Connecting multiple Macs to Pro Display XDR

[schweigert85]

OK im using the belkin cable to my pc with an old Radeon RX480 - and it work! 5.2gbs connected, getting 5k display and peripherals.

it was NOT working when I tried to connect it through a TB3 doc .... so still hunting for a TB3 KVM i suppose

 

[schweigert85]

I found a TB KVM switch that works!!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B092VHC166?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

I'm able to toggle the display between my PC (using belkin cable) and Macbook pro - and getting 6k 60hz (and charging at 95 watts)

Oddly enough, TB4 rated cables don't work (like the one that came with the XDR), only USB C's

its not perfect for actually desk usage as the cable is short, so its basically just ziptied behind the XDR - but it lets you press the button instead of physically unplugging and swapping.

the cheese grater is useful lol

 

[petardosh]

I found a TB KVM switch that works!!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B092VHC166?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

I'm able to toggle the display between my PC (using belkin cable) and Macbook pro - and getting 6k 60hz (and charging at 95 watts)

Oddly enough, TB4 rated cables don't work (like the one that came with the XDR), only USB C's

its not perfect for actually desk usage as the cable is short, so its basically just ziptied behind the XDR - but it lets you press the button instead of physically unplugging and swapping.

the cheese grater is useful lol

I've found a newer USB switch that is more flexible with the cable length, it is available from AliExpress: https://www.navceker.com/products/usb-c-kvm-sw

I have similar setup like you with my webcam, mice and keyboard connected to the XDR in addition to a USB audio box.
Curious if you are getting 5 GB/s or USB 2.0 speeds on the XDR.

Would you mind checking what speed you are getting from the USB bus on the XDR via switch? It is shown in the System Information app on the Mac under USB (Hostcontroller AppleUSBXHCITR).

 

[rodrigore]

I've found a newer USB switch that is more flexible with the cable length, it is available from AliExpress: https://www.navceker.com/products/usb-c-kvm-sw

I have similar setup like you with my webcam, mice and keyboard connected to the XDR in addition to a USB audio box.
Curious if you are getting 5 GB/s or USB 2.0 speeds on the XDR.

Would you mind checking what speed you are getting from the USB bus on the XDR via switch? It is shown in the System Information app on the Mac under USB (Hostcontroller AppleUSBXHCITR).

Hey man, what cable should I need to buy to connect that kvm to the XDR?

it must be the belkin one or could be another bidirectional displayport to usb-c cable?

Thanks!

 

[petardosh]

Hey man, what cable should I need to buy to connect that kvm to the XDR?

it must be the belkin one or could be another bidirectional displayport to usb-c cable?

Thanks!

The DP to USBC cable works but only for video. The Belkin is necessary if you want to use the usb 2 hub on the xdr and change its brightness with your keyboard.

 

[joevt]

The DP to USBC cable works but only for video. The Belkin is necessary if you want to use the usb 2 hub on the xdr and change its brightness with your keyboard.

There are alternatives to the Belkin Charge and Sync cable.
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/alternative-to-the-belkin-vr-cable.2378619/

 

[rodrigore]

There are alternatives to the Belkin Charge and Sync cable.
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/alternative-to-the-belkin-vr-cable.2378619/

Thanks to both of you for your replies.

If I buy:
* kvm adapter: https://www.navceker.com/products/usb-c-kvm-sw
*This cable: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BNX7MS6N/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A33PZKYV7F63ED&psc=1

Would I need anything else to connect to the Apple XDR? (or that usb-c is compatible with the thunderbolt port of the monitor?)

 

[joevt]

Would I need anything else to connect to the Apple XDR? (or that usb-c is compatible with the thunderbolt port of the monitor?)

I think that USB-C should be compatible with the Thunderbolt port of the monitor. You should get 6K60 if you have a modern Mac that has a GPU that supports DSC (Apple Silicon Mac, or Intel Ice Lake based Mac Book Pro, or AMD Navi GPU - 5300M, 5500M, ..., 6800XT).

