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I have a Macbook Pro (Mid 2012) running macOS Catalina (due to age of computer this is as far as I can upgrade the operating system) and a Thunderbolt 27" Display. I would like to know if I can use that display with a newer Macbook or Mac Mini. What adapter(s) would I need to buy?
MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 10.15
Apple made two similar 27" displays. Which adapter you need depends on which display you have.
The Apple Thunderbolt Display has a "hydra" cable with two heads: Thunderbolt and MagSafe. For this display, you need the Apple Thunderbolt 3-to-2 adapter. A USB-C to Mini DisplayPort (female) adapter won't work. The connectors will physically fit, but the adapter will not output the right type of signal.
The 27" LED Cinema Display has a "hydra" cable with three heads: Mini DisplayPort, USB, and MagSafe. For this display, you need a USB-C to Mini DisplayPort adapter and should avoid the Apple Thunderbolt 3-to-2 one. You'll also need to connect the USB head (various ways of doing this) so you can control the brightness.
Note that some Thunderbolt Displays have bad, or flaky, "hydra" cables. This problem can become more apparent when connecting them to recent Macs. Recent versions of macOS are reportedly intolerant of transmission errors, as in, they may reduce resolution or even cut signal entirely when they see them.
If you encounter this problem, one possible solution is to run a Thunderbolt 1/2 cable from the TB2 side of the Apple TB3-to-2 adapter to the TB daisy-chaining port on the Thunderbolt Display – bypassing the bad video cable.
Servant of Cats, thank you for your time...unfortunately my Thunderbolt Display died on me this past Sunday after 11 or so years of service. I guess it was inevitable. Again thank you for your time.
You're welcome.
Using Thunderbolt 27" Display with a newer Mac Mini
