Connecting early 2015 Macbook Air to brand spanking new monitor.

[riqqityraq]

Hi all.

First time posting anything like this, and I'm so desperate for help so please go easy on my limited knowledge.

I have an Early 2015 Macbook air (2 x USB 3 ports, 1 x Thunderbolt 2 port) running on Catalina 10.15 and a brand new ASUS PA279CV 27" monitor. I purchased this under the impression that the my ports weren't outdated tech (lol!) and would really love to keep the screen - but it seems I might be up a particular creek without a paddle in finding a way to connect.

New monitor has as follows: "ProArt Display PA279CV gives you unparalleled compatibility with USB-C, HDMI and DisplayPort most multimedia devices. The integrated USB-C port supports data transfers, DisplayPort and also support 65W power delivery. PA279CV also serves as a USB hub, meaning that when you connect to it via USB-C (using C to C cable, or C to A cable), your device gains access to whatever peripherals are connected to the USB ports."

I just need to know if there is something that exists on the market that will make these two things work with each other (preferably without costing an arm and a leg)

Please's, thank you's and the promise of the soul of my first born if there's a simple solution - I'm exhausted from trying to figure this out!

 

[usagora]

So what is the issue? Are you saying (1) you're not able to get your MacBook Air to display an image on the external monitor? Or are you saying (2) you are unable to get the USB ports on the external monitor to work? Or are you saying both?

If (1), then are you using this adapter (or one like it) with an HDMI cable?

Amazon Basics Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter, White

Amazon Basics Mini DisplayPort Thunderbolt to HDMI Adapter - Compatible with Apple iMac, MacBook - 1 Adapter

www.amazon.com

If (2), then are you using a cable like this?

Amazon Basics USB Type-C to USB-A 2.0 Male Charger Cable, 3 Feet (0.9 Meters), White

Amazon Basics USB Type-C to USB-A 2.0 Male Charger Cable, 3 Feet (0.9 Meters), White

www.amazon.com

 

[riqqityraq]

So what is the issue? Are you saying (1) you're not able to get your MacBook Air to display an image on the external monitor? Or are you saying (2) you are unable to get the USB ports on the external monitor to work? Or are you saying both?

If (1), then are you using this adapter (or one like it) with an HDMI cable?

Amazon Basics Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter, White

Amazon Basics Mini DisplayPort Thunderbolt to HDMI Adapter - Compatible with Apple iMac, MacBook - 1 Adapter

www.amazon.com

If (2), then are you using a cable like this?

Amazon Basics USB Type-C to USB-A 2.0 Male Charger Cable, 3 Feet (0.9 Meters), White

Amazon Basics USB Type-C to USB-A 2.0 Male Charger Cable, 3 Feet (0.9 Meters), White

www.amazon.com

Thank you so much for your reply.

The issue is that I currently have nothing in my possession to connect the two and I need to know what cable/adapter to buy to achieve the best connection.

1. I have been told won't work because it's a hdmi to display port (I do not have a displayport on my mac)
2. Won't work as it's USB to thunderbolt 3/4 and I only have 2 on my Macbook Air.

If you have any other ideas it would be much appreciated ☺️

 

[usagora]

Thank you so much for your reply.

The issue is that I currently have nothing in my possession to connect the two and I need to know what cable/adapter to buy to achieve the best connection.

1. I have been told won't work because it's a hdmi to display port (I do not have a displayport on my mac)
2. Won't work as it's USB to thunderbolt 3/4 and I only have 2 on my Macbook Air.

If you have any other ideas it would be much appreciated ☺️

1. I used that exact same adapter to connect my mid-2012 MacBook Air (had a Thunderbolt 1 port) to external monitors, projectors, and TVs, so I don't know why people are telling you it won't work. Here is what everymac.com says about the Thunderbolt port:

Thunderbolt is backwards-compatible with Mini DisplayPort-equipped displays as well as adapters that are compatible with Mini DisplayPort (DVI, VGA, dual-link DVI and HDMI). It also can support other peripherals that use the Thunderbolt standard, which provides a maximum theoretical 10 Gbps of bandwidth in both directions.

MacBook Air "Core i5" 1.8 13" (Mid-2012) Specs (Mid-2012, MD231LL/A, MacBookAir5,2, A1466, 2559): EveryMac.com

Technical specifications for the MacBook Air "Core i5" 1.8 13" (Mid-2012). Dates sold, processor type, memory info, hard drive details, price and more.

everymac.com

2. Actually, I had in mind you connect the USB-A end to your MacBook and the USB-C end to the external monitor in order to be able to take advantage of the extra USB ports on the monitor. I can't claim personal experience with this, though.

 

[riqqityraq]

I will take you at your experience, just placed an order for the first option.

Thank you so much for your help - can't tell you how much I appreciate it.

 

[joelewisdesign]

Hi riqqityraq,

Did solution 1, above, work for you?

I have a 2015 MacBook Pro with HDMI port and have been trying to connect via an HDMI to DisplayPort cable but no joy. HDMI to HDMI works but my wife says I can't have her cable! ;-D

Cheers.

 

[timinlondon]

I have a 2015 MacBook Air connected to a Dell 27" screen. I need a Minidisplayport connector to go into the Thunderbolt socket, with Displayport at the other end to go into the screen. I haven't found any other combination that gives full resolution on the screen. I also connect the USB connection on the screen to one of the USB outputs on the computer, so it acts as a USB hub in effect (the screen has two USB connections on the side).