Thunderbolt port MBA

Hi from UK
I understand the Thunderbolt port on the new Macbook Air is not up to the standard of the Thunderbolt ports on the rest of the Mac range. So apart from only being able to drive one external monitor, what are the other limitations?
Thanks

The driving of one monitor is it's only limitation. The reason they used the less expensive chip was due to the fact the integrated Intel graphics were most like unable to drive enough power to 2 monitors, anyways. The port is still just as fast and is still capable of daisy chaining 6 devices, aside from Thunderbolt displays of course.
http://www.macrumors.com/2011/07/29/new-macbook-air-using-scaled-down-thunderbol t-chip/

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Thunderbolt port is also Mini Displayport port?

Can Mini Displayport adapters be plugged into Thunderbolt port on my 2011 MBA?

Have you tried it? I have a 2011 Mac Mini with a MDP to DP cable going into an HP ZR24w display port monitor and I can't get a signal. Anyone actually having success? The specs on paper say it's possible but I haven't heard anyone actually confirm it and frankly it's not working for me.

I have a MBPro mid 2013 with 1 Thunderbolt port. Just bought a Mac monitor and want to daisy chain a PC monitor to it. Use a Mini DVI to VGA adapter from MBP to PC monitor. How do I daisy chain the 2 monitors?

I have a MBPro mid 2013 with 1 Thunderbolt port. Just bought a Mac monitor and want to daisy chain a PC monitor to it. Use a Mini DVI to VGA adapter from MBP to PC monitor. How do I daisy chain the 2 monitors?

Hall Palm Desert,
if your Mac monitor has Thunderbolt ports, and the PC monitor is on the end of the daisy chain, then you might be able to do it by connecting your PC monitor’s VGA cable to a Mini DisplayPort-to-VGA adapter (e.g. Apple, NewerTech), connecting that cable’s Mini DisplayPort end to one of the Mac monitor’s Thunderbolt ports, and then connecting a Thunderbolt cable between the other port on the Mac monitor and your MacBook Pro.

I have a Macbook Pro 13.3 i5 w/ no hdmi port. How can I connect my Mac to TV to watch video, photo ? Is the Thunderbolt port a mini display port where I can use a mini display port to HDMI cable? If not, what are my options??

I have a Macbook pro 13.3 w/ i5 that has no hdmi port. I want to be able to connect the Mac to my TV set to watch Video, Photos and files from Mac to TV.
Is the Thunderbolt port similar to a display port or mini display port? Can I use thunderbolt port to connect thru a mini displayport to HDMI cable or converter?
Been trying to locate a USB to HDMI cable or converter (at a reasonable price) but all I found is a displayport or mini displayport to HDMI cable/converter.
What other options are available ?
Thanks a lot for your assistance.

Thunderbolt uses a Mini DisplayPort adapter to send video and audio to HDMI. Here's some on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_2_8?url=search-alias%3Dcomputers&field-ke ywords=mini+displayport+to+hdmi&sprefix=mini+dis%2Caps%2C249#/ref=nb_sb_noss?ur l =search-alias%3Dcomputers&field-keywords=mini+displayport+to+hdmi+with+audio&rh = n%3A172282%2Cn%3A!493964%2Cn%3A541966%2Ck%3Amini+displayport+to+hdmi+with+audio

Thunderbolt port to Mini Display Port to HDMI problem

Ok.. I figured it out (after reading another post of 44 pages of solutions/non-solutions and complaints starting back to 2009 and trying some) It seems as though a simple fix was missing.... I did this and it works just fine...
I have a 27' imac. I used the Thunderbolt port on the back to a MDP to a HDMI to my 55" Vizio HD 1080p TV. It didn't work until......
I called my Boeing engineer son-in-law (who is a very part time mac person (but very smart!) and he had me go to (SEE steps below!)........
I did this and it works just fine...
HERE IT IS STEP BY STEP!!!
1.Open SYSTEM PREFFERRENCES click DISPLAYS. A window opens that will say your mac on the top of the window (mine said- iMac).
2.Then....click ARRANGEMENT (there will be 2 little blue screens inside--1 portrait and 1 landscape view) and check MIRROR DISPLAYS.
3.Now a second window opens with the name of your other display (mine said- VZ55.....which is my TV) (the two little blue screens will now be overlapping).
4.Then go to DISPLAYS on same window and choose your RESOLUTION.
5.Now arrow pack on window to SYSTEM PREFFERRENCES
6.Click SOUND and click on whatever your other display is (mine was VZ55....).
7.Choose your resolution (mine was 1080p) and ****POOF**** there it was.... my computer on my TV!!!
WALLA!
I hope this will help a lot of you! Good Luck All!

