Studio Display ideal setup advice

[stuaxe]

Hi,

I’m trying to get to my ideal set up - which is:

1) An Apple Studio Display connected to my 14 inch MacBook Pro (powered through thunderbolt)
2) A USB C powered external Blu Ray player that I can just hook into my MacBook (best software, M1?)
3) My Nintendo Switch connected to the Studio Display (a CAC-1333 cable needed?)

I don’t want to keep unplugging my MacBook / plugging in my Nintendo Switch each time - so is there a simple (non-mains powered) adaptor or toggle switch that will let me swap inputs (while also allowing charging when having the MacBook as a source).

Also, the USB C blu ray - I need to find the best hardware / software solution (as there’s a lot of options for both). Needs to work with 14 inch M1 pro. 4k would be a great bonus (but I’ve heard hardware is a limiting factor).

 

[macsplusmacs]

I'm not sure this is possible.

You may want to separate your blue ray and Nintendo into their own media station.

And yes, at that price I really wish apple would include dual inputs so one could hook up something else to it...

 

[stuaxe]

I'm not sure this is possible.

You may want to separate your blue ray and Nintendo into their own media station.

And yes, at that price I really wish apple would include dual inputs so one could hook up something else to it...

Hmm, in that case do you know of any adapters that would just 'extend the Thunderbolt port'. i.e. a simple male-to-female cable. Just to make it so it can dangle down near the front so I don't have to reach around the back.

I'm 'also' thinking a USB-C 'magsafe' adaptor could also make swapping a bit easier (but don't know if there is a suitable thunderbolt version).

 

[macsplusmacs]

I am not sure about those. You may check some of the other TB docks in other threads. Those displays are the best 5K display on the market, but not built for anything more than a single mac.

 

[enricoclaudio]

Hmm, in that case do you know of any adapters that would just 'extend the Thunderbolt port'. i.e. a simple male-to-female cable. Just to make it so it can dangle down near the front so I don't have to reach around the back.

I'm 'also' thinking a USB-C 'magsafe' adaptor could also make swapping a bit easier (but don't know if there is a suitable thunderbolt version).

You can use a TB4 Dock in combination with a magnetic TB4 adapter. I have the Satechi TB4 Dock but is not cheap at $299, which BTW it's currently in stock at Best Buy.

[2Pack （1 Straight+1 Elbow）+ Extra 2 Plugs]USB C Magnetic Adapter,24 Pins Type C Support Thunderbolt 4,USB4.0, PD100W Charge,40Gb/s Data Transfer,8K Video Output Compatible with More USB C Devices

:[2 Pack(1 Straight+1 Elbow)+Extra 2 Plugs] 24 Pin Straight+ Elbow USB C Magnetic Adapter : DC 20V 100W ：40 Gb/s and 8K video output Package : 24 Pin Elbow USB C Magnetic Adapter*1PCS+24 Pin Straight USB C Magnetic Adapter*1PCS+ Extra Pulgs*2PCS 2016/2017/2018/2019/2020/2021 Ma...

www.amazon.com

 

[nicho]

Hmm, in that case do you know of any adapters that would just 'extend the Thunderbolt port'. i.e. a simple male-to-female cable. Just to make it so it can dangle down near the front so I don't have to reach around the back.

I would suggest doing it the other way around (putting a F-M cable from near your laptop into your switch) - much easier to find USB-C cables.

 

[satcomer]

For Blue-ray I still use OWC Blu Rray external you just have buy the right USB to Thunderbolt cable that fit your Mac! Mine is tens years old and still works!