 

[kokot_leo]

Here are my two cents. I recently bought the CableDeconn USB-C switch, but unfortunately, it doesn't even power on. The diode does not light up when I connect a micro USB cable to the device.

Probably nothing is wrong with the product itself and it will probably work with the XDR display.
But I got some defective unit.

I watched a YouTube video where the Cabledeconn was supposed to light up and allow for USB-C input switching, even when USB-C cables weren't connected.

To investigate further, I disassembled the switch. I removed the black stickers on the sides and four screws. I'm wondering if there might be a short circuit between the A10 and A11 lines, and two components on the board are missing.

 

[wilgieseler]

In what can only be described as a miracle, I've gotten a KVM solution with a Pro Display XDR connecting to my MacBook Pro and to my gaming PC at 6K with HDR.

PC cable (WJESOG DisplayPort to USB C Cable 6.6ft 4K@60Hz): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BNX7MS6N
KVM switch (SABRENT Thunderbolt 4 KVM Switch): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C74SWVD5

I used the two thunderbolt cables that came with the KVM to go from the MacBook <> KVM <> XDR.

 

[kokot_leo]

A cheaper and "maybe?" more reliable alternative to a KVM switch would be a magnetic TB adaptor.
You would need two of these, both for 100$ + shipping.
Then connect one magnetic female end to the XDR TB4 input.
Then use two magnetic male ends on the Mac/PC cables.

What do you think?

Magrig Adapter, Thunderbolt Magnetic Adapter, MagSafe Alternative

Magrig Thunderbolt magnetic adapter, the world first Thunderbolt magnetic adapter for Apple Macs and iPad Pro. Shop yours now for same day dispatch. Free worldwide shipping and hassle-free return.

magrig.com

 

[Kris Kelvin]

PC cable (WJESOG DisplayPort to USB C Cable 6.6ft 4K@60Hz): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BNX7MS6N
KVM switch (SABRENT Thunderbolt 4 KVM Switch): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C74SWVD5

That's exactly the solution I was looking at for switching my XDR between a Mac Studio and a gaming PC. The reports about burnt-out motherboards when using the SABRENT SB-TB4K prevented me from making the purchase (yet).

Sabrent writes:
"Note: For use with Thunderbolt-certified host systems only. Permanent damage can occur when used with uncertified devices."

A DP to USB-C cable is almost the exact opposite of Thunderbolt-certified.
But as I understand it, your setup works flawless for you?

 

[phobus]

In what can only be described as a miracle, I've gotten a KVM solution with a Pro Display XDR connecting to my MacBook Pro and to my gaming PC at 6K with HDR.

PC cable (WJESOG DisplayPort to USB C Cable 6.6ft 4K@60Hz): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BNX7MS6N
KVM switch (SABRENT Thunderbolt 4 KVM Switch): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C74SWVD5

I used the two thunderbolt cables that came with the KVM to go from the MacBook <> KVM <> XDR.

did you connect the pc cable to the kvm as "pc 2", I'm trying the same thing but it doesn't seem to be working. The pc cable direct to the xdr works, and the mac to xdr works either way (direct or via kvm), but not pc->kvm->xdr

 

[elliottcable]

That's exactly the solution I was looking at for switching my XDR between a Mac Studio and a gaming PC. The reports about burnt-out motherboards when using the SABRENT SB-TB4K prevented me from making the purchase (yet).

Just FYI, it looks like the SB-TB4K Thunderbolt KVM switch has been patched with a firmware update for this motherboard-frying issue:

Has SB-TB4K KVM Switch upgraded firmware since introduction? | Sabrent

There are some reviews on Amazon and B&H Photo saying Thunderbolt 4 KVM Switch has fried MacBook and Mac Thunderbolt ports and motherboards. Others says the unit has overheated even in rooms at 70F. I like to (safely) use this KVM switch with my Apple Pro Display 6K Display with a 2019 Intel...

sabrent.com

However, only serial-numbers ≥47786080301275 ship with the update; and I haven't seen any mention of flashing the device yourself … so I'd play it safe if ordering one in the next year or so, and make sure to get it directly from the manufacturer's online store, not Amazon or eBay or something.

