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bitfidelity

macrumors member
Original poster
Jul 2, 2012
75
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Are there any issues with running the MacBook Pro Retina with the Thunderbolt display? How hot does the notebook get, and how often do the fans pick up? Also, should I expect better performance out of the MacBook since the resolution of the Thunderbolt display is lower than the Retina?
 
Are there any issues with running the MacBook Pro Retina with the Thunderbolt display? How hot does the notebook get, and how often do the fans pick up? Also, should I expect better performance out of the MacBook since the resolution of the Thunderbolt display is lower than the Retina?

I'm also curious to know this, if anyone has already worked with this combination. Thanks!
 
It doesn't work with the Thunderbolt display, which is part of the reason I sold the display. It also doesn't work with my 30" HP display, which might end up being part of the reason I will sell the RMBP. Can't wait years for Apple to figure this one out.
 
It doesn't work with the Thunderbolt display, which is part of the reason I sold the display. It also doesn't work with my 30" HP display, which might end up being part of the reason I will sell the RMBP. Can't wait years for Apple to figure this one out.
Mine works fine with a Thunderbolt display?

If it doesn't work with your HP, you might have a cable or adapter problem. Are you using mini-DP to DP or DVI?
 
It doesn't work with the Thunderbolt display, which is part of the reason I sold the display. It also doesn't work with my 30" HP display, which might end up being part of the reason I will sell the RMBP. Can't wait years for Apple to figure this one out.

You're either making this up as you go along, or very computer-illiterate. The MBPr works just fine with the Thunderbolt display, and recall that we saw it working over Thunderbolt with two 27" iMacs (which are essentially the same thing in Target Display Mode) alongside another display over HDMI. Your 30" HP display probably needs a dual-link DVI adaptor, which should have been something you could have found out with 30 seconds of research, but of course you probably don't actually have a MBPr, anyways.

jW
 
Mine works fine with a Thunderbolt display?

If it doesn't work with your HP, you might have a cable or adapter problem. Are you using mini-DP to DP or DVI?

Yes, but the cable worked just fine with my Air. (Of course the Airs display didn't go to sleep in clamshell mode but that is a separate software issue that is well known that Apple has failed to fix since 7 months.)
 
With the laptop closed and a Thunderbolt display connected, it should behave almost exactly the same as a non-retina MBP in the same situation.

The only real difference is the different cooling system, hopefully someone who has used one in clamshell mode for extended periods can chime in.
 
You're either making this up as you go along, or very computer-illiterate. The MBPr works just fine with the Thunderbolt display, and recall that we saw it working over Thunderbolt with two 27" iMacs (which are essentially the same thing in Target Display Mode) alongside another display over HDMI. Your 30" HP display probably needs a dual-link DVI adaptor, which should have been something you could have found out with 30 seconds of research, but of course you probably don't actually have a MBPr, anyways.

jW

And you are making too many false assumptions lol. What is your problem, troll?

I've been using dual link dvi cables for 5 years and never had the problem I'm having with the RMBP. It simply doesn't come on in clamshell mode, I'm only able to use it with the pros display open.
 
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And you are making too many false assumptions lol. What is your problem, troll?

I've been using dual link dvi cables for 5 years and never had the problem I'm having with the RMBP. It simply doesn't come on in clamshell mode, I'm only able to use it with the pros display open.

Did you have it plugged in to power? If so it sounds like it's just a bug.
 
Are there any issues with running the MacBook Pro Retina with the Thunderbolt display? How hot does the notebook get, and how often do the fans pick up? Also, should I expect better performance out of the MacBook since the resolution of the Thunderbolt display is lower than the Retina?

https://www.macrumors.com/2012/06/2...n-run-three-external-displays-simultaneously/

NewImage24.png


This is what the rMBP is capable of.
 
Are there any issues with running the MacBook Pro Retina with the Thunderbolt display? How hot does the notebook get, and how often do the fans pick up? Also, should I expect better performance out of the MacBook since the resolution of the Thunderbolt display is lower than the Retina?

I've had my rMBP for a week. After playing with the retina display, I hooked it up my 27" Thunderbolt display and have been running it in clamshell mode without issues. Note that the TD is running at max resolution of 2560 x 1440.

The rMBP stays very cool and there's no sound from the fans. I don't game and the most demand I place on the system is Photoshop and Lightroom so YMMV. My only complaint is the less than perfect scrolling due to GPU constraints. Hopefully, this will be improved in Mtn Lion.

On a separate note, I run Win 7 in bootcamp for some legacy programs and running the retina display at 2880 x 1800 is a hoot. dave
 
I've had my rMBP for a week. After playing with the retina display, I hooked it up my 27" Thunderbolt display and have been running it in clamshell mode without issues. Note that the TD is running at max resolution of 2560 x 1440.

The rMBP stays very cool and there's no sound from the fans. I don't game and the most demand I place on the system is Photoshop and Lightroom so YMMV. My only complaint is the less than perfect scrolling due to GPU constraints. Hopefully, this will be improved in Mtn Lion.

