LED Cinema Display in Thunderbolt chain

[hitekalex]

OK, so I have a 27" LED Cinema Display, connected to 2011 Mini via Thunderbolt port. I want to add second 27" display, which would be newer 27" Thunderbolt display.

Apple has stated that a Thunderbolt display won't light up daisy chained LED display, which is a major bummer. However, I have read that LED display can be connected to other Thunderbolt devices (such as drives) as long as it's the last device in the chain (see this MacWorld article).

So my setup would be: Mini ----- TB Display ----- TB Drive ---- LED Display.

Is anyone running this type of setup?

 

[thundersteele]

So my setup would be: Mini ----- TB Display ----- TB Drive ---- LED Display.

Is anyone running this type of setup?

I'm not running such a setup, but it should work. There seem to be two requirements for getting a TB and a non-TB screen to work:
- the non-TB display can't connect directly to the TB-display
- the non-TB display must be the last in the chain

So with the TB drive in between you should be fine.

 

[Aboo]

I just asked this same question about two days ago, and was in the same position as you are. I found out that the Lacie LBD thunderbolt drive was the cheapest solution to do what you want.

So my setup is 2011 mini thunderbolt out to 27" thunderbolt display, output to Lacie LBD, output to 27" cinema display. Just realize that in addition to the $500 thunderbolt drive, you will also need to buy the Apple thunderbolt cable, an additional $50. Good luck!

 

[hitekalex]

I just asked this same question about two days ago, and was in the same position as you are. I found out that the Lacie LBD thunderbolt drive was the cheapest solution to do what you want.

Yep, LaCie LBD drive is what I am considering. I am a little concerned with many people complaining about loud fan in LBD - I know this would drive me nuts. How do you find the noise level of this drive?

I am also considering just selling the LED display and getting 2nd Thunderbolt display to simplify things.

 

[Aboo]

Yep, LaCie LBD drive is what I am considering. I am a little concerned with many people complaining about loud fan in LBD - I know this would drive me nuts. How do you find the noise level of this drive?

I am also considering just selling the LED display and getting 2nd Thunderbolt display to simplify things.

Honestly I don't really hear the fans, I think the thunderbolt display's fans drowns the fans of the LBD! If you don't need the flexibility of the LED display (i.e needing the flexibility to work with both MDP and TB macs) then stick with the LED. If not, it will probably be cheaper for you to sell your ACD and get the ATD.

 

[Digitalclips]

OK, so I have a 27" LED Cinema Display, connected to 2011 Mini via Thunderbolt port. I want to add second 27" display, which would be newer 27" Thunderbolt display.

Apple has stated that a Thunderbolt display won't light up daisy chained LED display, which is a major bummer. However, I have read that LED display can be connected to other Thunderbolt devices (such as drives) as long as it's the last device in the chain (see this MacWorld article).

So my setup would be: Mini ----- TB Display ----- TB Drive ---- LED Display.

Is anyone running this type of setup?

Now June 2012 ... did it work? Aldo I wonder if there are cheaper TB devices such as a TB hub one could add simply as a method of gaining the LED on the end.

 

[theSeb]

Now June 2012 ... did it work? Aldo I wonder if there are cheaper TB devices such as a TB hub one could add simply as a method of gaining the LED on the end.

Yes, it does work with an ACD and other displays with an adaptor like mdp to dvi.

 

[odedia]

Allow me to resurrect this post from the past.
I have an iMac 5k, connected to WD thunderbolt duo drive, connected to ANOTHER WD thunderbolt duo drive, connected to an Apple LED cinema display.

Mostly it works fine, but I do get occasional graphical issues from time to time, as can be seen here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kCzgW6ouC4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnhGOYnmlKQ

Does anyone has these issues? Internal screen is fine so I don't think it's the GPU.

 

[zemberoni]

OK, so I have a 27" LED Cinema Display, connected to 2011 Mini via Thunderbolt port. I want to add second 27" display, which would be newer 27" Thunderbolt display.

Apple has stated that a Thunderbolt display won't light up daisy chained LED display, which is a major bummer. However, I have read that LED display can be connected to other Thunderbolt devices (such as drives) as long as it's the last device in the chain (see this MacWorld article).

So my setup would be: Mini ----- TB Display ----- TB Drive ---- LED Display.

Is anyone running this type of setup?

Here is my equipment:

• 27" LED Cinema Display
• 27" Thunderbolt Display
• 2013 11" MacBook Air (has single thunderbolt port)
• 2016 15" MacBook Pro with TouchBar (has 4 USB-C Thunderbolt 3 ports)
• Apple Thunderbolt cable
• Apple Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter
• LaCie eSATA Thunderbolt Hub (picked up on eBay for $60)

Happy to say that I can successfully daisy chain and use both screens plus laptop display for total of 3 independent (ie non-mirrored) for both/either MacBook Air and MacBook Pro.

2013 MacBook Air setup:
MacBook Air --> Thunderbolt Display (via all-in-one thunderbolt cable) --> LaCie eSATA Thunderbolt Hub (from Thunderbolt out in Thunderbolt display via Thunderbolt cable to first Thunderbolt port in hub) --> LED Cinema Display (from second Thunderbolt port in hub via all-in-one MiniDisplayPort cable)

2016 MacBook Pro with TouchBar setup:
MacBook Pro --> Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter --> Thunderbolt Display (via all-in-one thunderbolt cable) --> LaCie eSATA Thunderbolt Hub (from Thunderbolt out in Thunderbolt display via Thunderbolt cable to first Thunderbolt port in hub) --> LED Cinema Display (from second Thunderbolt port in hub via all-in-one MiniDisplayPort cable)