Are Mini DisplayPort and Thunderbolt compatible?

[Silly John Fatty]

So I have this 27" LED Cinema Display, it's the one with the Mini DisplayPort (the one identical to the Thunderbolt Display) and I was wondering if it is compatible with a 2017 MacBook Air?

The MacBook seems to have Thunderbolt 2.

Will everything fully work with the right adapter? I once had issues where something didn't work (I think it was changing the brightness with the keyboard or something like that, or the USB ports of the Display weren't usable, I don't remember).

 

[Juicy Box]

No adapter is needed for TB2 to Mini DisplayPort, it is the same connector.

 

[Silly John Fatty]

No adapter is needed for TB2 to Mini DisplayPort, it is the same connector.

Oh that is amazing! I was kind of wondering why TB2 is so "high". Now this explains it.

Will it just fit inside perfectly or will it technically fully work also?

 

[Juicy Box]

the USB ports of the Display weren't usable, I don't remember)

There should be a separate connector for USB, unless this is a Thunderbolt Display.

Either way, TB1/2 and Mini DisplayPort is the same connector.

 

[Juicy Box]

I was kind of wondering why TB2 is so "high". Now this explains it.

Not sure what you mean by “high”. Maybe something lost in translation?

Will it just fit inside perfectly or will it technically fully work also?

TB1 and TB2 is the same exact plug as Mini DisplayPort.

The difference is that Mini DisplayPort only transfers A/V.

 

[Silly John Fatty]

Not sure what you mean by “high”. Maybe something lost in translation?

TB1 and TB2 is the same exact plug as Mini DisplayPort.

I meant high as in height lol, it's much higher in size than TB3 or 4. It looked familiar but I never knew TB2, so I didn't recognise it.

The difference is that Mini DisplayPort only transfers A/V.

Then everything should work I believe? There's an additional USB cable that is used for keyboard commands I believe, and also for powering the whole thing, if I'm not mistaken.

 

[mcnallym]

I meant high as in height lol, it's much higher in size than TB3 or 4. It looked familiar but I never knew TB2, so I didn't recognise it.



Then everything should work I believe? There's an additional USB cable that is used for keyboard commands I believe, and also for powering the whole thing, if I'm not mistaken.

I have the 24" version and has a 3 port cable

1.) mini-dp for video output
2.) USB-A for connecting the Speakers and the Camera
3.) Magsafe for Power to a Macbook

Separate Power Cable to provide power for the Display, to charge the Macbook over Magsafe

The idea was they could be hub/power for the then current gen MacBooks

 

[Silly John Fatty]

I have the 24" version and has a 3 port cable

1.) mini-dp for video output
2.) USB-A for connecting the Speakers and the Camera
3.) Magsafe for Power to a Macbook

Separate Power Cable to provide power for the Display, to charge the Macbook over Magsafe

The idea was they could be hub/power for the then current gen MacBooks

That's exactly how it is on my 27"!

Do you use it with a Mac with Thunderbolt 2 by any chance?

 

[theluggage]

Do you use it with a Mac with Thunderbolt 2 by any chance?

I've used 27" LED Cinema displays on various TB2 MacBooks. Should just plug straight in.

Thunderbolt 1 and 2 ports (at least in Macs) are backward compatible with Mini DisplayPort.

You might need a Magsafe 1 to Magsafe 2 adapter if you want to power/charge the Mac from the display, though.

The only gotcha is if you have a newer Mac with Thunderbolt 3 - in which case you need a USB-C to MiniDP adapter and *not* a Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 1/2 adapter - although they look the same.

 

[Silly John Fatty]

I've used 27" LED Cinema displays on various TB2 MacBooks. Should just plug straight in.

Thunderbolt 1 and 2 ports (at least in Macs) are backward compatible with Mini DisplayPort.

You might need a Magsafe 1 to Magsafe 2 adapter if you want to power/charge the Mac from the display, though.

The only gotcha is if you have a newer Mac with Thunderbolt 3 - in which case you need a USB-C to MiniDP adapter and *not* a Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 1/2 adapter - although they look the same.

Amazing, thank you! That made a lot of things easier. 🙂

And yeah I've heard about the compatibility with Thunderbolt 3, that's why I was confused for a second, and thought I'd need an adapter.

Awesome, one less thing to worry about 😉