Hello community,
any chance I might do damage to a Mac Studio by unplugging the monitor and plugging it back in while the Mac is still running?
Thanks!
Mac Studio, macOS 15.5
The fairly low voltages in the interfaces between computers and displays are intended to allow unplugging and re-plugging without having to drop power to do so. No electrical damage is likely to result from unplugging or re-plugging "live".
However, as tbirdvet has pointed out, the data interfaces are getting more and more complicated. While no electrical damage is expected, confusion on the part of the computer and also now the 'smart' display(s) may happen very easily.
The fairly low voltages in the interfaces between computers and displays are intended to allow unplugging and re-plugging without having to drop power to do so. No electrical damage is likely to result from unplugging or re-plugging "live".
However, as tbirdvet has pointed out, the data interfaces are getting more and more complicated. While no electrical damage is expected, confusion on the part of the computer and also now the 'smart' display(s) may happen very easily.
My answer above still stands. No electrical damage.
But software confusion is quite possible, and that could make the display go dark and require resetting things.
I have done this several times in the past and no issue but recently did this with my Studio display and would not come back on after reconnecting and when I tried to reboot it would not even after starting from recovery for some reason. In the future I will always shut down first. (after several recovery attempts it finally worked fine)
I use that same 30-in display. sold from 2004 through 2010.
https://everymac.com/monitors/apple/studio_cinema/specs/apple_cinema_display_30.html
Dual-link DVI is similar to HDMI, and uses 5 volts signal levels.
You get Firewire by plugging FireWire outputs from the computer, and USB-2 (plus display brightness control) from plugging in outputs from the computer.
No Thunderbolt anything involved.
Hello Grant,
thanks, that’s very interesting, as in my case, the display to be unplugged and re-plugged is an old 30-inch Apple Cinema HD Display—nothing smart, but far higher voltages than the current models as far as I know. So I suppose those could in fact cause damage to the Studio Mac? And if yes, would that still be the case when turned off, while still connected to power?
Cinema display LED 27-in A1316 from 2011 is a 2560 by 1440 display that features lead-in cord with three connectors -- Mini DisplayPort, MagSafe-2 and a USB-A pigtail. It does NOT work with the Thunderbolt adapter, but works fine with a USB-C to miniDisplayPort adapter.
It includes three USB 2.0 ports and a convenient single cable with THREE connectors (Mini DisplayPort, MagSafe-2, and USB 2.0), a built-in iSight camera with a mic and a 2.1 speaker system.
This display works great with a USB-C to MINI-DisplayPort adapter.
Mini DisplayPort uses plus and minus three volts maximum.
USB-2 uses plus five volts maximum.
MagSafe can produce up to 20 volts, but ONLY when a peripheral device like a MacBook is actively charging or running.
"Discretion is the better part of Valor."
Ok, thanks. I don't know how to find out the exact model type of my display. It is identified as 30-inch (2560 x 1600) Apple Cinema HD Display, includes two USB ports and two firewire-ports, no camera, no speakers, features a lead-in cord with three connectors: firewire, USB, and DVI. It connects to the Studio Mac M2 Max (2023) via a USB-C to DVI Adapter (startech, CDP2DVIDP, in case it matters).
The reason why I bother un- and replugging it is that ever so often, the Mac won't wake up the screen from sleep (screen, not Mac goes into sleep mode, meaning goes dark), and I know two ways to have it wake up, namely this or force restart the Mac.
Yes, that looks right. Thanks! And right, no thunderbolt. Just DVI to USB-C. So, with your help, that allows for a much more precise question:
Any chance I might do damage to a Mac Studio M2 Max (2023) by unplugging and plugging back in an Apple Cinema Display 30-Inch (Aluminum) M9179LL/A - A1083, connected through a USB-C to DVI Adapter (startech, CDP2DVIDP) while said Mac is still running?
Ok, good. As long as no electrical and thereby (I reckon) lasting damage is to be feared, I think I'll take my chances for a little bit longer, before spending 1.5K—or 5, for that matter—on a new one. Thanks so much!
Hello, thanks for your reply. Just to be clear: Was it the display or the Mac that wouldn't start after unplugging and replugging? (A Studio Mac if I get that correctly?)
The Mac would start up but no image on display which I believe because no signal from the Mac. After booting into recovery several times the display finally came on.
Damage Mac Studio by unplugging and replugging the monitor while the Mac is still on?