 

[wilgieseler]

> did you connect the pc cable to the kvm as "pc 2", I'm trying the same thing but it doesn't seem to be working. The pc cable direct to the xdr works, and the mac to xdr works either way (direct or via kvm), but not pc->kvm->xdr

> That's exactly the solution I was looking at for switching my XDR between a Mac Studio and a gaming PC. The reports about burnt-out motherboards when using the SABRENT SB-TB4K prevented me from making the purchase (yet).

> Sabrent writes:
> "Note: For use with Thunderbolt-certified host systems only. Permanent damage can occur when used with uncertified devices."

> A DP to USB-C cable is almost the exact opposite of Thunderbolt-certified.
But as I understand it, your setup works flawless for you?


A couple updates: The KVM was generally working, I did NOT know about the motherboard frying issue, jesus christ. So far everything seems fine. I do NOT have a patched one (I have SN 47786080300857). My PC motherboard is a ASUS ROG Strix X570-E.

I swear when I posted it worked correctly with both devices at 6K. However, at some point, maybe due to shuffling cables around, maybe due to a Windows or NVIDIA driver update or something, my PC only gets 5K through the KVM, while the Mac continues to get 6K. It's possible I was wrong and it was always 5K? I really think I checked it though. No idea how to fix this. Any ideas would be most welcome.

Also, it definitely does seem very sensitive to which cables, in a way that confuses me a ton. The Thunderbolt cable included with the XDR does not work with the KVM. I was using the cables included with the KVM, one from the KVM to the display, and the other from the KVM to the MacBook Pro. I reorganized my desk cables and now I can't get the Mac to connect at all via the KVM, so I'm still troubleshooting that.

Update: It seems like the KVM is sometimes sensitive to the order devices are plugged in. I was having an issue where plugging the PC in would cause the Mac to no longer be available in the KVM. Unplugging and replugging various things got it working again?

It's very annoying, but its really nice when it works. It also takes 15-30 seconds to switch displays when pressing the KVM button, which is surprising but not terrible.

 

[Kris Kelvin]

my PC only gets 5K through the KVM, while the Mac continues to get 6K

I also bought a Sabrent SB-TB4K to switch a Pro Display XDR between a Mac Studio and a PC (using a bidirectional DisplayPort to USB-C cable) and I see the same issue: 6K@60Hz HDR on the Mac, but only 5K@60Hz SDR on the PC.

I've tried different cables, but that doesn't seem to help. Manually adding a custom resolution in the Nvidia control panel wasn't possible (says the display is not supporting the custom resolution).

These issues are probably related to this (info from here):

An Apple Pro Display XDR requires two HBR3 connections over a single Thunderbolt cable to get 6K 60Hz (the display has two tiles) when using a GPU that doesn't support DSC.

Presumably, something is lost in the SB-TB4K (for example the display's info about its DSC support).

I reorganized my desk cables and now I can't get the Mac to connect at all via the KVM, so I'm still troubleshooting that.

In my case, the SB-TB4K would only switch back to the Mac every third attempt or so.

A third problem: My speakers (connected to a USB DAC/amp) started making weird noises intermittently. Some creeping current perhaps?

For my use case, the SB-TB4K is clearly not working and will be returned.

 

[wilgieseler]

> I also bought a Sabrent SB-TB4K to switch a Pro Display XDR between a Mac Studio and a PC (using a bidirectional DisplayPort to USB-C cable) and I see the same issue: 6K@60Hz HDR on the Mac, but only 5K@60Hz SDR on the PC.

In case it helps, I am able to get HDR to work on the PC at 5K, but you may have to adjust the settings on the Mac first to get it to kick into HDR mode on Windows. I thought HDR didn't work for a long time but it should. Unfortunately I can't remember exactly what I did.

 

[Kris Kelvin]

Great news, everyone! I've finally found a solution to properly and reliably switch a Pro Display XDR between a Mac and a PC, the latter being connected with a bidirectional DisplayPort-to-USB-C cable.