Shoudl try deactivating "Automatic graphic switching" from "Energy" pane of system preferences ...
As said on the following : http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1297176

How to connect two DVI screens to Thunderbolt Display's Thunderbolt Port?

Hi everyone,
I have a new MBP and an external Thunderbolt Display. The Thunderbolt Display itself has a Thunderbolt port, and I was wondering if there is anyway to connect to DVI screens to that. My goal is to have the Thunderbolt Display and 2 x 24" Samsung DVI screens connected to my MBP.
Alternatively, has anyone had success using a third party device like the Matrox 2 go to drive multiple monitors from the usb port?
Thanks,
Dave.

You could try a TB>DVI adapter (here's one from Monoprice) but I don't know that it will work - I'm thinking that you could have at least one of your Samsung displays use it. You may also want to see if you can find a HDMI>DVI adapter for your second Samsung display - something like this?
I know that I've seen three monitor set-ups on YouTube - but I'm not sure what was connected to what. Easy enough to daisy-chain ATDs but it gets a bit tougher when utilizing HDMI ports, etc., and I'm not sure about the GPUs ability to drive all three displays.
Oops - sorry - strike that second paragraph - I thought that you were running a Retina display MBP...
Clinton
Message was edited by: clintonfrombirmingham

How to connect iMAC thunderbolt port to a cable TV set top box?

I am moving to a house that will have combination TV-phone-Internet services delivered via cable (Optimum is the provider). I understand that with my new iMac which has a "thunderbolt" port that I can use the iMac as a tv monitor and DVR (recorder) and watch live TV or recorded TV. I think it is possible to record TV shows either on the iMac's hard drive or the Optimum DVR. Beyond that, I get confused because I do not understand the details of RCA cables, coaxial cables, HDMI connectors, etc. Apple does not provide support for set top boxes (I called Apple), and Optimum does not provide support for Macs (I called them too). Since Apple is the party advertising the capability of watching TV on a Mac, I would think the burden is more on them to explain how that works, and maybe they have done so on their web sites, but I cannot find it so far. I can understand that the cable company does not want to tell people how to bypass the need for their DVR equipment. Before I go out and hire a consultant for a few hundred dollars to explain it, I was hoping I might find online some tips on how to set up a system at home. No luck so far.
Am I correct in assuming that wireless connections are NOT an option because a TV signal has too much bandwidth to work wirelessly? (I do have a wireless router already.)
If so and if I am using wires to connect the iMac, am I correct to think I want to use the thunderbolt port for best results?
If so, what next? What exactly is the adapter or cable I need and how do I plug it into the set top box? There are several people in the household, and so I would want the flat screen TV monitor to work normally at times rather than only use the iMac. Does that require several set top boxes? I would think that this would be an issue for many people, and it seems to me that this forum would be an ideal place to get help. So far the people I have spoken with say "well it depends on what you want to do and what your equipment is and for that you have to go ask ___________[someone else]"

I do not understand what Apple TV is. I have TV already. When I look up "Apple TV" on the Apple website I see that is has been redesigned to be small in size but big in entertainment. Since I did not know what it was BEFORE it was redesigned, knowing that is has been redesigned does not help me understand it. Now it is smaller? So it was too big before? "Watch Netflix titles instantly." But I can do that with my mac and an internet connection now. So what is Apple TV that makes it a better or different way to watch Netflix movies? "Best of all, Apple TV is just $99" Sorry, but how is that the Best of All part? My Optimum Cable is charging me $30 a month for TV. But Apple TV's best part is it costs $99? Is that per month too? I also see that everything streams wirelessly to Apple TV, and all I need it so connect apple tv to my widescreen TV using an HDMI cable sold separately. Now I am really confused. I plug in a cable to get wireless streaming? If it is wireless, why does it need a cable? If there is a cable involved, how is it wireless? Color me clueless. I cannot find a straight forward description of what Apple TV is. And so I don't get how that is the answer to my question. Sorry for being so simple-minded. Thanks for the suggestion and I will go research further to learn what is an Apple TV.

