Connect an old Apple display to a new Mac

Many people still have working Apple displays from yesteryear. Here's a guide on how to reuse them in a suddenly-needed home office.

 

Long before Pro Display and Studio Display ( in review ), Apple had monitors on offer that are still occasionally in use. Between 1999 and 2016, Apple sold a number of external TFT monitors to Mac users, but then stopped selling its own monitors for several years.

 

It wasn't until the end of 2019 that an Apple monitor came back with the Pro Display XDR , albeit for professionals. Accompanying the Mac Studio was the Studio Display in spring 2023 - significantly cheaper, but still quite expensive with prices starting at 1750 euros according to computer shop

 

 

Apple's displays initially had DVI connectors, but then switched to Apple's proprietary ADC connector, then back to DVI and dual-link DVI. This was followed by the industry standard Mini Display Port and finally Thunderbolt 2 as a connection, the Pro Display XDR relies on Thunderbolt 3 and is available for 5,500 euros - the stand costs an extra thousand. But the new Studio Display also relies on Thunderbolt 3.

 

Older monitors also work on new Macs

As you can see, many of Apple's older monitors are still in use. Apple has never revealed anything about the number of units sold, but apparently several million displays have been sold in the last 20 years. Monitors age over time, components fail, so one of the top questions is how to (re)connect an old Apple monitor to a new USB-C or Thunderbolt 3 Mac.

 

Also, don't forget that with an iPad running iOS 13 and later, and Mac 2015 and later with macOS Catalina and later, you can use the new sidecar feature to stretch your Mac's screen onto an iPad. If you want other options, check out the universally compatible Luna Display , as well as the Duet Display, which works with Apple and other mobile and desktop platforms.

 

All current Macs from Apple come with Thunderbolt 3 or Thunderbolt 4, a high-speed data transfer standard. Apple's version also enables backwards compatibility with Thunderbolt 2 and can be connected directly to HDMI, DisplayPort and USB 2 and 3, among other standards, via adapters. Docks extend compatibility with Mini DisplayPort, VGA, DVI, and other formats.

 

Only one Mac model ever included a USB-C port that wasn't designed for Thunderbolt 3: the 12-inch MacBook that Apple introduced in 2015, was updated in the following years, and was discontinued in 2019. I will note exceptions below for the sake of clarity.

 

But since you're more likely to have access to a newer Apple display than an older one, I'll cover the four digital standards that Apple has used in reverse order: Thunderbolt 2, Mini DisplayPort, ADC, and DVI (including dual Link DVI for larger displays). If you're not sure which display you have, look on the back for the model number (not the name, which often stays the same through many generations), then google that detail to get the full specs Find specifications and connector type.

 

Finally, a Magsafe warning. Apple offered Magsafe and Magsafe-2 connectors on some of its later-generation monitors so you could use the display as a hub: plug in a cable or two and Magsafe, and your laptop was ready. Apple has never licensed Magsafe to any third party, although you can find Magsafe "adapters" for USB-C, these products likely infringe Apple patents and have not been certified by Apple.

 

If you use such an adapter and it damages your Mac, you could lose your computer and unsaved data because you can no longer use the display charging port. It's plausible that Apple would try to refuse to repair under warranty. Just read the one star reviews on these products for more details. I've also noticed that retailers are cracking down on their sale as there are almost none currently available on Amazon.

 

 

From 2011 to 2016, Apple sold the Apple Thunderbolt Display, a 27-inch, 2560 × 1440 (WQHD) monitor that relied on a Thunderbolt 2 port to transfer data to and from a Mac, and a Magsafe or Magsafe 2 connector (depending on model) for charging. The monitor featured a 720p iSight camera (with bezel), a microphone and speakers, and multiple ports: a Gigabit Ethernet port, a Firewire 800 port, and three USB ports.

You'll find a lightning bolt icon on the Thunderbolt 2 socket, this distinguishes the Thunderbolt 2 screen from an older monitor that uses an identical looking connector shape but only supports the Mini DisplayPort. (This icon is a rectangle with a vertical line on either side).

