2010 Cinema Display adaptor

[Dave2022]

Hi everyone,

I will be upgrading my 2009 Macbook pro this year likely to the 14" M1 model as many of you have suggested. I purchased a 27" Cinema display in 2010 which still works. Is there a third party adaptor that will make it work with the current Macbook Pros? Any loss in features with the adaptors?

Thank you

 

[scouser75]

Dave I'm glad you asked this as I was only a few minutes ago thinking I want to book up my m1 to my 2009 cinema display.

Please let me know if you very an answer.

 

[TinyMito]

Connecting old Apple Cinema Display to ne… - Apple Community

discussions.apple.com

 

[scouser75]

Thank you TinyMito. I have a Cinema Display but no idea if it's a thunderbolt 2 or mini display port. How can I tell? Right now the monitor doesn't come on as m Mac Pro has died 😢

 

[Chucks4me]

You only need the Apple thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter. The adapter works bi-directional.
It will work with both displays, Cinema and Thunderbolt.

 

[scouser75]

You only need the Apple thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter. The adapter works bi-directional.
It will work with both displays, Cinema and Thunderbolt.

Thank you. So it doesn't matter even if I have a Mini display port?

 

[Chucks4me]

Correct, mini display port works on Thunderbolt. But Thunderbolt Display does not work on mini display port.

 

[scouser75]

Which year monitors came with thunder bolt?

 

[chrfr]

You only need the Apple thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter. The adapter works bi-directional.
It will work with both displays, Cinema and Thunderbolt.

The Thunderbolt adapter ONLY works with the Thunderbolt display. The adapter does not pass DisplayPort video.
From Apple's support page for the adapter:
"This adapter is not compatible with displays that use DisplayPort or Mini DisplayPort, such as the Apple LED Cinema Display. Thunderbolt and Thunderbolt 2 are not the same as Mini DisplayPort

, though the ports have the same shape."

 

[scouser75]

I am so confused. How can I tell which connection I have? I bought the display in 2009, if that helps?

 

[chrfr]

I am so confused. How can I tell which connection I have? I bought the display in 2009, if that helps?

The Thunderbolt Display was released in 2011, and you can identify it by seeing the Thunderbolt icon on the connector. The Thunderbolt Display also has Firewire, Thunderbolt, and ethernet built in, while the Cinema Display has only USB ports on the back. See here: https://computers.tutsplus.com/tuto...olt-display-explored-and-explained--mac-57928
The Cinema Display cannot use the Apple Thunderbolt 2 to 3 adapter.

 

[Chucks4me]

The Thunderbolt Display was released in 2011, and you can identify it by seeing the Thunderbolt icon on the connector. The Thunderbolt Display also has Firewire, Thunderbolt, and ethernet built in, while the Cinema Display has only USB ports on the back. See here: https://computers.tutsplus.com/tuto...olt-display-explored-and-explained--mac-57928
The Cinema Display cannot use the Apple Thunderbolt 2 to 3 adapter.

That might be correct I thought I had this working in the past, but might have used other adapters.

The monitors you can identify on the cables and on the back.
Thunderbolt Display has besides the power cord only 2 connectors, Thunderbolt and MagSafe.
The Cinema Display has 3 connectors, Display Port, USB and MagSafe.

 

[chrfr]

That might be correct I thought I had this working in the past, but might have used other adapters.

You'd have definitely used other adapters as the Apple Thunderbolt adapter is only Thunderbolt, not DisplayPort.

 

[scouser75]

This is the back of my monitor and from what I can tell from your advice, it's a Cinema Display which requires this connector https://www.amazon.co.uk/Displaypor...b+c+to+mini+displayport+adapter,aps,66&sr=8-6

 

[daneoni]

You will also need to download the MonitorControl app to ensure you get full brightness.

 

[scouser75]

Thanks daneoni. I'm guessing I get this from the Mac App Store?

PS the adaptor I link is correct, right?

 

[daneoni]

Thanks daneoni. I'm guessing I get this from the Mac App Store?

PS the adaptor I link is correct, right?

Yes that should work but most people swear by this adapter which is pricier and ships from the US.

But the one you linked is similar to what i use which i bought from Oz back in 2019

As for the app the latest release is can be found here

Once downloaded, ensure your settings are as shown below

 

[scouser75]

Thank you. I didn't think I'd be able to get the USA version you linked me. But what are the differences between the 2? They look identical in terms of performance and what they do.

 

[daneoni]

Thank you. I didn't think I'd be able to get the USA version you linked me. But what are the differences between the 2? They look identical in terms of performance and what they do.

You can get it from their website cheaper actually although not sure about shipping cost.

The difference is that this allows power pass through so you can charge your laptop at the same time.

 

[scouser75]

My only issue with that would be, this would over power our laptops. I believe from a recent discussion that w shouldn't really power over 80%. If this adaptor charges the laptop whilst connected to a monitor, I'll have 100% laptop charge all the time.

 

[daneoni]

iOS and MacOS smartly handle charging cycles fine once they learn your habit, I wouldn't worry to much.

But the choice is yours.

 

[scouser75]

In which case, you're recommendation it is. Thank you for the help and info.

 

[scouser75]

That might be correct I thought I had this working in the past, but might have used other adapters.

The monitors you can identify on the cables and on the back.
Thunderbolt Display has besides the power cord only 2 connectors, Thunderbolt and MagSafe.
The Cinema Display has 3 connectors, Display Port, USB and MagSafe.

That might be correct I thought I had this working in the past, but might have used other adapters.

The monitors you can identify on the cables and on the back.
Thunderbolt Display has besides the power cord only 2 connectors, Thunderbolt and MagSafe.
The Cinema Display has 3 connectors, Display Port, USB and MagSafe.

Yes that should work but most people swear by this adapter which is pricier and ships from the US.

But the one you linked is similar to what i use which i bought from Oz back in 2019

As for the app the latest release is can be found here

Once downloaded, ensure your settings are as shown below

View attachment 2159183

I was just about to order this and re-read the last few posts just in case I ordered the wrong connector. You guys mentioned "display port" is what I have and need, but the links for the adaptors state "mini-display port".

Just for clarity, this is the port that runs from the monitor. This is a mini display port, right?

 

[scouser75]

The Uptab connector - for pass through, it looks like you still need to have a separate cable from the Uptab to the MBP. So would this be the same as simply plugging in the MagSafe cable? Albeit a thinner connection?

 

[daneoni]

mini-display port is what you need