MBA 15 M2 with Thunderbolt Display

[Hallstar]

I am awaiting the arrival on my BTO MBA 15 M2 and am perusing/considering options for a larger monitor for desktop/clamshell-mode use.

My partner has a Thunderbolt Display for her Mac Mini (2012) and I really like the display - the quality for a 10+ year old device is everything you would expect from Apple.

I have found a clean example locally to me (in an original box, which seems to be a rarity in itself!) of which I am tempted to buy.

However, I can’t help but wonder how the display -and it’s 10+ year old technology- will fare when paired to a brand new MBA.

Please could I ask for thoughts and opinions of those that have a Thunderbolt Display paired to an M1/2 MacBook?

 

[KenSM]

I acquired a Thunderbolt display with a 2012 Mini from my son-in-law a couple of years ago; I use the display all the time for my Studio M1 and Intel 16” Macbook Pro, and it works very well. At 110 ppi the resolution obviously isn’t as high as my 27” Retina iMac, but for most purposes it doesn’t need to be. The colour is excellent and it seems to scale well, and I love the 27” size.
You will need the Apple TB2-to-TB3 adapter to connect its input plug to the ports on your new machine, but that’s all.
I can’t speak to how it performs with an M2 machine, but it also performs flawlessly with my wife’s M1 MBA.
I sometimes wonder if, when the time comes that it dies of old age, I might replace it with a Studio display (expensive) or some other 4K monitor, but for now I’m very glad to have it. If I have to think of a downside, it is physically heavier than the Studio display and it gets quite warm with extensive use, but if you’re happy with a resolution of 110 ppi it’s great.
And I nearly forgot – another upside is that I keep a keyboard permanently plugged in to the back of the display, which of course works with whichever machine you have it attached to.

 

[JPack]

No way. MacBook Air only has two ports - don't waste them on a relic.

Get yourself a modern display with IPS Black, something with at least USB-C with Power Delivery and a built-in hub. You're also getting ergonomic features like a height adjustable and swivel stand, something that the Apple display lacks.

Dell UltraSharp 27 Inch 4K USB-C Hub Computer Monitor - U2723QE | Dell USA

View the Dell UltraSharp 27 Inch 4K USB-C Hub Monitor (U2723QE), the world’s first 27 inch 4K monitor with IPS Black, or shop all Computer Monitors at Dell.com.

www.dell.com

 

[bill-p]

Please could I ask for thoughts and opinions of those that have a Thunderbolt Display paired to an M1/2 MacBook?

You will need a TB2 to USB-C adapter, and ideally one that also has USB-A because you'll need that as well to connect to the rest of the monitor controls... including speakers, webcam, and brightness controller.

Also the included MagSafe charger with the display won't be compatible so you'll need to supply its own power elsewhere. This can still be bundled together with the adapter mentioned above.

But once you have everything figured out, the display is actually not bad. I still use mine for work daily. There may be better displays out there now but those also cost more overall to purchase if you're looking for everything that the Thunderbolt display handles well, namely:

1. Brightness and audio control are integrated with your Mac keyboard
2. Built-in webcam/mic
3. Overall brightness up to 500 nits

Look around the market and it's actually quite rare to see anything that fits all of those criteria. I do in fact use all 3 daily... and especially the webcam/mic for Zoom/Teams calls too. It's still a very nice display after all these years.

 

[KenSM]

The MBA M2 is powered by its magsafe connector, which leaves two USB-C ports for whatever else you want when used in clamshell mode. When using my Thunderbolt display with my MBP 16" I have my Apple keyboard plugged into one of the three USB-A ports on the back of the display, and although I prefer the Apple magic mouse, I can use my wired mouse in one of the other ports on the back of the display. Its camera is nothing special – the M2 MBA is clearly better – but it's adequate for Zoom sessions, and the speakers are not bad, though for serious listening I use good headphones plugged into whichever computer I'm using. In terms of colour and brightness the 110 ppi display matches my 2015 Retina iMac except for the resolution. Obviously there are many options for monitors out there, and the age of the Thunderbolt display is against it, but in my situation it works.

 

[Hallstar]

Thanks all.

I took the plunge and picked up the TB display.

Going to order a genuine TB2-TB3 adaptor from eBay… just got to wait now for my MBA to arrive! (It’s currently held in Bahrain!)

Regard keyboard and mouse, I favour the Logitech MX Keys Mini and MX Master 3 mouse.

I have 3 of the KB and 2 of the mice - a set for my iMac (which will now be for my MBA/TBD), a set for my work laptop and a spare KB in my laptop bag for when I’m working away.

I prefer the feel of this kit over the Apple Magics, and having matching kit across my setups is better for me as I found it difficult to index myself to alternate keyboards, whereas now I can with reasonable fluidity, jump from one setup to the other.