Mini Display port DVI adapter not working on Thunderbolt Port

For some time I've been using a mini display port to DVI adapter on an slightly older MBP to connect to my HD TV. I recently purchased a MBP with a Thunderbolt port and when I try to connect it to my TV via my mini-display-port-DVI adapter things are not working properly. The MBP is seeing the Philips TV but it isn't listing all the display modes and I'm not able to send any video to it. Does the Thunderbolt port require a new display port to DVI adapter?

Let me be clearer; I've got the MDP-DVI adapter connected to a cable that is DVI on one end and HDMI on the other. I've got both laptops so I can compare side by side. I plug in the MDP-DVI adapter to the old laptop and all works well; I plug it into the new laptop and while the laptop does see the TV, the display modes for it are all 1080p which is wrong I don't see any desktop image on the TV unlike when I plug it into the older laptop. This is very disappointing as I expect things to just work with Apple products.

I want to Connect my Mac Mini as a Slave to a Mac pro Server while at the same time using the Mac mini's thunderbolt ports peripherals ( ie monitor, Sound Card, Hard drives) Creating a poor man's new mac Pro. Can this be Done?

I want to Connect my Mac Mini as a Slave to a Mac pro Server while at the same time using the Mac mini's thunderbolt ports peripherals ( ie monitor, Sound Card, Hard drives) Creating a poor man's new mac Pro. Can this be Done?

Well, I really would love the new unreleased mac pro however , I'm not sure of the expected cost , Everyone speculates from $3,000 to $8,000, in which I may have to wait a while to purchase.
To the point .... I want fully functional thunderbolt ports to be on the current mac pro's .... wonder if anyone had workarounds yet?... or could I chain the the current mac pro to a mac mini to make that happen?

Connecting Cinema Display with mini display port to macbook pro with thunderbolt port

I am trying to connect a 27" cinema display (2010) that has a mini display port cable out of the back, into my macbook pro (2013) with thunderbolt ports. The mini display port cord fits into the thunderbolt port on the Macbook Pro, however the macbook pro does not detect the cinema display and the cinema display does not have any picture on the screen. The USB plugs in fine and sound comes out, and I have the adapter for the magsafe to magsafe 2 and that works fine, it just the actual display. Any help would be appreciated!
Thanks!

Hello mmholt,
Welcome to Apple Support Communities.
It sounds like there’s no video on an Apple Cinema Display that’s connected to your MacBook Pro, and you’re wondering if the configuration is supported. It is supported, take a look at the article linked below for more information.
Thunderbolt ports and displays: Frequently asked questions (FAQ) - Apple Support
1. Can I connect a Mini DisplayPort monitor or monitor using a Mini DisplayPort adapter to a Thunderbolt port on my Thunderbolt-equipped Mac?
Yes. A Mini DisplayPort display or a display connecting with a Mini DisplayPort to VGA, DVI, or HDMI adapter will work just like it was connecting to a Mini DisplayPort connector when plugging in directly to the Thunderbolt connector on your Apple computer. Click here for more information on Mini DisplayPort connections and adapters.
Also, this article provides a lot of great information and troubleshooting tips that will resolve most issues related to video external displays.
Apple computers: Troubleshooting issues with video on internal or external displays - Apple Support
So long,
-Jason

What do i need to connect my mbp to a tv with a thunderbolt port?

I have an HDMI compatible (?) tv and my macbook pro has a thunderbolt port (instead of the minidisplay port) and i want to hook it up to my tv but i don't know how or what cables i need. thanks in advance!

