Adapter for older 27" LED Cinema Displays and MBP M4

[occamsrazor]

Hi,

I have a 2024 MacBook Pro (M4 Pro) that I would like to connect to 1, ideally 2, older 27" LED Cinema Displays that have mini-displayport cables.
I imagine the best way would be using a full Thunderbolt 3/4/5 dock, but I don't really want to spend that much money.
Is there some kind of cheaper USB-C adapter/dock/hub that can do this? I believe I could just use 2 x USB-C to mini-displayport adapters (would that work??) but that would take up two of the laptop's USB ports which I'd rather not.
Oh, and if possible to have an ethernet port and a couple of USB-A ports that would be a plus, but is not essential.

Any suggestions? Thank you.

 

[Bigwaff]

Just did this myself using the following...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0836HGBD7

and

UGREEN USB C to USB 3.1 Gen 1 Adapter Type C OTG Cable USB C Male to USB Female Adapter USB A to USB C Charger Cable Compatible with MacBook Pro MacBook Air/Mini iPad Pro iPhone 13 Pro Samsung Galaxy

Type C OTG(On the Go) Adapter UGREEN Reversible USB Type-C to USB 3.0 Type A Female Sync Cable allows you to connect your flash drive, keyboard, mouse, or other standard USB-A device to a USB-C enabled device, like latest Apple New MacBook 12, Samsung S8, Google Nexus 5X 6P, Oneplus 3, LG V20 G5...

www.amazon.com

Docks with mini-DisplayPort are rare.. perhaps something like this?

Tripp Lite USB 3.1 Gen 1 USB-C Docking Station w/ USB-A, HDMI, VGA, mDP, Gigabit Ethernet, Mem Card, 3.5mm & USB-C PD Charging, USB C, USB Type C, USB Type-C (U442-DOCK1)

The U442-DOCK1 USB 3.1 Gen 1 USB-C Docking Station turns your computer, laptop or tablet into a versatile workstation. By connecting its built-in cable to your device's USB-C port, you'll be able to add an external display, access Gigabit Ethernet networks, transfer data, display video and more. ...

www.amazon.com

 

[occamsrazor]

Interesting, thanks.... Since I posted I found this:

OWC Thunderbolt Dual DisplayPort Adapter for 4K, 5K, and 8K Displays

Connect up to two 8K displays through just one Thunderbolt port. Experience higher resolutions, faster refresh rates, and multichannel audio formats.

eshop.macsales.com

...and am thinking to combine it with two of these:

CableDeconn Mini DP to DisplayPort 8K Converter - 8K@60Hz, 4K@144Hz Bi-Directional Transmission Adapter

This CableDeconn Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort 8K bi-directional converter, this converter is widely used both from Mini DisplayPort (DP Alternate Mode Support) laptops to your display port displays and from DisplyPort computers to your Mini DisplayPort displays (if you connect to your Mini DP ...

www.amazon.co.uk

which in theory should work and only use 1 port on the Macbook.

 

[joevt]

Interesting, thanks.... Since I posted I found this:

OWC Thunderbolt Dual DisplayPort Adapter for 4K, 5K, and 8K Displays

Connect up to two 8K displays through just one Thunderbolt port. Experience higher resolutions, faster refresh rates, and multichannel audio formats.

eshop.macsales.com

...and am thinking to combine it with two of these:

CableDeconn Mini DP to DisplayPort 8K Converter - 8K@60Hz, 4K@144Hz Bi-Directional Transmission Adapter

This CableDeconn Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort 8K bi-directional converter, this converter is widely used both from Mini DisplayPort (DP Alternate Mode Support) laptops to your display port displays and from DisplyPort computers to your Mini DisplayPort displays (if you connect to your Mini DP ...

www.amazon.co.uk

which in theory should work and only use 1 port on the Macbook.

But you're missing ports to connect the USB of the displays (for the downstream USB ports of the display, maybe brightness control?; I think audio uses DisplayPort instead of USB?).
A Thunderbolt 4/5 hub would probably be better since they include USB ports.

 

[occamsrazor]

But you're missing ports to connect the USB of the displays (for the downstream USB ports of the display, maybe brightness control?; I think audio uses DisplayPort instead of USB?).
A Thunderbolt 4/5 hub would probably be better since they include USB ports.

Yes that is true. And a TB dock would solve that issue. But I can connect USB-A using a hub I already have. I just find TB docks are very expensive.

 

[salamanderjuice]

If you want two displays in one port you need Thunderbolt. MacOS doesn't support MST so all the cheaper USB C two display options will only allow both monitors to be mirrored and show the same content.

 

[joevt]

If you want two displays in one port you need Thunderbolt. MacOS doesn't support MST so all the cheaper USB C two display options will only allow both monitors to be mirrored and show the same content.

He linked a OWC Thunderbolt Dual DisplayPort Adapter in https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...ema-displays-and-mbp-m4.2455392/post-33861778 which is Thunderbolt and is not MST. The price is between a USB-C MST hub and a Thunderbolt hub.

 

[occamsrazor]

I just bought the OWC dual TB adapter for a great price used off Amazon, will report back if it all works, thank you.