Dual Thunderbolt displays on Macbook Pro

I have a 15" MacBook Pro (mid-2011) with two 27" Thunderbolt displays. I very frequently boot my Macbook (laptop closed) and my two displays are out of order. I always know it's a problem because one of my wallpapers get's changed. It sometimes takes several reboots to get the monitors to order properly. I sometimes have to kill power to the monitors by turning off my power strip and then they boot up properly. I've tried swapping the cables around to move the monitors, but it still always seems to get jacked up. If I tried to reorder the monitors in the display settings my dock or primary monitor is always out of whack. The problem seems to have gotten a lot more frequenty with Mountain Lion. Any ideas?

You can use any of the USB solutions such as the Diamond BVU195, which is available for $75 and is fine for anything other than gaming or video playback.
It works very well for spreadsheets, word processing and productivity, you can control exactly what is on each monitor and you can hook up two and go to 4 screens!
I'm hoping thuderbolt versions will appear that will be faster and allow us to have multiple monitors at full speed!

Similar Messages

Sound Switches Between Thunderbolt Display and MacBook Pro

I have an Apple Thunderbolt display and MacBook Pro set-up with dual screens. I have an iPhone plugged into a dock that runs to the display. When I have music playing out of the display and I disconnect my iPhone, it switches the sound to the MacBook Pro.
1. How do I stop this from happening?
2. If I can't stop it from happening, how do I move the sound from the MacBook Pro back to the display?
There doesn't seem to be any options within Preferences/Sound to change it back.
Thank you.

I've a Spyder4Elite that I use on both my Thunderbolt Display and on my MBP - and, while both are calibrated, they don't - and cannot - 'match' one another, no matter how hard I try.
I suspect that you're running up against the same wall? Different technologies in different displays. I doubt that you'll ever get a perfect match: mine are just 'good enough'.
Clinton

Hi - How do I connect an HDTV as a second monitor to Thunderbolt display with macbook pro in clamshell mode?

I have a Late 2011 Macbook Pro in clamshell mode connected to a Thunderbolt Display with the built in Thunderbolt cable. I want to then connect an HDTV via the Thunderbolt port at the back of the Thunderbolt display. I already had a cable that I thought would work which turns out to be a MiniDisplay port to HDMI cable and therefore not compatible with Thunderbolt to Thunderbolt (Mini DisplayPort not being the same technology although it uses the same port - although I'm not an expert !!) So far a web search has provided me with the only solution being using a Thunderbolt dock or storage that has multiple Thunderbolt ports and then using that to daisychain inbetween the Thunderbolt Diplay and the HDTV. The cheapest solution I can find for this would be about £250. Surely not ??!!!!
Many thanks for any comments - Nik

You could also use aThunderbolt dock with HDMI, such as:
<http://www.belkin.com/uk/F4U055-Belkin/p/P-F4U055/>
<http://www.caldigit.com/thunderboltstation/>
<http://www.elgato.com/en/thunderbolt/thunderbolt-dock>

Dual/Triple Displays on MacBook Pro 9,1 (Matrox?)

I just picked up a MacBook Pro (Model MD103LL/A) last night and I'd like to hook up two to three 23" LG DVI displays. I'm told the Matrox Dual or Triple Head2Go adapters will work, but there are mixed reviews from Mac owners on newegg and amazon. I'd love to hear from other MacBook Pro users who have used this setup to drive multiple monitors. Also, I'm wondering if a GT650 with 512MBs of memory can handle three monitors.
Please post your comments here. Thanks for your help.

Got w7 install disc working again, installed everything again, ran apple updates agian, and now windows freezes on boot again. I have a feeling the latest windows iTunes update is the culprit somehow (when my machine bugged out initially that was the only bootcamp related software I updated).

Chain Time Capsule, Thunderbolt Display and MacBook Pro

I would like to setup the following configuration?
     TimeCapsule <== ethernet cable ==> Thunderbolt Cinema Display
     Thunderbolt Cinema Display <== thunderbolt cable ==> MacBook Pro (thunderbolt port)
Does this configuration support the following concurrent connections?
     to Time Capsule through thunderbolt port
     to Internet through airport wireless card
I would like to assess this configuration before the purchase.

