Thunderbolt Display Replacement - 2013 MacBook Pro

[tedwill]

Hello.

My Thunderbolt display died last week. I'm looking for a replacement monitor which operates in the same manner for my 2013 MacBook pro

1. Connects to the display port on the MacBook
2. Has retina or 4k display
3. Acts as a USB hub
4. Is capable of working with the 2018 (or beyond) MacBook when I am able to upgrade.

I know there are a few LG monitors out there and a Samsung, but I'm not sure of the connectivity and the ability to be upward compatible.

Any help is greatly appreciate.

Thanks!

-Ted

 

[maxgts]

Take a look at the LG 27UK850-W

 

[tedwill]

Take a look at the LG 27UK850-W

Thanks. Does it provide power to the 2013 MacBook Pro? What type of adapter would I need for it to connect if it doesn't connect directly?

 

[maxgts]

It does not provide power to the 2013 MBP. You'd need a thunderbolt 2 to displayport cable. For power you'd use the power adapter that came with your mac. Only thunderbolt displays provided a built in power cord for previous MBP. 2016-2018 MBP can do video and power thru a single usb-c connection.

 

[tedwill]

Thanks for the help. Would this cable work? https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matter...keywords="thunderbolt+2+to+displayport+cable"

 

[Fishrrman]

I could be wrong, but there are few if any 3rd party displays that use the "thunderbolt" connection paradigm.
If you buy a new 3rd party display, it will use displayport or HDMI to connect.

You will need:
Minidisplayport (Mac end) to Dislpayport (display end)
or
Minidisplayport (Mac end) to MiniDisplayport (display end)
or
Minidisplayport (Mac end) to HDMI (display end).

I'd get a display that has either displayport or minidisplayport inputs (some have both).

A good place to browse available IPS based displays:
IPS Monitor List: Best AHVA, PLS & IPS LCD Displays

Important:
The "thunderbolt" port on a MacBook Pro -IS ALSO- "the minidisplayport".
One connector -- TWO functions.
But make sure you get the correct connecting cable (see above).
Others, please correct me if I'm wrong here.

One last thing:
If you find a display that has a built-in USB hub, that's ok, but you'll have to use a USB cable from the MacBook to the display (the USB signals won't "go through" the displayport connection).
So... it might be easier to just disregard "the USB hub requirement", and get a standalone USB3 hub if that's what you need.

 

[wwooden]

This makes me sad the day my Thunderbolt display will die. I love the setup and interconnection it has with my 2012 cMBP. I have everything connected to the USB ports on the display and it's great to just connect the two cables to the MBP.

 

[campyguy]

Thanks for the help. Would this cable work? https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters-Mini-DisplayPort-Black/dp/B00C7RJQPY/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1541172193&sr=1-4-fkmr0&keywords="thunderbolt+2+to+displayport+cable"

No. I didn't look at the product. Use DP certified cables, StarTech and Accell Cables make DP certified cables - Cable Matters doesn't. I have purchased and tried Cable Matters cables - they're junk. Look up my posts here on this. Get a cable with 5.4GHz per channel. FYI, there's no such thing as a Thunderbolt 1/2 to DP cable - it's a DisplayPort cable.

 

[tedwill]

Thanks for everyone's advice. I finally got the LG monitor. I'm just using HDMI and it seems to be great. It gives me 4k at 24hz. Would a Thunderbolt 2 to Thunderbolt 3 (USB-c) give me 60hz at 4k? Is the late 2013 Macbook Pro with Retina capable of 4k at 60hz?

 

[matreya]

Would a Thunderbolt 2 to Thunderbolt 3 (USB-c) give me 60hz at 4k?

The Thunderbolt 2 to Thunderbolt 3 adapter doesn't carry any video signals, it's purely Thunderbolt only.

 

[tedwill]

The Thunderbolt 2 to Thunderbolt 3 adapter doesn't carry any video signals, it's purely Thunderbolt only.

Actually, what I'm trying to figure out, and have recently discovered this has been up for debate, can the 13 inch late 2013 MBP deliver a 4k 60hz signal to an external 4k monitor at all? It seems there has been confusion about this for some time.

 

[matreya]

From https://everymac.com/systems/apple/...i5-2.4-13-late-2013-retina-display-specs.html

"This model supports a simultaneous maximum resolution up to 2560x1600 on two external displays via Thunderbolt. Alternately, it can support a single display up to 2560x1600 via Thunderbolt and a single 1080p display at up to 60 Hz, 3840x2160 at 30 Hz, or 4096x2160 at 24 Hz via HDMI."

 

[tedwill]

From https://everymac.com/systems/apple/...i5-2.4-13-late-2013-retina-display-specs.html

"This model supports a simultaneous maximum resolution up to 2560x1600 on two external displays via Thunderbolt. Alternately, it can support a single display up to 2560x1600 via Thunderbolt and a single 1080p display at up to 60 Hz, 3840x2160 at 30 Hz, or 4096x2160 at 24 Hz via HDMI."

Thanks.

 

[Jaro65]

This makes me sad the day my Thunderbolt display will die. I love the setup and interconnection it has with my 2012 cMBP. I have everything connected to the USB ports on the display and it's great to just connect the two cables to the MBP.

Yes, I loved that setup as well. It is unfortunate Apple abandoned this level of integration and discontinued their display product line. However, I still use my original 27" Apple LED Cinema Display with my 2018 MBP, though it now requires a mini DisplayPort to USB-C adapter.