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Connecting Macbook Pro (late 2013) to LG Ultrafine 4k monitor with Apple Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter

HI, the apple forum says I can connect a Macbook Pro (late 2013) to LG Ultrafine 4k monitor with the Apple Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter but I am getting a blank screen. I have tried the monitor on other machines and it does work. I am running High Sierra 10.13.6.

I have tried this on a 2017 macbook air too and it doesn't work either.

Thanks, Cali

MacBook Pro 13", macOS 10.13

Posted on Jun 30, 2019 2:54 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jun 30, 2019 8:54 AM

Video

Thunderbolt  or Thunderbolt 2 

 

Use the Thunderbolt port of this adapter to connect your Mac to a display that uses a Thunderbolt or Thunderbolt 2 cable. For example, you can use this adapter to connect your Mac to an Apple Thunderbolt Display or LG Thunderbolt 2 display.

This adapter is not compatible with displays that use DisplayPort or Mini DisplayPort, such as the Apple LED Cinema Display. Thunderbolt and Thunderbolt 2 are not the same as Mini DisplayPort , though the ports have the same shape.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT207266


Yeah, supposed to work...

https://support.apple.com/en-al/HT210105

6 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jun 30, 2019 8:54 AM in response to calidewberry

Video

Thunderbolt  or Thunderbolt 2 

 

Use the Thunderbolt port of this adapter to connect your Mac to a display that uses a Thunderbolt or Thunderbolt 2 cable. For example, you can use this adapter to connect your Mac to an Apple Thunderbolt Display or LG Thunderbolt 2 display.

This adapter is not compatible with displays that use DisplayPort or Mini DisplayPort, such as the Apple LED Cinema Display. Thunderbolt and Thunderbolt 2 are not the same as Mini DisplayPort , though the ports have the same shape.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT207266


Yeah, supposed to work...

https://support.apple.com/en-al/HT210105

Jun 30, 2019 6:56 PM in response to BobHarris

Thanks, but I am confused - the specs for my mac are described as 2 thunderbolt ports and also mini display port:

  • Thunderbolt digital video outputNative Mini DisplayPort output
  • Two Thunderbolt 2 ports (up to 20 Gbps)


However, I can only see the 2 thunderbolts) on my mac and on the image on this link - no mini display port: https://support.apple.com/kb/SP691?locale=en_US


And according to apple, this is supposed to work.

https://support.apple.com/en-al/HT210105

Jun 30, 2019 3:53 PM in response to calidewberry

Are you trying to drive the LG via a miniDisplayPort cable? Of so, then I'm not sure a Thunderbolt-3 to Thunderbolt-2 adapter includes DisplayPort protocols.


If I'm guessing right, then you may want to get either a USB-C to DisplayPort or (miniDisplay Port) cable. Or get a USB-C dock that have video ports supported by your LG.


Case in point, in another thread, someone had a miniDisplay Port cable, and got a USB-C to Thunderbolt-2 adapter and their cable would not work. They got a USB-C to miniDisplay Port cable, and it worked perfectly. I then went out and got the same cable and it worked for me as well.

Connecting Macbook Pro (late 2013) to LG Ultrafine 4k monitor with Apple Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter

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