This is probably the easiest and cheapest way to use multiply Thunderbolt displays too. And since Thunderbolt is based on DisplayPort technology, Mini DisplayPort devices like the Apple LED Cinema Display plug right in, too. You can daisy-chain as many as six Thunderbolt devices - including two Apple Thunderbolt Displays - to a single port. But beyond speed, Thunderbolt gives you unprecedented expansion capabilities. That’s up to 12 times faster than FireWire 800 and up to 20 times faster than USB 2. It features two 10-Gbps channels for data transfer.
Thunderbolt technology in Mac mini is phenomenally fast. Though finding information on this isn't the easiest, Apple did use to put this right on their features page. This way, you can avoid all of the extra, unnecessary signal conversions and you end up with a monitor that will last you at least several years.Įdit: I made a mistake, you can't daisy chain the Cinema Display to the Thunderbolt Display. (IMO) Your best bet is to sell your Cinema Display and use the procedes to get a newer, modern display that has multiple input formats like HDMI and DisplayPort. You are going to spend more than the Cinema Display is worth in adapters only to end of with EOL'd products. You're looking at spending about as much for a new monitor to get an obsolete device to connect obsolete monitors.
This product will soon be EOL'd if not already. You're using tech that's already 5 years old and has already been surpassed by Thunderbolt 3. The problem with using a dock like this is two fold: You could use a dock like the OWC 12 Port Thunderbolt 2 Dock that has multiple TB ports out that includes support for video. The Thunderbolt Display will only daisy chain to another Thunderbolt Display. This is a limitation you can't overcome because these are two completely different signals.įor the Cinema display, you need a mini DisplayPort (DP) which is not available if you plug in the Thunderbolt Display. The Thunderbolt Display must be used with the Thunderbolt port and cannot be converted from HDMI. Port is not compatible with DVI, VGA, or DisplayPort displays or Or connect another display that uses Thunderbolt. From the Thunderbolt Display User Manual:Ĭonnect Thunderbolt-compatible devices for high-speed data transfer, The 27" Apple Thunderbolt Display can only support another Thunderbolt display.
Next, you’ll need 3 sets of high quality HDMI cables and a HDMI splitter box (like the one pictured below). Generic ones will cost much less around $8 USD. Well, the only way to do this is to use a mini-DisplayPort to HDMI converter/dongle, which Apples sells for around $35.00 USD. So how do you get HDMI output on the Macbook Air. It only has one mini-DisplayPort or on the newer Macbook Air, oneThunderbolt connector. Now you’re thinking the Macbook Air doesn’t have HDMI output … and you are correct.
It even works with the lid closed (thanks to the FREE NoSleep app).
It took me a while to figure this out … but finally I have a workable solution! In this article we will show you how to setup dual display for your Macbook Air via HDMI ( duplicate/clone screen only). There are two options … spend over $200 USD for a Matrox DualHead2Go or similar, which apparently has some incompatibility issues with the Macbook Air or around the same price … go for a bulky VGA splitter box, which again isn’t really what I wanted. The guys at the Apple stores says it can’t be done … while I went to all the hardware stores to look for a mini-DisplayPort splitter … it doesn’t exist.
I’ve been looking to share my screen from my Macbook Air on two monitors (duplicate/clone) … and there was not many options available.