Is there a Thunderbolt splitter

[pxc-connor]

Hi,

I have just been speaking to Customer Care, and they mentioned something about a thunderbolt splitter in which you connect using your Thunderbolt port, and then it has VGA and HDMI ports to plug your cables into, here's an image of my set up on connected to each of my displays:

MacBook Air and VGA Monitor:


MacBook Air and HDMI Monitor/TV:


Thanks.

 

[kemperman]

Mini Display port to VGA adapter and Mini Display port to HDMI adapter

Both available on the apple online store

 

[pxc-connor]

I already have a VGA and HDMI connector, the trouble is getting them to work with only 1 port.

 

[chabig]

I already have a VGA and HDMI connector, the trouble is getting them to work with only 1 port.

I don't understand. What do you mean "1 port"? Your MacBook Air has multiple ports--USB, audio, Thunderbolt, power, SD card. If you mean it has one Thunderbolt port, then yes, but you're only going to connect one display. What's the problem?

 

[pxc-connor]

I don't understand. What do you mean "1 port"? Your MacBook Air has multiple ports--USB, audio, Thunderbolt, power, SD card. If you mean it has one Thunderbolt port, then yes, but you're only going to connect one display. What's the problem?

1 Thunderbolt port, and the people at Apple said it was possible to get something such as that, but they could not tell me where.

I want to know if I can use two monitors at the same time.

 

[chabig]

Yes, you can run two displays. It's easiest if they are Thunderbolt displays, because you can just daisy chain them. If they are not Thunderbolt displays, then it's more complicated. I found these web pages that might be helpful:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1597826/
http://osxdaily.com/2011/08/13/use-two-or-three-external-displays-with-macbook-air-or-any-mac/

 

[djippy]

Never tried if this work with 2 ports at the same time, but here is a product with the connections you want: (you might need a dvi to vga adaptor over that if your monitor doesn't have a display port or dvi port.)

http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=104&cp_id=10428&cs_id=1042802&p_id=8119&seq=1&format=2

A thunderbolt dock would be another possible solution

http://www.belkin.com/us/p/P-F4U085/
https://www.elgato.com/fr/thunderbolt/thunderbolt-2-dock

 

[Dweez]

Quoted for truth.

Yes, you can run two displays. It's easiest if they are Thunderbolt displays, because you can just daisy chain them. If they are not Thunderbolt displays, then it's more complicated. I found these web pages that might be helpful:

 

[martinm0]

Never tried if this work with 2 ports at the same time, but here is a product with the connections you want: (you might need a dvi to vga adaptor over that if your monitor doesn't have a display port or dvi port.)

http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=104&cp_id=10428&cs_id=1042802&p_id=8119&seq=1&format=2

A thunderbolt dock would be another possible solution

http://www.belkin.com/us/p/P-F4U085/
https://www.elgato.com/fr/thunderbolt/thunderbolt-2-dock

I vote for the dock option. I picked up a Caldigit TS2 for grins and have been inexplicably enamored with it more than I expected.

 

[yangchewren]

I vote for the dock option. I picked up a Caldigit TS2 for grins and have been inexplicably enamored with it more than I expected.

This information is if you want to use a thunderbolt dock:

http://www.caldigit.com/thunderboltstation/faq.asp

HDMI FAQ 2

-----------------------------

To connect 2 X non-thunderbolt displays, you'll need a USB to HDMI/DP/VGA, which is essentially a very weak external GPU connectable through USB.

 

[martinm0]

This information is if you want to use a thunderbolt dock:

http://www.caldigit.com/thunderboltstation/faq.asp

HDMI FAQ 2

-----------------------------

To connect 2 X non-thunderbolt displays, you'll need a USB to HDMI/DP/VGA, which is essentially a very weak external GPU connectable through USB.

Good catch. I have an OWC Thunderbay IV attached to the TS2 dock, and with that setup I can drive three displays independently. I thought I had the OWC disconnected (it prevents booting into Bootcamp), but I must have connected it back to the dock.

Curious if I can get 4 displays running on my Late 2012 iMac 680MX. Might have to try that...

 

[MSastre]

https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/Thunderbolt/Dock/OWC/Thunderbolt2-Dock/

 

[elfxmilhouse]

The thunderbolt docks will still only drive one non-thunderbolt display. Two is not possible using one thunderbolt controller.

You will either need to daisy chain another thunderbolt dock or hard drive to drive a second non-thunderbolt display.

 

[joevt]

The thunderbolt docks will still only drive one non-thunderbolt display. Two is not possible using one thunderbolt controller.

You will either need to daisy chain another thunderbolt dock or hard drive to drive a second non-thunderbolt display.

There are Thunderbolt 3 to Dual DisplayPort or HDMI adapters that allows outputting to more than one display. They will behave as Thunderbolt displays. Some PC's may allow only one display to be output from Thunderbolt. I don't think any Macs have that limitation. A Thunderbolt 2 Mac will also require a Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter. A Mac running Sierra or later may need a tb3-enabler patch to work with the Thunderbolt 3 to Dual DisplayPort or HDMI adapters. The Dual DisplayPort adapter may allow two 4K@60 Hz displays but only for Thunderbolt 3 computers. A Thunderbolt 2 computer may support two 4K@30 Hz displays or two 2560x1600@60Hz displays.