Apple sells its own Thunderbolt 2 to Thunderbolt 3 adapter (55 euros), which allows you to easily plug the Apple Thunderbolt Display into the adapter and the adapter into a Thunderbolt 3 port. (Note: This will not work with a 12" Macbook, which has disappointed many buyers). Although the Thunderbolt 2 cable will not provide power to a Mac laptop, it should allow use of all other ports on the display as well. If you're having trouble getting the camera to work because all you see is a black feed, try this software agent repair trick as described by Stephen Fosketts on his blog .

 

Moving further back in time, we come across the LED Cinema Display. A 24-inch (1920 × 1200 pixels) model was sold from 2008 to 2010, and the 27-inch (2560 × 1440 pixels) version from 2010 to 2013. This series of displays featured a three-wire cable with a USB 2.0 connector, Magsafe power delivery, and a MiniDisplayPort. It also featured a 480p iSight, microphone and speakers, and a USB 2.0 hub with three ports built into the back.

For the 24 inch USB cinema display:

You have three solid choices for adapters:

 

With USB-C power delivery: A great adapter with an additional USB-C socket for "power delivery" is the UPTab USB-C to Mini DisplayPort adapter for 43 euros . This is useful on a laptop with only one or two ports, such as the 12-inch MacBook and all MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models with Thunderbolt 3.

 

Video only: If you have extra ports, work with a desktop computer, or use a Macbook Air and you don't mind running one port for power and one for the display adapter, you can also choose a cheaper adapter or just one Cables with both USB-C and Mini-DisplayPort connectors like this model from Silkland. When it comes to docks, there are a variety of options, but the cost is far higher. If you're looking to salvage an LED cinema display and don't need the multitude of other ports in a dock, consider buying a much cheaper DisplayPort or HDMI display and a USB-C adapter for one of those formats to connect to your Mac use.

 

However, if you need the ports and want to hook up an LED cinema display, consider these docks:

 

In our last Macwelt test, we recommend the Corsair USB-100 model , which offers a particularly large number of connections.

 

For either the 24" or 27" USB Cinema Display:

The OWC Thunderbolt 3 Dock (315 euros) offers two Thunderbolt 3 ports as well as Gigabit Ethernet, a combo audio input/output, an optical (S/PDIF) output, SD and micro SD card slots and four USB 3.1 types A connections. It supports simultaneous display via Mini DisplayPort and Thunderbolt 3.

 

Finally, we're back to the first digitally connected Apple LCD screens of usable size. From 1999 to 2004, Apple brought the 22-inch Apple Cinema Display (DVI in 1999, ADC in 2000), the 23-inch Cinema HD Display (ADC, 2002), the 20-inch Apple Cinema Display (ADC, 2003; DVI, 2004) and the 23-inch (DVI, 2004) and 30-inch (dual-link DVI, 2004) Cinema HD Display models. These ranged from 1600 × 1024 pixels for the first to 2560 × 1600 pixels for the last largest monitor.

 

For all DVI-based displays except the 30" HD model, you can use a simple, inexpensive adapter. For displays with an ADC, you'll need to find an ADC-DVI adapter on eBay or elsewhere, which used to be plentiful, such as from Dr. Bott. You might even find one in your junk box of old adapters. (Don't try to fool me; I know you have such a collection of adapters). As the owner of Apple's last CRT monitor, the Apple Studio Display 17-inch ADC, you hardly have a chance. There are only handicraft solutions here .

 

Some well reviewed adapters include one from Benfei and Weton . Weton's adapter also supports output to VGA and HDMI.

 

The 30-inch Apple Cinema HD Display's dual-link DVI port requires older hardware to function. There is no modern cable or adapter that can make the connection on its own. The Apple Mini DisplayPort to dual-link DVI adapter, which has long been out of stock, fetches surprisingly high prices on Ebay. Monoprice also offered such an item, but of course it is no longer in stock either. This adapter coupled with a Mini DisplayPort adapter or a dock with the connector known for Mini DisplayPort era monitors has also worked for some.