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Che Castro

macrumors 603
Original poster
May 21, 2009
6,078
838
just like the studio thread but the old Thunderbolt Display

I know you can use the thunderbolt port on the monitor for the second Mac , but you need to to shut down the first Mac for the second one to work , I want to be able to switch between both Mac minis without turning one off or unplugging the cable in the back

is there an adapter for this ? one that doesn't cost hundreds
 
They did exist, but did cost (many) hundreds, and are long gone...
You would need an Apple TB3 to TB2 adapter and TB2 cable as well.
 
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You might find one on eBay... search "thunderbolt kvm"
Would something like this work


Connect the Apple Thunderbolt Display to the Apple Thunderbolt adapter , connect the adapter male cable to the monitor out port of this

The 2 other pc1 pc2 cables go to the Mac’s

Then I can just connect my wired keyboard and mouse to the back of the thunderbolt displays usb ports
And it should work on both Mac’s when I switch
 
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No. The Apple Thunderbolt display only works with a Thunderbolt Mac.
TB3 uses the same USB-C connector but the signal isn't in the same format as USB 3.

That device says 'Thunderbolt compatible' because it will work with a USB-C non-TB monitor when used with a TB3/4/5 Mac.
The Apple Thunderbolt display is not a USB-C (non-TB) monitor.
 
No. The Apple Thunderbolt display only works with a Thunderbolt Mac.
TB3 uses the same USB-C connector but the signal isn't in the same format as USB 3.

That device says 'Thunderbolt compatible' because it will work with a USB-C non-TB monitor when used with a TB3/4/5 Mac.
The Apple Thunderbolt display is not a USB-C (non-TB) monitor.
So the only way is an old thunderbolt 2 kvm switch ?

Not Thunderbolt 3/4/5
 
Yes, a TB 3/4/5 KVM might work (with the right adapters) but one that is 'TB compatible USB-C 10Gbps', like the one in your link, won't.
 
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