MBP Mini DisplayPort to Thunderbolt Display via adapter

[perryazevedo]

I'm going to be upgrading to a Retina MacBook Pro within a few months and until then, will continue to use my mid-2009, 15" MacBook Pro. I bought a brand new, 27" Thunderbolt display as the Apple Store employee ensured me I could use the display with my non-Thunderbolt MBP.

Of course, upon unboxing the display and plugging it up, nothing happened. Most Google searches return forums saying it can't be done.

However, I called Apple Technical Support and they said differently. They said that although the Thunderbolt display doesn't officially support MacBook Pros that only have Mini DisplayPorts, you can use the Thunderbolt Display as just a monitor (no hub or camera use) with the use of an adapter.

However, when asked "what adapter" they said I would need to figure that out on my own.

Has ANYONE had success with this yet? Is there an adapter that will make this work?

 

[DanGallagher]

Did you get an answer to this? I'm curious as well.

 

[ActionableMango]

I've researched this before as have many others and none of us have ever found anything. I believe that tech is wrong.

One big clue is that the Thunderbolt ACD is not compatible with any Mac Pro. If an MDP to Thunderbolt adapter were available, it would be compatible with all Mac Pros.

 

[theluggage]

I've researched this before as have many others and none of us have ever found anything. I believe that tech is wrong.

Just speculation, but (looking at the iFixit teardown) I believe the LCD panel inside the TBD is actually driven directly by a DisplayPort connection from the main logic board. So if you cracked it open you could possibly hook your Mac MDP directly to the panel with a suitable adapter, bypassing the Thunderbolt stuff.

...which might explain why the tech wasn't handing out suggestions.

 

[AcesHigh87]

From Apple's FAQ regarding the Thunderbolt Display:

12. What are the system requirements for using my Apple Thunderbolt Display in OS X?

• A Thunderbolt-capable Mac (listed in question 3).
• The latest software and firmware updates for Thunderbolt-capable computers listed in question 4.
• Mac OS X v10.6.8 Snow Leopard or later.

From this I would have to assume it's not possible. If such an adapter existed it would at least be mentioned. If apple made one they would surely link it.

 

[g4cube]

It's not possible. You cannot connect an unmodified ATD to a Mac that doesn't have a Thunderbolt port, and there is no low-cost adapter available that will change it.

Go back to that Apple Store and confront that "genius".