It's this product: Cable Matters 20Gbps USB-C Switch

✅ 6K@60Hz from both Mac and PC
✅ Switches quickly (~3 seconds)
✅ Works every time (as opposed to Sabrent's Thunderbolt 4 KVM)
✅ Not expensive
✅ Good cable length
✅ Not external power supply required

Important to note:

• It's a USB-C switch, not a Thunderbolt switch. Despite this, System Profiler shows the Pro Display XDR as being connected in "Thunderbolt 3" mode.
• The switch didn't seem to work with Thunderbolt cables connected directly to it (but that may have been a cable issue).
• The USB-C cable connecting to the switch needs to support a data rate of 20gbps. The two included cables do that. If the cable only supports 10gbps, there will either be no connection (black screen), lots of flickering or even a kernel panic. That being said, I've had success with a short USB-C cable that was only rated at 10gbps (but did connect at 20gbps).
• When using a Thunderbolt Dock between the Mac and the Switch, make sure to connect the switch to one of the Thunderbolt ports.
• HDR works fine from the Mac, but Windows stopped showing it as supported after some Nvidia driver update or so. I don't care enough to investigate. Interestingly enough, the Nvidia driver panel allows switching to 12 bits per channel.

I use the switch like this: Mac Studio -> Thunderbolt 3 Dock -> Cable Matters Switch -> Pro Display XDR
Multiple Thunderbolt docks seem to work in that configuration; I've tried both a Promise TD-300 (JHL6540 I believe) and a Orico TB3-S2 (JHL7440).

Note regarding availability: The switch is sometimes out of stock and doesn't seem to be available outside the US (yet). I managed to buy a used one on Amazon, which for some reason does ship to Europe.

 

[jaeroner3653]

Great news, everyone! I've finally found a solution to properly and reliably switch a Pro Display XDR between a Mac and a PC, the latter being connected with a bidirectional DisplayPort-to-USB-C cable.

It's this product: Cable Matters 20Gbps USB-C Switch

✅ 6K@60Hz from both Mac and PC
✅ Switches quickly (~3 seconds)
✅ Works every time (as opposed to Sabrent's Thunderbolt 4 KVM)
✅ Not expensive
✅ Good cable length
✅ Not external power supply required

Important to note:

• It's a USB-C switch, not a Thunderbolt switch. Despite this, System Profiler shows the Pro Display XDR as being connected in "Thunderbolt 3" mode.
• The switch didn't seem to work with Thunderbolt cables connected directly to it (but that may have been a cable issue).
• The USB-C cable connecting to the switch needs to support a data rate of 20gbps. The two included cables do that. If the cable only supports 10gbps, there will either be no connection (black screen), lots of flickering or even a kernel panic. That being said, I've had success with a short USB-C cable that was only rated at 10gbps (but did connect at 20gbps).
• When using a Thunderbolt Dock between the Mac and the Switch, make sure to connect the switch to one of the Thunderbolt ports.
• HDR works fine from the Mac, but Windows stopped showing it as supported after some Nvidia driver update or so. I don't care enough to investigate. Interestingly enough, the Nvidia driver panel allows switching to 12 bits per channel.

I use the switch like this: Mac Studio -> Thunderbolt 3 Dock -> Cable Matters Switch -> Pro Display XDR
Multiple Thunderbolt docks seem to work in that configuration; I've tried both a Promise TD-300 (JHL6540 I believe) and a Orico TB3-S2 (JHL7440).

Note regarding availability: The switch is sometimes out of stock and doesn't seem to be available outside the US (yet). I managed to buy a used one on Amazon, which for some reason does ship to Europe.

Is this still working for you?

can you clarify this

• The switch didn't seem to work with Thunderbolt cables connected directly to it (but that may have been a cable issue).

Thanks!

 

[Kris Kelvin]

can you clarify this

• The switch didn't seem to work with Thunderbolt cables connected directly to it (but that may have been a cable issue).

What I meant by this: I've unsuccessfully tried connecting the Cable Matters 20Gbps USB-C Switch to the following sources using Thunderbolt cables:

• Mac Studio using a 3m Apple Thunderbolt 4 Pro cable (40gbps) -> no image
• Thunderbolt 3 dock using a 1.5m Thunderbolt 3 cable (20gbps) -> flickering image

USB-C/Thunderbolt compatibility is always a gamble for high-bitrate connections. I suspect some different Thunderbolt cables may work. The included USB-C cables work fine in any case.

