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Can a non thunderbolt 27" monitor run off the iMac thunderbolt port as a second display? Apple tech support told me no. However since the old 27" monitor (non thunderbolt) works with the
Macbook pro 17" with thunderbolt , why wonuld'nt it.
Has anyone tried it?
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I don't see why there would be any difference in behavior between 2 different computers using the same port: the tech may have been trying to convince you to buy a thunderbolt display, or may have been referring to the display not operating at thunderbolt specs.
I haven't tried it, but if it works on the MBP, it should work on the iMac.
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But how do you connect it?
The specs say that the new i5 iMac can run a second monitor so I've just committed to buying one. now I see that there'd is no video output, but I understand that connection is through Thunderbolt. Is there a dvi adapter?
It is very misleading of Apple if only their own new thunderbolt display will work.
Thunderbolt is cross compatible with Apple's Mini-Displayport interface. You can connect a Mini-Displayport-To-DVI adaptor or a LED Cinema Display to a Thunderbolt port.
That seems insanely simple - thanks for the info.
Somewhere on the Apple iMac specs or the website it would be handy to mention that, for people (like me) who have not actually seen a thunderbolt port (I'm just getting used to not having SCSI any more)
Yes, I have a drawer full of Apple display adapters with some ports I don't even recognize. However, with the proper adapter, any display should be compatible.
Ok we got a lot of it should and don't see why nots ? Im using a MacPro note book with thunderbolt . All the current adapters and a non 27" non thunder bolt apple display work( hdmi etc) .So back to the original question if I buy a thunderbolt 27" display will the non thunderbolt 27in display work as the second display off the Macbook pro thunderbolt or if i but a iMac will the non thunder bolt display work as the second display?
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You cannot connect an older Mini DisplayPort Monitor DIRECTLY. However, if you connect another ThunderBolt device into the connector of the ThunderBolt Monitor and then connect the Mini DisplayPort Monitor into that - then it works.
Yes, this is odd behaviour.
It is worth noting that the 27" ThunderBolt iMac has two ThunderBolt connectors (so you can just plug the Mini DisplayPort Monitor into the other connector. Also worth noting that the 27" iMac can ONLY support two external displays (of any type). If you have two ThunderBolt Monitors daisy chained on one port the other port cannot drive another display (regardless of type).
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Apple has posted a support document describing compatibility between recent Macs and multiple Thunderbolt Displays, and also notes that previous DisplayPort screens will not work when attached to the Thunderbolt port of its new display. 9/16/2011
by rrheck