I've a Spyder4Elite that I use on both my Thunderbolt Display and on my MBP - and, while both are calibrated, they don't - and cannot - 'match' one another, no matter how hard I try.
I suspect that you're running up against the same wall? Different technologies in different displays. I doubt that you'll ever get a perfect match: mine are just 'good enough'.
Clinton

Thunderbolt display and macbook pro calibration

I have a macbook pro mid 2011 and a thunderbolt display and they both have been calibrated by a Spyder device, I sometimes grade images on my laptop but when I get back to the office the shots look different, any ideas?t

I've a Spyder4Elite that I use on both my Thunderbolt Display and on my MBP - and, while both are calibrated, they don't - and cannot - 'match' one another, no matter how hard I try.
I suspect that you're running up against the same wall? Different technologies in different displays. I doubt that you'll ever get a perfect match: mine are just 'good enough'.
Clinton

OS X Thunderbolt display on Macbook Pro

I upgraded my Macbook Pro with OS X and now, after a period of inactivity, the display does not come back on automatically. It works if I unplug it from the laptop and plug it back in. Currently I am using the power supply plug from the Thunderbolt as I was doing before the upgrade.

Do you have a MacBook Pro with a Thunderbolt port? I only ask because your profile shows that you're running 10.6.5...
Let's assume that you do. Your problem may be with the Thunderbolt Y cable. The only way to know for certain is to take your entire kit to your local Apple Store or AASP and have them run diagnostics.
Sorry,
Clinton

Dual Thunderbolt Displays in Windows 7? Retina Macbook?

I understand you cannot daisy chain thunderbolt displays in Windows 7 to have dual monitors? Is there another way to run Dual monitors? I have a mid 2012 Macbook pro with on Thunderbolt display. I see the Retina Macbook has two thunderbolt ports. If I got one of those, could use dual Thunderbolt displays then in Windows 7, and then just hook each monitor up to it's own Thunderbolt port instead of daisy chaining?

No, you still cannot drive 2 Thunderbolt Displays in Windows with the MBP Retina.
However, you can use 1 Thunderbolt display (for USB hub and LAN connection), and then use 1 Cinema display as the 2nd screen. You can chain the USB ports, but not the displays, so you do have 1 extra connection to the MBP, but that's fine.
Windows 7 will drive this setup without problems.

Dual Display - help with Cinema Display for MacBook Pro where MB won't detect displays.

I just got a Cinema Display (a1081 20") ("CD") off eBay to use as a dual screen with my Macbook Pro OS X 10.6.8 ("MB"). However, I can't get MB to recognize CD! I've tried power cycling both the MB and the CD with and without USB cord connected. MB won't recognize CD display in any situation. However, it is recognized in some capacity although I can't use dual display because the CD power button triggers MB to ask me if I want to restart, shutdown, or cancel.
Any help is appreciated!!

Have you tried smc and pram resets?
Try Detect Displays in the Displays preference pane.
Does the Displays preference pane Arrangement show two screens? If so do click gather windows and check the resolution setting of the new screen.

How do I set-up my TV as a dual monitor for my MacBook Pro?

Hi
I have a mid-2009 MacBook Pro running (OS X 10.8.2) Mountain Lion, and recently I rearranged my home workspace so that I can view my TV from my desk while I work.
I would like to set-up my TV as a dual monitor for my MacBook Pro, so I can stream videos on my TV screen and have the whole screen to do work on my MacBook Pro at the same time.
Is this possible? I've seen people use TVs as a mirror display (where it works as their main and only monitor), but never as a fully operational dual display.
As an example, I would like to have my MacBook screen showing a desktop with the whole screen devoted to Photoshop, while I have another desktop running on my TV, which shows an internet browser or other application.
If this is possible, what cords/hardware would I need, and what are the settings that will enable me to do this?
- My TV is a modern flatscreen LCD, and it has two HDMI ports in the back.
- It's about 9-10 feet from my desk.
If anyone could help, that'd be awesome!
Thanks.

Yes, you can do that.
You'll need a mini displayport to HDMI adaptor:
http://store.apple.com/us/product/H1824ZM/A/moshi-mini-dp-to-hdmi-adapter-with-a udio-support
and an HDMI cable long enough to reach your TV
(look on Amazon or Monoprice for the best price on any of those parts)
In your display options, you will just choose extended desktop vs mirrored display.

