter is true because I've been reading reports from other people that a similar setup worked for them, but then someone else will order the exact same Mini DisplayPort to USB-C adapter and it won't work for the 30" mini-DP display.

 

[edenorchestra]

They are either Thunderbolt displays or they are miniDisplayPort displays. I have (2) of the miniDisplayPort "Cinema Displays" circa 2011. Also you can use the older iMac's with miniDisplayPort as a second monitor, they work just like the Cinema Display. These all use a miniDisplayPort connector, but that connector could employ DisplayPort or Thunderbolt protocol on the wire, be careful this is key. This is where some folks are getting confused.

DisplayPort displays
I have connected my 2016 MBP to my old 2009 iMac via miniDisplayPort to USB-C connector using DisplayPort protocol.
Someone previously suggested this:https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B017TZTMBG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
It works perfectly, one small adapter and this miniDisplayPort to miniDisplayPort cable below between that adapter and the display.
https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matter...ds=mini+displayport+to+mini+displayport+cable

Thunderbolt displays
Now if your iMac or Thunderbolt Display uses a true Thunderbolt connection (again remember the connector itself is a miniDisplayPort device, but the protocol on the wire is Thunderbolt), then use the Apple Thunderbolt3 to Thunderbolt2 adapter.
http://www.apple.com/shop/product/MMEL2AM/A/thunderbolt-3-usb-c-to-thunderbolt-2-adapter?fnode=85
And you need a Thunderbolt2 to Thunderbolt2 cable to go from the above adapter on your 2016 MPB to the respective Thunderbolt 2 device.
http://www.apple.com/shop/product/MD861LL/A/apple-thunderbolt-cable-20-m?fnode=85

I've tested the above scenarios and found them all to work just fine.
The Thunderbolt 2 cable and the miniDisplayPort cables "look" the same, they are not. Thunderbolt cables have the lighting bolt on the connectors.
Hope this helps.

 

[smirking]

They are either Thunderbolt displays or they are miniDisplayPort displays.

From what I've read in the MR threads, the 2004 release 30" miniDP ACD is another animal. Those have been the hardest to get working.

 

[edenorchestra]

Yea I think you are right on that.