Difference Between Thunderbolt Display and Cinema Display?

[SuperDuperMan]

They both look exactly alike and I am considering purchasing either a MBA from 2012-2015 or a Mac Mini from 2012-2014 and do not want to run into compatibility issues.

If anyone can point me in The right direction towards literature or knows the answer I would be very thankful.

Thank you!

 

[saulinpa]

From the practical point of view the TB display has one less connector to deal with.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Cinema_Display
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Thunderbolt_Display

 

[Boyd01]

The Thunderbolt display will give you a thunderbolt dock. The Cinema display is just a monitor. Also, two Thunderbolt displays is one of the few ways you can use dual external monitors on a MacBook Air.

https://support.apple.com/kb/SP642?locale=hu_HU
_____________

Create a powerful docking station without a lot of clutter.

Peripheral connections

• Three powered USB 2.0 ports
• FireWire 800 port
• Gigabit Ethernet port
• Thunderbolt port

 

[Mr_Brightside_@]

Also, any of the models you listed will work with either, no adaptors required.

 

[saulinpa]

The cinema also has a 3 port USB 2.0 powered hub but also has a 24" version. TB display provides three extra ports that new Mac users generally never use.

 

[dwig]

The Cinema display also has a MagSafe power cord that can be used by some MacBooks.

 

[donstoptheparty]

Cinema display usually requires 3 connections vs the 2 on a Thunderbolt.

Thunderbolt also only connects with a thunderbolt friendly cable. Typical Apple . . .

Here is another interesting post that may help further:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/cinema-display-or-thunderbolt-display.1969192/

 

[wilson109]

The Thunderbolt display connects through ONLY its built in thunderbolt cable. The equivalent LCD display (non-thunderbolt) is very similar but for older Macs or PCs without thunderbolt. The actual display (screen) is the same.