HELP! Can I connect a 13" Macbook Retina with a 20" Cinema Display?

[sap12690]

I want to hook up my macbook pro retina with a larger monitor so I can do some graphic design in my room, however I dont know if would be able to hook it up with a 20" Cinema Display? Ive looked it up and all the connectors from the Cinema Display are different then the ports on my Macbook Retina. Has anybody done this before? Any help would be apprecaited.... THANKS

 

[simsaladimbamba]

Yes, you use a MiniDisplayPort to DVI adapter.

Mini DisplayPort (MDP) / Thunderbolt

Mini DisplayPort is the current digital standard on all current Macs to transfer video to an external display or TV. It has been introduced in 10/2008 with the release of the Unibody MacBook and MacBook Pros and has gradually been adopted on all other Macs.
MDP is capable of transmitting video, and since 2010, audio too. MDP is a miniaturised version of DisplayPort. It is also license free and can support resolutions of up to 2560 x 1600, which Mini DVI and Micro DVI are not able to do.
Since 2011, all Macs come with a Thunderbolt port, which is meant for fast data transfer and also as means to connect to an external display device to mirror or extend the Mac's screen.

To learn more about Thunderbolt (TB) and its compatibility with Mini DisplayPort (MDP): Introducing Thunderbolt​

MDP adapters and cables can be bought online from:

Apple Online Store (or the physical Apple Store)

• MDP to VGA adapter
• MDP to DVI adapter
• MDP to Dual-Link-DVI adapter
• Moshi Mini DP to HDMI Adapter with Audio Support adapter

Monoprice

• Mini DisplayPort + USB to Dual-Link DVI adapter
• Mini DisplayPort to DVI adapter
• Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapter
• Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter
• Mini Displayport Male and USB Male/Toslink Audio to HDMI Female Converting adapter
• Mini Displayport Male and USB Male Audio to HDMI Female Converting adapter - *NOTE* Will only support 2 channel stereo. Will not support 5.1 Dolby Surround like the above adapter.

• Mini DisplayPort to Mini DisplayPort cables
• Mini DisplayPort to VGA cables
• Mini DisplayPort to DVI cables
• Mini DisplayPort to HDMI cables
• Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort cables

Also of interest: "What is "Mini DisplayPort"? Is it an industry-standard? How is it different from or better than Mini-DVI and Micro-DVI?"
​

 

[sap12690]

Thanks! The cinema display has 3 cables though, the USB, Firewire and DVI. With the adapter I can connect the DVI, and the USB. Where would I hook up the firewire cable?

 

[DeltaMac]

Thanks! The cinema display has 3 cables though, the USB, Firewire and DVI. With the adapter I can connect the DVI, and the USB. Where would I hook up the firewire cable?

You would need a thunderbolt to Firewire adapter, which would plug in to your second Thunderbolt port. And, you would also need a FW800 to FW400 adapter, unless you can find a Thunderbolt to FW400 adapter - I don't know if that particular combination exists in one go.
http://store.apple.com/us/product/MD464ZM/A/apple-thunderbolt-to-firewire-adapter?fnode=51

 

[sap12690]

Would I need one of those adapters for each thunderbolt or just one for the FireWire adapter? And what exactly does that small adapter do?

Thanks

 

[DeltaMac]

One adapter: ThunderBolt to DVI for the display video
Second adapter: Thunderbolt (your second Thunderbolt port) to Firewire adapter, probably with with another FW800 to FW400 adapter connected to that adapter - the Thunderbolt to Firewire gives your FW800, which is a square plug, then adapting to FW400, which is smaller, and sort-of oval to connect to the display, providing the Firewire for that port. That may not be simple, as you need a female FW400 for the cable on the display. Maybe you can choose to ignore the Firewire on the display, so if you need Firewire for one of your devices, you can just use the adapter from the Thunderbolt port.
This all depends on what devices you need to connect to the display, I suppose.