ACD 30" Dual Link DVI and MacBook Pro Unibody

I have the following configuration:
ACD 30" Dual Link DVI and MacBook Pro Unibody
I am exhibiting some intermittent problems with the 30" display not coming up when I reboot for example and here are some more:
1. MacBook Pro not in clam-shell mode and restart equals 30" display not turning on
2. When in Snow Leopard and I have the MacBook Pro running in clam-shell mode and I open the display on the MacBook Pro it remains black.
3. When waking the MacBook Pro from sleeping (MacBook Pro in clam-shell) the 30" ACD is "grainy" and the display is not usable and it requires a reboot to solve the problem.
Any help? In addition are there any other displays using mini-display port to mini display port technology?
What about a different monitor; will I still have to use the Dual Link DVI adapter to drive a display with higher than 1920x1200 resolution?
Are there adapters to go from mini-display port to display port?
Thanks,
Mike

Just came across your post and i have a couple of suggestions ive noticed with the Dual-Link to Mini-DP with the same configuration.
When working in clamshell mode for example, the 30" will become the MAIN/Default display...So if you open your macbookpro while the 30" is on and the system is running, the screen will remain black because it is in closed mode; basically meaning there is no signal to be sent.
so if you want the display to show up, either restart or put into sleep mode, then wake the system WITH THE LID OPEN.
As for the grainy/static artifacts, its beena reported issue since day 1, not sure waht the fix or issue may be with it but heres a resolution.
Press; SHIFT CONTROL EJECT-KEY all at once, this will disable signal to the monitor, but not shut off the machine...then use your mouse or press a key on the keyboard to wake the display and the grainyness should disappear.

Dual monitors for my macbook pro

I want to use dual monitors for my macbook pro but I am getting mixed answers as to if that is possible. I want to use just the two monitors, so basically I am thinking I will plug my macbook into the monitors, close my macbook and use a blue tooth mouse and keyboard on the two monitors. I want to know if that is possible. Also, I am wondering about the adapters. I know that one end should be the thunderbolt and then the other end will have whatever the monitor needs (DVI/VGA) but all the adapters I see only have one place to plug a monitor in, and I will be need two.

It is possible.
I currently use a thunderbolt to vga adaptor and a usb to vga adaptor to run two independent monitors.
However, the usb to vga adaptor is not great. I'm using an Eclipse See2 UV159 but the screen does not come out as good as the thunderbolt to vga adaptor.
I'm currently looking for a better adaptor.

Display from MacBook Pro

I want macbook pro sleep and close whole i use iMac display from macbook pro but cannont, I use thunderbolt core plugin of both. any one know ? how to solve it.
Thank you for you time

You have to have a Keyboard, Mouse and the AC adapter connected to the Macbook Pro to be able to use what Apple calls Clamshell mode. That is where you have an external monitor connected to the MBP and close the lid so the notebook screen turns off but yet the system does not sleep so you can still use it with the external monitor.
No there is no way to put the MBP to sleep and still use it. That would be like you going to work, Taking a Nap and still doing your job. Can't be done as far as I know.

How do I restore a frozen display on MacBook Pro ?

HHow do I restore a frozen display on MacBook Pro ?

Have you tried forcing shutdown? Hold the power button for 5-10 seconds to force shutdown.

I have just used air display with macbook pro. i have disconnected now from apple tv. but my laptop screen is still very small like its connected to the tv. this means all the tabs and writing is very small, how do i full disconnect my laptop?

i have just used air display with macbook pro. i have disconnected now from apple tv. but my laptop screen is still very small like its connected to the tv. this means all the tabs and writing is very small. like the display down the bottom where al the applications are, is n the middle of the page and not spread down the bottom. this is seriously annoying! all the writing is every small and the tabs are small and its hard to read. the air display link has disappeared from my computer. but the laptop screen is still very small. i want to know how do i get rid of this and return my macbook screen to its normal size. thank you

Hello chrispyw,
If your content is still being displayed incorrectly, I would check the resolution setting for the built in display with this article:
OS X Yosemite: Adjust your display’s resolution
If it keeps happening whenever you use AirPlay then I would use this section of the following article to reset the display system:
Apple computers: Troubleshooting issues with video on internal or external displays
Reset the system
You can reset the Mac's parameter RAM and SMC.Reset the resolution
Start by resetting the Mac's parameter RAM. If the display does not come up, was previously set to an unsupported resolution, and still results in no video:
Start up in Safe Mode.
From the Apple () menu, choose System Preferences.
Choose Displays from the View menu to open the preferences pane.
Select any resolution and refresh rate that your display supports.
Restart your computer.
Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.
Regards,
Sterling

Dual Thunderbolt displays on Macbook Pro

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