Connect Mini and Macbook Air to thunderbolt display?

[i0Nic]

Hi guys,

Is it possible to be able to connect both a Mini and a Macbook Air to a cinema display / thunderbolt display at the same time?

My use case would be having a mini connected to the display at all times, and then connecting the macbook when I get home at night switching the display so it shows the macbook display.

I wanted to add a Mini to my devices as I have a need to be able to run a computer when I'm not at home (as I usually take my laptop with me when I leave the house).

 

[Intell]

You'll need one of these: http://www.kanexlive.com/snapx

 

[i0Nic]

Is a 3rd party accessory really the only way? Even with the new thunderbolt port?

 

[AdrianK]

Is a 3rd party accessory really the only way? Even with the new thunderbolt port?

Thunderbolt's daisy-chaining is for connecting more than one device to a single computer e.g. MBA <-> TB HDD <-> TB Display (one port that 'splits' as opposed to having more than one thunderbolt port per computer).

You could do this MBA <-> TB Display <-> Mac Mini, but then you're just connecting the Mac Mini to the MBA (e.g. for filesharing) and TB Display to MBA.

 

[respectabilia]

The iMac vs ATD question again...

Is a 3rd party accessory really the only way? Even with the new thunderbolt port?

Pertinent question. It's to do with that same ATD vs iMac question that's been bugging me.

My own idea was to stick a HDD into the ATD and use that for all the massive storage that I get immediate access to when I dock the MBA into the ATD.

Do you really need a Mini? If so, might it not just be better to get an iMac and dock your MBA into it's screen when you want to (though I'm not sure why I'd do that if I had an iMac ready to go)...

 

[AdrianK]

Pertinent question. It's to do with that same ATD vs iMac question that's been bugging me.

My own idea was to stick a HDD into the ATD and use that for all the massive storage that I get immediate access to when I dock the MBA into the ATD.

Do you really need a Mini? If so, might it not just be better to get an iMac and dock your MBA into it's screen when you want to (though I'm not sure why I'd do that if I had an iMac ready to go)...

I was kind of thinking the same, unless the OP needs 8GB of RAM (or 16GB if you want to drop >$1k)/Quad Core i7/Radeon 6330M.

 

[pommack]

You'll need one of these: http://www.kanexlive.com/snapx

Does that adapter work whit thunderbolt display?I think that it doesent work.

 

[Intell]

Does that adapter work whit thunderbolt display?I think that it doesent work.

I quote from the site:

I just purchased a new thunderbolt equipped MacBook Pro, will this work with the SNAPX?
Yes, the SNAPX is compatible with the new MacBook Pro's equipped with thunderbolt

 

[stefmesman]

the snap x doesn't have thunderbolt cables. so it will not work on a thunderbolt display only on the older display. it does work on the 2011 mbp but only to an minidisplayport

 

[Intell]

the snap x doesn't have thunderbolt cables. so it will not work on a thunderbolt display only on the older display. it does work on the 2011 mbp but only to an minidisplayport

It would still work and here's why: Thunderbolt currently transfers data over copper cables. The SnapX is like an extension of the Tunderbolt cable, but instead of having the Thunderbolt firmware chip at the plug, its in the mid point of the cable. IE, its where the display plugs into the SnapX.

 

[xraydoc]

It would still work and here's why: Thunderbolt currently transfers data over copper cables. The SnapX is like an extension of the Tunderbolt cable, but instead of having the Thunderbolt firmware chip at the plug, its in the mid point of the cable. IE, its where the display plugs into the SnapX.

No. Each TB cable has an active transceiver chip on it that compensates for signal loss from the cable itself. These are tuned to the cable and necessary for proper function. This will not work.

Edit: It'll work for mini-DisplayPort video only; it will not work to carry Thunderbolt data. Not for $69.

 

[krburrell]

It'll work for mini-DisplayPort video only; it will not work to carry Thunderbolt data. Not for $69.

I agree.

 

[Lennyvalentin]

It would still work and here's why: Thunderbolt currently transfers data over copper cables.

Transferring 10Gbit/s per lane (TB currently offers up to 4 lanes) reliably over copper is very complicated and requires a lot of silicon circuitry. Just hooking a device in the middle to switch between inputs absolutely would not work. Mini displayport is not pin compatible, nor signal compatible with TB, even though they both use the same connector.