I just received my 2019 27" iMac and am a bit confused about how to get it set up. I have a BenQ Sw 2700 monitor with display port and HDMI outputs that I would like to use as an external monitor as well as a G-Raid thunderbolt drive that I want to attach. They are currently attached to my Mac Mini by using a display port to mini display port cable running into drive and a thunderbolt cable running from the drive to the computer. I'm wondering what the best way to hook tase both up to the new iMac? What do I need in the way of adapters? I also have a usb hub with a regular usb connector I would like to attach. Any advice on how to do this as cleanly as possible would be appreciated.
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New iMac need some help connecting external monitor and drive
- Thread starter vandrv
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https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204392
so, the usb hub plugs in as normal.
You''l want a USB C to DisplayPort Cable (or adaptor) for the monitor.
Thanks for that. That would certainly allow me to attach the monitor, but I'm wondering could I continue to have the monitor run into the raid drive with the cable I'm currently using and get a thunderbolt to usb C adapter to run into the computer, daisy chaining it as I am now?
Do not daisy chain the display.
Get a USBc (Mac end) to displayport or minidisplayport (display end, which size you buy depends on the display input).
Is the thunderbolt drive you have tbolt2 or tbolt3?
I apologize for not being as up on tbolt as I should be, but seems to me that if the drive is tbolt2 (or tbolt1), you'll need a tbolt3-to-tbolt2 adapater to connect it. (others please correct me if I'm wrong)
Existing USB hub can plug into the USBa port.
But be aware that if the hub you have IS NOT USB3, using it will slow everything down!
Get a USBc (Mac end) to displayport or minidisplayport (display end, which size you buy depends on the display input).
Is the thunderbolt drive you have tbolt2 or tbolt3?
I apologize for not being as up on tbolt as I should be, but seems to me that if the drive is tbolt2 (or tbolt1), you'll need a tbolt3-to-tbolt2 adapater to connect it. (others please correct me if I'm wrong)
Existing USB hub can plug into the USBa port.
But be aware that if the hub you have IS NOT USB3, using it will slow everything down!
The raid drive is the first generation of Thunderbolt, I believe. I’ve looked up adapters to be able to change the plug to thunderbolt 3 and they are available, but rather expensive, at least from Apple.
Why would you recommend not daisy chaining the monitor? If I don’t this would tie up both thunderbolt ports on the Mac.
I’m wondering if when all is said and done, would I be better off just buying a dock, such as the Caldigit and be done with it?
That's what you'll need if you want to keep using the G-RAID (assuming it doesn't have USB 3 as well).
All you should need is to add the TB3-to-1 adapter to your existing setup. There's no reason not to keep your display daisy-chained unless it gives you problems, and a 1440p display plus a Thunderbolt 1 hard drive shouldn't be a bandwidth issue. It's exactly what you're already doing with the Mac Mini anyhow.
You need the TB3-to-1 adapter anyway so suck it and see. If you do get problems then, yes, run a USB-C to DisplayPort adapter straight to your iMac - but if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Your old USB hub can go into any of the USB-A connectors or to the second TB3 port via a USB-A-to-C adapter. There's no speed/performance advantage either way - it just comes down to whether you prefer to use up a USB-A port or a TB3 port.
Only if you actually need more ports than the iMac has. Unfortunately, all of these docks are designed for MacBook users, so you're wasting money on extra ethernet ports amd 90W chargers, you're not getting that many extra USBs and you'll still need that $50 TB 3-to-1 cable to connect your G-RAID.
The thing to think about is whether you're likely to want to swap your G-RAID for something newer in the near future (again, not broke: don't fix - only super-fast SSDs or huge RAID arrays need more than 10Gbps TB1)
I can confirm that using an iMac 2019 27" with an Apple TB3>TB2 adapter connected to one of the iMac's TB3 ports, connected to a Caldigit TB2 dock, connected to a LaCie TB1 raid, with that connected via an Apple (dual channel) DVI-D adapter to an old Dell 30" monitor works.
I don't run it that way, but I tested that configuration and it worked. Arousing all that from sleep is problematic, as is running the Dell directly off the Caldigit dock. But after a minute or two it all arouses itself into action.
I don't think that running the monitor via the Apple adapter will work as I don't think the adapter transmits a DP signal. The dock has the vital function of turning the TB signal into DP.
The monitor works using an HDMI cable connected to the dock's HDMI port, but older versions of Mac OS are confused whether the monitor should be running in RGB or YUV mode, so I prefer the DVI-D mode.
Using a (Glyph) ThunderBolt 3 dock and a DisplayPort cable to the Dell also works fine (for my MacBook Pro).
I don't run it that way, but I tested that configuration and it worked. Arousing all that from sleep is problematic, as is running the Dell directly off the Caldigit dock. But after a minute or two it all arouses itself into action.
I don't think that running the monitor via the Apple adapter will work as I don't think the adapter transmits a DP signal. The dock has the vital function of turning the TB signal into DP.
The monitor works using an HDMI cable connected to the dock's HDMI port, but older versions of Mac OS are confused whether the monitor should be running in RGB or YUV mode, so I prefer the DVI-D mode.
Using a (Glyph) ThunderBolt 3 dock and a DisplayPort cable to the Dell also works fine (for my MacBook Pro).
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Thanks for the replies. I guess the first thing to do is get a TB3 to TB adapter and see what happens. It will either work or it won't and I can go from there. I don't really want to replace the G-Raid drive at this time since it does what it is supposed to do. And I really love my monitor. It is the best I have ever used for editing photos. From what little I've used the new iMac so far, I have to say I prefer the Benq. Perhaps I should have just upgraded to a new Mac Mini.
I just wanted to follow up. I received the thunderbolt 3 to thunderbolt cable this morning and plugged my G-Raid drive into my new iMac and the drive showed up and the daisy chained monitor works as well.
