Thunderbolt Display on M4 Mac mini

I have upgraded my Intel Mac mini to a M4 Mac mini and I am hoping to connect my 27" Thunderbolt Display. Have purchased a USBC to mini display port (thunderbolt?) and connected the monitor up but it doesn't work. I fear I am pooched! Is there any possibility this combination will work - what would the correct cabling be if so. Thanks in advance

Bill

Mac mini (M4)

Posted on Feb 13, 2025 11:32 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Feb 13, 2025 01:10 PM

If this is an Apple Thunderbolt Display (27-inch), model A1407, you purchased the wrong kind of adapter.


That monitor requires Thunderbolt input. A USB-C (male) to Mini DisplayPort (female) adapter will have connectors that physically fit, but it will present a plain DisplayPort signal to the monitor. That's not what the monitor wants, so you won't get a signal. What you need is an Apple Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter .


You may want to confirm that this is a Thunderbolt Display by

  • Counting the number of heads on the hydra cable. There should be two – the video one which you need to hook up, and the MagSafe one which you won't be using. If there is a third USB head, that would be an indication that you had a LED Cinema Display.
  • Checking for FireWire 800 and Gigabit Ethernet ports. The Thunderbolt Display has both, while the LED Cinema Display has neither.


If this is a LED Cinema Display and it is not working with a USB-C to Mini DisplayPort adapter, then there might be a hardware issue (e.g., with the monitor) going on.

3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Feb 13, 2025 01:10 PM in response to wrcooke

If this is an Apple Thunderbolt Display (27-inch), model A1407, you purchased the wrong kind of adapter.


That monitor requires Thunderbolt input. A USB-C (male) to Mini DisplayPort (female) adapter will have connectors that physically fit, but it will present a plain DisplayPort signal to the monitor. That's not what the monitor wants, so you won't get a signal. What you need is an Apple Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter .


You may want to confirm that this is a Thunderbolt Display by

  • Counting the number of heads on the hydra cable. There should be two – the video one which you need to hook up, and the MagSafe one which you won't be using. If there is a third USB head, that would be an indication that you had a LED Cinema Display.
  • Checking for FireWire 800 and Gigabit Ethernet ports. The Thunderbolt Display has both, while the LED Cinema Display has neither.


If this is a LED Cinema Display and it is not working with a USB-C to Mini DisplayPort adapter, then there might be a hardware issue (e.g., with the monitor) going on.

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Thunderbolt Display on M4 Mac mini

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.