What is needed to connect MacMini M4 to an Apple 27in Cinema Display?

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What is needed to connect MacMini M4 to an Apple 27in Cinema Display?

The MacMini M4 has a Thunderbolt 4 port and an HDMI port, but the 27in Cinema Display has a Mini DisplayPort male connector. I can see adaptors that will allow a uni-directional connection, ie from MacMini to the display, but none that appear to allow a bi-directional connection, ie from the macMini to the display and from the display camera to the macMini. The Apple Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter technical details specifically state that it is not suitable. Can anyone point me to a suitable solution?

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iPad, iPadOS 17

Posted on Mar 18, 2025 11:31 AM

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Answer 1

Phil0124

Level 10

214,471 points

Mar 18, 2025 12:00 PM in response to jc9my

The extra features on the Cinema Display require an additional connection using the USB cable from the Cinema display's harness, it does not work through the Mini-Dislpay port display connection.

Cinema Display User Guide:

https://cdsassets.apple.com/live/6GJYWVAV/user/ma1554_led_cinema_display_27-inch_ug.pdf

You will need a specific. Mini-Display Adapter, and a USB-A to USB-C adapter for the Webcam and usb ports on the display.

For example:

click here ➜ Thunderbolt 3 to Mini Display Port Adapter - Amazon.com

and here ➜ Ugreen USB-A to USB-C Adapter - Amazon.com

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Answer 2

Mar 19, 2025 04:49 PM in response to jc9my

You need

Some way to bring out a DisplayPort signal on a Mini DisplayPort (female) socket, such as

A third-party USB-C (male) to Mini DisplayPort (female) adapter.
A hub or dock with a downstream Thunderbolt port into which you can plug a USB-C to mDP adapter.
A hub or dock with a full-size DisplayPort, into which you can plug a full-size DP to mDP adapter.

This will involve using one of the rear-panel USB-C ports on the M4 Mac mini, as they are the only ports on the Mac mini that carry DisplayPort or Thunderbolt-encapsulated DisplayPort signals.

Some way to plug in the USB-A cable from the Cinema Display, such as

An Apple USB-C to USB adapter
A powered USB-A hub with multiple USB-A ports
A USB-C or Thunderbolt dock that has multiple kinds of expansion ports, including USB-A ones

If the adapter only goes from USB-C to one or more USB-A ports, you can plug it into any of the USB-C ports on the M4 Mac mini – front or back.

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