Can the Thunderbolt 3 devices output to Target Display (Thunderbolt 1)?

[jackoatmon]

Obscure and discontinued (but excellent) feature.

I'm planning to use my 2011 27" iMac as a Target Display for my new MBP, when i receive it.

Has anyone sucessfully done Thunderbolt Target Display with a new USB3-C port?

I assume it would require:

Thunderbolt 3 -> Thunderbolt adapter (or hub)
Thunderbolt Cable

Perhaps someone's done it with a TB3 Macbook or a 2016 13" MBP?

 

[jermwhl]

Obscure and discontinued (but excellent) feature.

I'm planning to use my 2011 27" iMac as a Target Display for my new MBP, when i receive it.

Has anyone sucessfully done Thunderbolt Target Display with a new USB3-C port?

I assume it would require:

Thunderbolt 3 -> Thunderbolt adapter (or hub)
Thunderbolt Cable

Perhaps someone's done it with a TB3 Macbook or a 2016 13" MBP?

It's still supported in Sierra, so I don't see why not. As you stated, you'll need the TB3 to TB adapter. I just picked up one today for my external hard drive, but no TB display to test this.

https://support.apple.com/kb/PH25670?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US

 

[jackoatmon]

Well, I personally can see one reason why not (potentially):

Target Display through TB (not MiniDisplay) has only ever worked TB -> TB across TB cable.

Now we're introducing a signal converter in the TB3->TB adapter. No telling whether that signal conversion supports whatever protocols were used for Target Display. Or whether TB3 sends it out in the first place.

For the record, this is a question the techs at my local Apple store did not know the answer to, so real-world testing is the only way to find out.

Hoping it still works!

 

[Gudi]

No telling whether that signal conversion supports whatever protocols were used for Target Display.

Most likely the TB3 to TB adapter is just a plug shape adapter and not a signal converter. I suppose the TB3 ports are backward-compatible and can speak TB2 and TB1 protocol if needed. Being able to serve as a display is a property of the iMac. The MacBook Pro needs to be able to send a DiplayPort stream via Thunderbolt port anyway.

 

[Crazy Badger]

Anyone know if this is possible on a rMB and if so, using which adapter?

 

[tophr]

I'm curious about this as well. I'm getting a new 13" MacBook Pro this week and have a 2010 27" iMac. What cable(s) would I need? Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter ( http://www.apple.com/shop/product/MMEL2AM/A/thunderbolt-3-usb-c-to-thunderbolt-2-adapter ) paired with a Thunderbolt cable ( http://www.apple.com/shop/product/MD861LL/A/apple-thunderbolt-cable-20-m ) that plugs into my iMac's Displayport?

 

[jackoatmon]

I'm curious about this as well. I'm getting a new 13" MacBook Pro this week and have a 2010 27" iMac. What cable(s) would I need? Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter ( http://www.apple.com/shop/product/MMEL2AM/A/thunderbolt-3-usb-c-to-thunderbolt-2-adapter ) paired with a Thunderbolt cable ( http://www.apple.com/shop/product/MD861LL/A/apple-thunderbolt-cable-20-m ) that plugs into my iMac's Displayport?

Pretty sure the new machine does not output DisplayPort. It would have to be a 2011 or '12 with the TB port. Don't quote me but I've read that elsewhere.

Basically, the weird thing about target display, was it only worked between Tb -> TB or Displayport -> displayport, but not between TB and displayport devices.

Or something. It was complicated, as I recall.

 

[fyrefly]

Actually I'm writing this on my Non-TouchBar 2016 13" MBP right now. Power plugged into one of the TB3 ports, and a mono price USB-C to Displayport cable with a Displayport to Mini-DP adapter on the other end on the other. It's plugged into my 2009 iMac and Target Display is working fine.

This CABLE: http://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=12908
This Adapter: http://www.monoprice.com/Product?p_id=5714

Setup works on my 2015 12" MacBook too (though without the extra port for power)

 

[tophr]

Actually I'm writing this on my Non-TouchBar 2016 13" MBP right now. Power plugged into one of the TB3 ports, and a mono price USB-C to Displayport cable with a Displayport to Mini-DP adapter on the other end on the other. It's plugged into my 2009 iMac and Target Display is working fine.

This CABLE: http://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=12908
This Adapter: http://www.monoprice.com/Product?p_id=5714

Setup works on my 2015 12" MacBook too (though without the extra port for power)

Excited to report after a misguided purchase of some HDMI adapters (oops) at MicroCenter, I am now posting from my 13" touchbar MBP on my 2010 27" iMac in Target Display Mode.

Monoprice Adapter on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002YQYCUM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
This USB-C Male to DisplayPort Male cable: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01E9RTEI8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1