On a separate note, I run Win 7 in bootcamp for some legacy programs and running the retina display at 2880 x 1440 is a hoot. Can't do this in Mac mode. dave

does it bother you switching/looking at the 2 different displays? like is there a signifcant difference in clarity
 
does it bother you switching/looking at the 2 different displays? like is there a signifcant difference in clarity

Yeah the difference is very noticeable if you are close to the 27 monitor then look at the retina display. However from afar it's reasonable. There is also a bit of difference in the contrast. The retina is slightly better then my Samsung sa850 and that is also noticeable. However the contrast on my MBA was pathetic compared to the Samsung so I'm used it to.
 
Do you know what cables were used in this setup?

I'm using the standard Apple MDP/TB-Dual-link-DVI adapter. It has worked fine with two older Macbook Pros and the two last generations of Macbook Airs. It doesn't work at all with the RMBP.

The thunderbolt displays were connecting using the thunderbolt cable on the displays themselves. Each was connected to a different port. The third was connected via the HDMI port.
 
It doesn't work with the Thunderbolt display, which is part of the reason I sold the display. It also doesn't work with my 30" HP display, which might end up being part of the reason I will sell the RMBP. Can't wait years for Apple to figure this one out.

^^ This guy is obviously a troll.

It works fine with my Thunderbolt display, just as you'd expect!

However, I used to think the Thunderbolt Display had a sexy screen until I got my rMBP, now I see a huge difference.

Still love it though.
 
Thanks for the replies, all. But can someone confirm that things are actually smoother on the Thunderbolt Display? Meaning, none of the scroll lag that many are complaining about?
 
No clue why some people are having issues but I run dual 27" Thunderbolt displays all day everyday and it work perfect in clamshell mode.
 
^^ This guy is obviously a troll.

It works fine with my Thunderbolt display, just as you'd expect!

Thanks for being so polite! I bet you and the other guy are two of those people who say big things on the internets but in face-face contact are shy like a kitten. Aka trolls personified.

Anyway, why the hell do you think I would come here to make this stuff up? I have probably spent a factor of several more money on Apple products than you so have no reason to bash them just for the heck of it. The TB display and other displays aren't working with my RMBP. It might be a machine defect or a software issue having to do with my specific settings, yet you're claiming I'm somehow making s*** up? Go find a life, looser.

Back to topic, I imagine that the issue with the TB display was a hiccup, but am pretty sure at this point that the issue with the HP 30"er is something more serious, as I have re-tested the connection with two other laptops since yesterday. If anybody could be so kind to test a RMBP with Apple's MDP-DualDVI adapter and report back, I'd greatly appreciate it! Thanks to all of you who are being patient with me and are making constructive suggestions, instead of just online bashing me!
 
Haven't really used clamshell mode on my retina, but it does work. I just use my TD as a 2nd screen that I run my VM on while also running oter apps on the retina. It has been working great and the TD looks amazing, just not as amazing as the retina, but that isnt a problem.
 
Thanks for being so polite! I bet you and the other guy are two of those people who say big things on the internets but in face-face contact are shy like a kitten. Aka trolls personified.

Anyway, why the hell do you think I would come here to make this stuff up? I have probably spent a factor of several more money on Apple products than you so have no reason to bash them just for the heck of it. The TB display and other displays aren't working with my RMBP. It might be a machine defect or a software issue having to do with my specific settings, yet you're claiming I'm somehow making s*** up? Go find a life, looser.

Back to topic, I imagine that the issue with the TB display was a hiccup, but am pretty sure at this point that the issue with the HP 30"er is something more serious, as I have re-tested the connection with two other laptops since yesterday. If anybody could be so kind to test a RMBP with Apple's MDP-DualDVI adapter and report back, I'd greatly appreciate it! Thanks to all of you who are being patient with me and are making constructive suggestions, instead of just online bashing me!

No, I'd still look at you in disbelief and tell you that your comment was absolute BS in person, stating simply "It doesn't work", when someone innocently is asking if the TD display is compatible or not.

Maybe think twice about commenting on someone's question with your own unique technical issue.

Next time say "it should work, but I'm having issues". See the difference?

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Thanks for the replies, all. But can someone confirm that things are actually smoother on the Thunderbolt Display? Meaning, none of the scroll lag that many are complaining about?

The only time I see a hint of lag on my rMBP is on Facebook scrolling fast, I wonder if it's the way the site was programmed? But I could really careless about FB :)

To answer your question though, no I see no lag on the TB Display.
 
As has been previously posted in similar threads, the rMBP works flawlessly with the Thunderbolt display.
 
does it bother you switching/looking at the 2 different displays? like is there a signifcant difference in clarity

I'm running in clamshell mode so there's no switching between displays. dave

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Thanks for the replies, all. But can someone confirm that things are actually smoother on the Thunderbolt Display? Meaning, none of the scroll lag that many are complaining about?

Scrolling is tolerable but less than perfect on the TD in clamshell mode. dave
 
No it doesn't work. All those thunderbolt ports and the HDMI port are fake.

Classic bait and switch.

Be careful :eek:
 
No it doesn't work. All those thunderbolt ports and the HDMI port are fake.

Classic bait and switch.

Be careful :eek:

Wy would you say that? The thunderbolt and HDMI ports work flawlessly for me at least, except for when the tb port is used in conjunction with a usb port to drive an external monitor.
 
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