Questions & Answers for Apple Thunderbolt Display (27-inch)
150 Questions from the Community
-
Is the stand on the 27" Thunderbolt Monitor adjustable (height)
Does the stand on the 27" Monitor adjust
- Asked by Alan M from Frisco
- May 15, 2013
- Flag as inappropriate
-
Can I send video, audio, pictures etc to the display using AirPlay?
- Asked by Martin R from Reidsdale
- Apr 28, 2013
- Flag as inappropriate
Answer
Not separately. No.
It has to be physically connected to a device via a Thunderbolt connection (Thunderbolt only - it will NOT connect to older DisplayPort devices). However, once connected to a Mac, there are apps (such as AirServer) which will allow your Mac to receive AirPlay signals and display them on the monitor.
Hope this helps!- Answered by Adrian P
- May 4, 2013
- Flag as inappropriate
-
Best Answer
the display doesn't have a power button. if you power on the connected mac, the display will turn on.
- Answered by Sam R
- Mar 22, 2012
- Flag as inappropriate
-
what cable is needed to connect the thunderbolt display to a mac pro?
- Asked by Semir B from Calgary
- Mar 27, 2013
- Flag as inappropriate
-
Will the 27" Thunderbolt Display power a USB SuperDrive?
My SuperDrive works only if I plug it directly into my Retina Display MBP, thus taking up one of the USB ports. My powered USB hub will not power the SuperDrive, and neither will the USB ports on the back of my 30" Cinema Display monitor.
If I get the 27" Thunderbolt Display, can I plug the SuperDrive into one of the USB ports on the back of the display and draw enough power from it?- Asked by Roger B from Los Angeles
- Jan 12, 2013
- Flag as inappropriate
-
Is it possible to use the thunderbolt display at all without a connecting device?
e.g. would it be possible to plug in an external hard drive and watch a movie without connecting my laptop and/or would it be possible to use the internet or a word doc with no laptop connected at the time?
- Asked by Tessa W from Toowoomba
- Feb 15, 2013
- Flag as inappropriate
Answer
It is a standalone display. It has no disk drive or computer built in. You'll have to connect a laptop or Mac Mini to watch a movie, use the internet, or use word documents.
- Answered by Sam D from Grayslake
- Apr 20, 2013
- Flag as inappropriate
-
What are the thunderbolt display dimensions
I have a space in which I'd like to insert the display, 21"x23"-
Is there a display to fit that space?- Asked by Eva T from Bermuda Dunes
- Mar 16, 2013
- Flag as inappropriate
-
Is the display area of this monitor flush when situated next to the next (2013) 27" iMac? If not how difficult would it be to align them?
I realise they are different case designs etc but looking at the tech specs they are different heights, I am more concerned with the displayable areas aligning rather than the cases being flush....
- Asked by Tom W
- Mar 3, 2013
- Flag as inappropriate
-
what is the difference between the thunderbolt display and the cinema display?
- Asked by Reynaldo Allan B from Los Angeles
- Nov 25, 2011
- Flag as inappropriate
Best Answer
The differences between the two are:
Cinema display needs 3 connections to work, Thunderbolt display uses 2.
Cinema display works with Mini Display port, Thunderbolt display only works with Thunderbolt port.
cinema display has 3 USB 2.0 ports on the back, the thunderbolt display has 3 USB 2.0 ports, FireWire 800, an additional Thunderbolt port and an ethernet port.
apart from that, they look identical, have the same screen resolution and cost exactly the same.- Answered by Sam R
- Mar 22, 2012
- Flag as inappropriate
-
What cables/adapters do I need to connect two Thunderbolt Displays to a new Mac Mini? Would like to have dual monitor set up.
- Asked by Dena R from Meridian
- Feb 19, 2013
- Flag as inappropriate
Answer
The second Thunderbolt display can connect directly to the first Thunderbolt display (in a daisy chain fashion) as each display has a Thunderbolt port. So you do not need any additional cables !
- Answered by Alastair M
- Apr 6, 2013
- Flag as inappropriate
-
Can a Thunderbolt display switch between two computers?
Can a Thunderbolt display switch between two computers?
If a Thunderbolt display is the primary display for a Mac Mini, is it possible for the display to switch to a MacBook Air? Without necessarily pulling the Thunderbolt connection from the Mac Mini? (Extra credit if this means the two machines could share the same USB-connected keyboard and mouse, via the same display?)- Asked by Marc Y from Stony Brook
- Nov 23, 2011
- Flag as inappropriate
Best Answer
The display has a thunderbolt cable AND a thunderbolt port. If you connect an iMac to the cable and a mac book pro or mac book air with an optional thunderbolt cable connected to the port then you can use 2 sources. HOWEVER in order to switch displays you either need to shut down or disconnect the computer using the monitor i.e. the display "remembers" the active port and will only switch if this original source is turned off or disconnected.
I use my iMac in dual display mode but if I connect my MBA and turn off the iMac, the MBA can use the extra display AND the extra USB and ethernet port (and be charged at the same time). I do not have a USB keyboard but suspect the two machines could share the same keyboard and mouse since the ports seem to move with the display source.- Answered by Chris E
- Oct 6, 2012
- Flag as inappropriate
-
I got a raspberry Pi for christmas- If you don't know what it is it is a aRM GNU/Lunix box
Anyways I need a monitor and I have been thinking about getting a thunderbolt display for my 2011 MBP 15" and was hoping to kinda kill 2 birds with one stone here....
