Macbook Pro (2015 + AMD Radeon model) connect with USB-C Monitors

[rwzdoorn]

Hi all,

After using my Apple Cinema Display "30 for years, I'm in the market for a new USB-C monitor (looking at 4K displays). As my Macbook pro has a external Radeon GFX card It supports 4/5K displays. How do I connect a USB-C monitor with a thunderbolt 2 connection ?
Thanks in advance!

 

[robvas]

You can connect a Thunderbolt 3 monitor using the Apple TB3 to TB2 adapter (it works both ways)

What's weird is the Apple support site says you can use the LG 5K monitor (in 4K mode) with some older Macs using the adapter, but it says the LG 4K isn't compatible.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT207448

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT207447


3840 x 2160 @ 60Hz
With the Apple Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter and a Thunderbolt cable, you can use the LG UltraFine 5K Display at 4K and lower resolutions with these Mac models:

• Mac Pro (Late 2013)
  macOS 10.12.4 or later is recommended.
• MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2014) and later
• MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Mid 2014) and later
• iMac (Retina, 27-inch, Late 2014) and later
• iMac (Retina, 21.5-inch, Late 2015)
• iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2015)
• MacBook Air (13-inch, Early 2015)
• MacBook Air (11-inch, Early 2015)

 

[rwzdoorn]

Hi Robvas,

Thanks for the list, but I have a MBP 2015 (mid 2015 model, which supports 5K even). Also, i'm looking for something else then these monitors.

Is it even possible to use a USB-C monitor with a thunderbolt 2 macbook pro? Does it send data still so I can attach USB ports to it?

 

[JTToft]

You can connect a Thunderbolt 3 monitor using the Apple TB3 to TB2 adapter (it works both ways)

What's weird is the Apple support site says you can use the LG 5K monitor (in 4K mode) with some older Macs using the adapter, but it says the LG 4K isn't compatible.

- It's not weird. It's a Thunderbolt adaptor. It works with Thunderbolt devices. The 4K UltraFine is not a Thunderbolt device but a USB-C device, so it doesn't work.

Hi Robvas,

Thanks for the list, but I have a MBP 2015 (mid 2015 model, which supports 5K even). Also, i'm looking for something else then these monitors.

Is it even possible to use a USB-C monitor with a thunderbolt 2 macbook pro? Does it send data still so I can attach USB ports to it?

- Every USB-C monitor (that I know of) that isn't an LG UltraFine also has DisplayPort inputs, so there is no need for you to use the monitor's USB-C input.