Mini DisplayPort is the same as Thunderbolt, the two connectors are identical physically but the capabilities are different. Sellers typically have the Mini DisplayPort connector listed as such, so it is hard to find a Thunderbolt connector. But all you need is a Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter. You also need the long HDMI cable, which you probably already have.

How can I test my thunderbolt port? It's not working after the update to 10.10.1

I have been using my computer with the Thunderbolt Port for a while and after updating to 10.10.1 and after I while of using my computer I tried to use the thunderbolt port with my external monitor.. and it doesn't work at all.. video doesn't come out.. I tried a different screen with the mini adapter from thunderbolt to HDMI and another with thunderbolt to VGA and in both adapters I don't get video from my mac.
Any idea how can I test my Thunder bolt port?
This is what I have done:
1 cable adapter thunder bolt to mini HDMI to an LCD screen with HDMI : No video, but my computer detects that there is something connected
2 cable adapter thunder bolt to VGA to an LCD screen with VGA : No video, but my computer detects that there is something connected
3 cable adapter thunder bolt to mini HDMI to an 40' TV with HDMI : No video, but my computer detects that there is something connected
All the test pass from the Hardware test at the startup (press D at boot time).
Any ideas? my guarantee it's expired and no coverage. Due the nature of where the port it's installed, if this is a hardware problem seems that I will (may be) have to buy the Logic Board.. no good. No bueno!!
Thanks!!!

restore iPhone

My Thunderbolt-port equipped 15" Macbook Pro (Early 2011) works with other monitors but not with my Thunderbolt Display.

I just got a thunderbolt monitor and excitedly, I plugged my early 2011 thunderbolt port equipped 15" Macbook Pro (running 10.8.2) into it and... no image on the monitor.
Ok, so I know that the TB display works because I plugged a mid-2012 13" Macbook Pro into it (running 10.7.5) and it works perfectly. In fact, I'm using it to type this message right now.
Other details:
- in both the displays preference pane and about this mac/system info, the 15" mbp recognizes the display, yet... no picture either clamshell open or closed. restarted with it plugged in and not plugged in, no difference. also? sound comes through the monitor.
- ALSO, i plugged in a mini displayport monitor into the 15" port, and it displayed fine, so the port seems to be doing something.
see my conundrum?

It should just work - if it's not working with your 2011 model (works just fine with my 15" late 2011, right out of the box) I would get in touch with AppleCare as soon as possible and see what the senior techs may have to say...
Clinton

Anyone else having trouble connecting MBP with thunderbolt port (TBp) and 27"iMac with mini display port (MDp)

I have a 27" Imac.i7 with mini displayport and MBP13 i5 with thunderbolt port. Some time ago I tried to connect my old MBP with miniDP to The 27"iMac I Failed so did the apple centre they refunded cable costs and said I'd be contacted by Cupertino. That was 9 months ago, now replaced MBP with 13 inch(**** I can use my iMac as display!). Does not work phoned Fast Lane very helpful guy called JIM emailed me some software/firmware update links. Still no display linking. One of the links was for a couple of updates for a TBp equiped 27" iMac mine is only MDp equiped. Failing to find any MDp updates in apple support. Anyone have any Ideas! My lad has a later 27"i5 he uses Xbox 360 no problem on his but it wont look at my MBP.
Beginning to feel like some of the kit that went with a fully loaded 5500 worked eventually. Computer and FM radio, Photography kit fine, video capture audio capture forget it. Too many crashes and resets made it impractical.

Check discussion from Linc Davis on this thread
Problems with Preview
Similarly preview hangs opening files

HT3382 With a MacbookAir (mid-2012) using a mini DisplayPort to VGA adapter plugged into the Thunderbolt port, can you configure the external monitor to FULLY display in portrait mode yet keep the built-in display in landscape mode?

With an 11"-inch Macbook Air (mid-2012) using a mini DisplayPort-to-VGA adapter plugged into the Thunderbolt port:
Can you configure an extended desktop with an external monitor (20") displaying full portrait mode (1200 x 1600 resolution) and keep the built-in display in landscape?
I'd like to see something like
External monitor / Built-in display

Yes, I can't see why not.
Just give it a try and report back if you have a problem.

Thunderbolt port MBA

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