The Raspberry Pi connects via HDMI and I know you can get a thunderbolt to HDMI cable so would this work????
It is an expensive monitor so if it won't work I will just have to buy a samsung or similar >_<- Asked by Nick K from Kew
- Jan 22, 2013
- Flag as inappropriate
Best Answer
NO! This won't work! Don't buy this display expecting it to work with your Raspberry Pi, or for that matter ANY OTHER DEVICE that doesn't have a native Thunderbolt port on board.
You cannot convert a video signal TO Thunderbolt.
And you cannot add Thunderbolt output to a system that doesn't have it supported on the motherboard.
Converters and adapters only go the other way TB -> HDMI / VGA / DVI etc. Thus allow connecting a TB Mac (or PC) to a non TB display.
You *might* be able to get your Raspberry Pi working with the Mini Display Port version of this display, the "Apple LED Cinema Display (27" flat panel)".
You'll need an adapter: I believe the Belkin AV360 adapter might work for you (but i've not used it personally).
Alex.- Answered by Alex K from Wells
- Feb 18, 2013
- Flag as inappropriate
-
Which is the best display for Mac Pro MD771LL/A
I am confused whether to buy 27" Cinema or 27" Thunderbolt display for MD771LL/A. Please clarify which would be better.
- Asked by Chidanand M
- Feb 26, 2013
- Flag as inappropriate
-
Hi, I have a MacBookPro7.1, Intel Core 2 Duo, can I connect to the thunderbolt display? Thanks!
- Asked by Aisling O from Philadelphia
- Jan 17, 2013
- Flag as inappropriate
Answer
To use Thunderbolt Display, make sure you have the following:
• MacBook Air (Mid 2011) and later
• MacBook Pro (Early 2011) and later
• MacBook Pro (Retina, Mid 2012)
• Mac mini Server (Mid 2011)
• Mac mini (Mid 2011)
• iMac (Mid 2011)
• OS X v10.6.8 or later
Find out if your current Mac qualifies by clicking the Apple icon at the top left of your screen, choosing About This Mac, then clicking More Info.
I Got this right off the support website. Hope it helps.- Answered by Helen S from Fox Lake
- Mar 30, 2013
- Flag as inappropriate
-
Is AppleCare available for the Apple Thunderbolt Display (27-inch)?
- Asked by David K from Anchorage
- Jan 11, 2013
- Flag as inappropriate
Answer
Yes, AppleCare is available for this display. It is $99.
- Answered by Gabriella M from Bradford
- Jan 25, 2013
- Flag as inappropriate
-
Can I connect my PC with DisplayPort to the Thunderbolt Display using an adapter or cable?
For work, I have an HP EliteBook 8470p, which has DisplayPort. When I'm using it at home, I'd like to be able to hook it up to my Thunderbolt Display.
I haven't found a male DisplayPort to female mini-DisplayPort/Thunderbolt adapter, but I have found a male DisplayPort to male mini-DisplayPort/Thunderbolt cable, which would technically allow me to connect the devices. However, I'm not sure whether the Thunderbolt Display accepts input from anything other than it's attached cable, or whether my PC's DisplayPort signal is compatible. Is it?- Asked by Brandon V from Medina
- Jan 31, 2013
- Flag as inappropriate
Answer
There is a Thunderbolt to Digital DV adapter, but not the other way around. If the rest of computer manufacturers adopt Thunderbolt like they did USB back in the day, you'll see more adapters and monitors. Thunderbolt was developed by Intel and Apple not by Apple alone so who knows why there isn't more adaptation by the other manufacturer's.
- Answered by David S from Pine Bluff
- Feb 20, 2013
- Flag as inappropriate
-
Is there a way to use the thunderbolt display as tv receiver?
I'm counsidering buying a TBD as an external display but, since my HDTV is already doing the job, I want to know if I can resell it and keep only the TBD.
I'm thinking for exemple about an option to install a tv card on it, or to use a usb tv card, or something like that.
Thank you!- Asked by Wendy E from Miami
- Jan 5, 2013
- Flag as inappropriate
Answer
The short answer is no but you can use your computer to send the signal to the display via the Thunderbolt. You need an external computer device with Thunderbolt to deliver the signal to the monitor. As of right now there is no other method of sending a signal to the TBD without a Apple Thunderbolt accessorized computer.
- Answered by David S from Pine Bluff
- Feb 20, 2013
- Flag as inappropriate
-
Does the thunderbolt display support USB 3.0?
- Asked by Joey P from West Lafayette
- Aug 10, 2012
- Flag as inappropriate
Best Answer
No, the current model only supports USB 2.0
- Answered by J Rolando S from Alachua
- Dec 15, 2012
- Flag as inappropriate
-
would i be able to hook up my sony surround sound system to the display? (any adapters that would work?)
- Asked by Christopher M from Valencia
- Jun 24, 2012
- Flag as inappropriate
-
Does the NEW macbook air support dual thunderbolt displays like the macbook pro?
- Asked by Stéphane C
- Jun 13, 2012
- Flag as inappropriate
Answer
Yes, the mid-2012 Macbook Airs with Integrated Intel Graphics 4000 support dual Thunderbolt Displays.
- Answered by Tom M from Pinedale
- Mar 12, 2013
- Flag as inappropriate