Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Thunderbold 3/USB-C to mini-display port

You're using a third party monitor, why wouldn't you use a third party adapter?

FYI I believe displayport/minidisplayport is bidirectional so any dongle with a displayport *ought* to work with the monitor's minidisplayport input. Just need a basic minDP/DP cable.
 
Last edited:
Tech198 said:
Is this true, the only option is a docking station or third party adapter ?
Click to expand...

Are you asking if there's an Apple adapter available? Yeah, it's the USB-C to Thunderbolt-2 adapter, but it's overpriced and ugly. The adapter that they mentioned in that article appears to be the same one I have and I've successfully used it to drive a 30" Apple Cinema Display, which is very hard to drive and a lot of people had major problems finding the right combination of adapters to use the old timey 30" ACD.

Don't buy the Apple one, but be aware that not all USB-C to mini DisplayPort adapters will work on all monitors. The bigger ones like the 30" Apple Cinema that I mentioned are known to hit and miss with adapters, but the fancy hubs like the OWC Dock should drive them fine.
 
Tech198 said:
Is this true, the only option is a docking station or third party adapter ?
Click to expand...
The 2016, 2017, and 2018 models only have USB-C ports, if you need to drive anything that uses a different port, you have three choices
1. Buy a compatible peripheral, that doesn't make sense of course.
2. Buy a single dongle that provides you with he port you need.
3. Buy a docking station that allows you to have all the ports you need.

I went with options 3, and I have the Satechi dock, it gives me the mini-display port, SD card reader, and of course legacy USB ports.
 
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
maflynn said:
The 2016, 2017, and 2018 models only have USB-C ports, if you need to drive anything that uses a different port, you have three choices
Click to expand...

He was specifically asking about connecting to a display through a Mini DisplayPort adapter. Most multiadapter dongles don't include Mini DP and some of the Mini DP adapters will only drive smaller monitors.
 
smirking said:
He was specifically asking about connecting to a display through a Mini DisplayPort adapter. Most multiadapter dongles don't include Mini DP and some of the Mini DP adapters will only drive smaller monitors.
Click to expand...
Which is why I linked to Satechi ;). I too needed that connection and the Satechi has that and more. Why by a single dongle when in all likelihood you'll need ports that the MBP doesn't have.
 
maflynn said:
Which is why I linked to Satechi ;). I too needed that connection and the Satechi has that and more. Why by a single dongle when in all likelihood you'll need ports that the MBP doesn't have.
Click to expand...

Yeah, after I posted my reply, I realized you brought up the Satechi hub, which is a different one than I thought it was. That's a pretty beefy set of ports! Hubs with Mini DP were few and far in between when I was shopping.

What display are you driving through that hub?
 
maflynn said:
An old school LED Apple Cinema Display. The thing is great, its a tank and I love it.
Click to expand...

I had a 23" Aluminum ACD until I sold it yesterday. I still have a 30" one that's going up on eBay soon. My wife is going to be happy to get those two giant boxes out of the house at long last. I'm gonna miss that 30", but my LG 5K is a worthy replacement and doesn't generate nearly as much heat as the 30" beast, which is a quality of life improvement in the summer!
 
smirking said:
Are you asking if there's an Apple adapter available? Yeah, it's the USB-C to Thunderbolt-2 adapter, but it's overpriced and ugly.
Click to expand...
It's a Thunderbolt adapter, not Mini Displayport. It will only work with a Thunderbolt monitor.

I bought the Cable Matters USB-C to Mini DisplayPort cable for $17.99 on Amazon. Works great.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jerryk
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back