Do you think the new MBPs will still work with Thunderbolt Display?

[themp]

If rumors are correct and the new MBPs have only USB-C ports (assumingly with Thunderbolt 3), do you think there will be a way to connect the old Thunderbolt Displays? I'm hoping they'll make an adapter that converts the Thunderbolt 2 and MagSafe cords from the display to USB-C. Having very little understanding of how Thunderbolt or USB-C work, however, I don't know if this is even possible?

 

[killawat]

Apple mite brew up their own solution as well

https://www.akitio.com/media/com_hikashop/upload/akitio-t3t-angle.jpg

https://www.akitio.com/adapters/t3t

 

[JTToft]

There already are adaptors as shown above. The description of that Akitio one, "USB-C to Thunderbolt", is completely nonsensical.

 

[poorcody]

I'm counting on it myself... I assume Apple will release a Thunderbolt-3/USB-C to Thunderbolt-1 adapter. If not, this one from StarTech:

https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-Thunderbolt-Adapter-Windows-USB-C/dp/B019FPJDQ2

is being used by people (see comments) to connect to an Apple Thunderbolt Display from Windows laptops. So it's hard to believe it wouldn't work with a Mac...

 

[pshifrin]

To use the TB display with a MacBook in clamshell mode, doesn't the MagSafe have to to be connected as well? How would that work, even with a TB3->TB1 adapter?

 

[poorcody]

To use the TB display with a MacBook in clamshell mode, doesn't the MagSafe have to to be connected as well? How would that work, even with a TB3->TB1 adapter?

The MagSafe only supplies power to the laptop. If you disconnect it, the display still works (it is plugged directly into an outlet). People use the Thunderbolt Display with Windows laptops.

 

[JTToft]

To use the TB display with a MacBook in clamshell mode, doesn't the MagSafe have to to be connected as well? How would that work, even with a TB3->TB1 adapter?

- Yes, power needs to be connected for clamshell mode. The new models either come with MagSafe, in which case you just plug that in, or it comes with a USB-C charger and multiple USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 ports, in which case you plug that into a different port from the monitor cable.