#Usb c alternate mode for mac pro pro
#Usb c alternate mode for mac pro plus

A monitor that offers DisplayPort via Thunderbolt 3 (at up to 5K) uses the same USB-C connector, but only works with Thunderbolt 3 Macs, as the DisplayPort data is encapsulated as part of Thunderbolt 3’s data stream.īut there may still be a problem with 12-inch MacBooks. The 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pros with Thunderbolt 3 support DisplayPort either over USB-C or as a mode within Thunderbolt 3! So a monitor that offers DisplayPort over USB-C (at up to 4K) can work with any Mac with USB-C, because all of those models support DisplayPort over USB-C. Apple opted to include DisplayPort’s alternate mode with the 12-inch MacBook (20). Which modes a computer or other device can use depends on the controller. The USB-C standard for connecting devices includes USB 2 and 3, but allows for a bunch of extras, including DisplayPort, which are called alternate modes. The Apple Thunderbolt Display used Thunderbolt 2 to connect to a Mac and deliver via the monitor FireWire 800, ethernet, USB, a camera, mic, and speakers. The connector looks identical to Mini DisplayPort, but a Thunderbolt 2 controller and port could handle either a DisplayPort-only monitor or a Thunderbolt 2-supporting monitor, such as the Apple Thunderbolt Display, sold from 2011 to 2016.

#Usb c alternate mode for mac pro plus

Thunderbolt 2 rolled up a form of PCI Express data plus video using DisplayPort, and could support other kinds of data formats, like FireWire, through adapters or docks. The 24-inch and 27-inch Apple Cinema Display LED models (including Roger’s) had a three-connector cable that included Mini DisplayPort, USB 2.0, and MagSafe power. There are dedicated connectors that only pass video using the DisplayPort standard. Let me unpack the issue.ĭisplayPort is a display standard.

#Usb c alternate mode for mac pro pro

This is definitely prima facie confusing, and has perplexed tons of people who have considered buying a new MacBook Pro or purchased one and are trying to squash connectors together. I bought the Apple Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter but that doesn’t work-I suspect because the monitor has a Mini DisplayPort plug not Thunderbolt 2? I have just taken delivery of an impressive shiny new MacBook Pro, but I don’t seem able to get my Apple Cinema Display ( A1267) to work with it. Roger Harrop wrote in with a question that is on many, many of your minds, based on the email and Twitter queue: Editor’s note: If you are trying to connect an Apple LED Cinema Display to a USB-C MacBook or MacBook Pro, you should read this article.

Usb-c alternate mode for mac pro