The switch is still working great for me. Very happy.

 

[jaeroner3653]

What I meant by this: I've unsuccessfully tried connecting the Cable Matters 20Gbps USB-C Switch to the following sources using Thunderbolt cables:

• Mac Studio using a 3m Apple Thunderbolt 4 Pro cable (40gbps) -> no image
• Thunderbolt 3 dock using a 1.5m Thunderbolt 3 cable (20gbps) -> flickering image

USB-C/Thunderbolt compatibility is always a gamble for high-bitrate connections. I suspect some different Thunderbolt cables may work. The included USB-C cables work fine in any case.

The switch is still working great for me. Very happy.

I was able to pick one up on Amazon. This probably wouldn't work with my cal digit ts4.

"the latter being connected with a bidirectional DisplayPort-to-USB-C cable."
Can you tell us which cable you are using? I have had success with a few over the years on and off. Sometimes they cause the monitor to flicker.

excited to try this out.

 

[Kris Kelvin]

I was able to pick one up on Amazon. This probably wouldn't work with my cal digit ts4.

I don't see why this wouldn't work. Both my Thunderbolt 3 docks work just fine plugged into the Cable Matters 20Gbps USB-C Switch.

Can you tell us which cable you are using?

DisplayPort to USB C Cable 6.6ft 4K@60Hz with USB Cable Adapter
Don't worry about the "4K@60Hz" in the description, it runs my Apple Pro Display XDR at 6K@60Hz perfectly fine (because of DSC, I assume).

 

[joevt]

I don't see why this wouldn't work. Both my Thunderbolt 3 docks work just fine plugged into the Cable Matters 20Gbps USB-C Switch.

Are the Thunderbolt 3 docks Alpine Ridge or Titan Ridge? Are the docks getting a Thunderbolt or USB connection? Titan Ridge has the option of falling back from Thunderbolt to USB-C. Alpine Ridge requires Thunderbolt.
Thunderbolt can work over normal (non-Thunderbolt) USB-C cables at up to 20 Gbps.

DisplayPort to USB C Cable 6.6ft 4K@60Hz with USB Cable Adapter
Don't worry about the "4K@60Hz" in the description, it runs my Apple Pro Display XDR at 6K@60Hz perfectly fine (because of DSC, I assume).

Correct. 6K60 with DSC requires less bandwidth than 4K60 without DSC. They both use HBR2 DisplayPort Link Rate.

 

[jaeroner3653]

I can confirm the Cable Matters 20Gbps USB-C Switch
works on my end.

Im using the cable matters supplied cable to connect my Mac Studio M2 MAX to port 1 on the switch.
Im using the WJSEOG DisplayPort to USB C Cable 6.6ft 4K@60Hz with USB Cable Adapter connecting to an rtx 4090 to port two on the switch

the switch works well and can go back and forth from the mac to the pc in approx 3 seconds

I haven't tried it with a thunderbolt dock yet so I have to connect my webcam and switch keyboards manually which is fine for now.

Kris can you confirm your computer peripherals work as well when using the switch with a dock?

In my current state the thunderbolt ports on the XDR do not work when switching over to the PC.

Also a good thunderbolt dock recommendation to work in this scenario would be great

 

[Kris Kelvin]

Kris can you confirm your computer peripherals work as well when using the switch with a dock?

In my case, the Thunderbolt dock is placed between the Mac and the USB-C switch (so it's for devices that only need to be connected to the Mac). All the peripherals connected to the Thunderbolt dock work fine.

Additionally, peripherals connected to the USB-C ports of the Pro Display XDR also work fine and are available to either the Mac or the PC, depending on what source is selected on the USB-C switch. If that's not working for you, the WJSEOG cable might be at fault (defective or improperly connected).

Do the peripherals show up on the PC if you connect the Pro Display XDR directly (without the USB-C switch inbetween)?