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MacAir M1 to Apple LED Cinema Display?

I have a brand new MacAir M1 with (2) USB 3 ports and cannot get it to connect to my older Apple Cinema LED Display that has a mini DP and USB 3. The Cinema display was connected to my old 2014 MacAir perfectly. I have tried several different connectors and get nothing. Have read "Forget it, it won't work. You can't connect the M1 to an older Apple Cinema Display." The result is now, no audio, no camera, no video from my favorite, all time Cinema monitor. I have to believe Apple has a way to connect these two. Please advise.

MacBook

Posted on Jan 10, 2021 5:56 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jan 14, 2021 1:34 PM

Malcom, I come back to you with foot in mouth...

When I re-tried the cable connector I had (that I thought was the same one as the one you recommended here {uptab Mini DP to USB3}), I discovered although they looked almost identical...they were different. I therefore ordered the correct one and fear a bit of finagling, I got the screens to mirror and my New MacAir M1 is fully operation on my LED Display! YEA!


For anyone seeking to connect their M1 MacAir (and I'd assume the MacPro M1) the solution to that is this:

A Thunderbolt 3 adapter won't work for Mini DisplayPort, even though the plug will fit. It should work with a USB-C to Mini DisplayPort adapter, such as:

https://www.uptab.com/usb-c-to-mini-displayport-adapter-4k-60hz-silver/


Connect your charger to the extra USB-C port on the adapter.


Connect the display's USB cable to the other USB-C port on the Mac with a USB-C to USB-A adapter.

https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MJ1M2AM/A/usb-c-to-usb-adapter


Credit Malcom J. Rayfield with the solution!


Blessings for a great day and MANY thanks!


Jim L.



[Personal Information Edited by Moderator]

3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jan 14, 2021 1:34 PM in response to jlspacerox

Malcom, I come back to you with foot in mouth...

When I re-tried the cable connector I had (that I thought was the same one as the one you recommended here {uptab Mini DP to USB3}), I discovered although they looked almost identical...they were different. I therefore ordered the correct one and fear a bit of finagling, I got the screens to mirror and my New MacAir M1 is fully operation on my LED Display! YEA!


For anyone seeking to connect their M1 MacAir (and I'd assume the MacPro M1) the solution to that is this:

A Thunderbolt 3 adapter won't work for Mini DisplayPort, even though the plug will fit. It should work with a USB-C to Mini DisplayPort adapter, such as:

https://www.uptab.com/usb-c-to-mini-displayport-adapter-4k-60hz-silver/


Connect your charger to the extra USB-C port on the adapter.


Connect the display's USB cable to the other USB-C port on the Mac with a USB-C to USB-A adapter.

https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MJ1M2AM/A/usb-c-to-usb-adapter


Credit Malcom J. Rayfield with the solution!


Blessings for a great day and MANY thanks!


Jim L.



[Personal Information Edited by Moderator]

Jan 10, 2021 11:36 PM in response to jlspacerox

A Thunderbolt 3 adapter won't work for Mini DisplayPort, even though the plug will fit. It should work with a USB-C to Mini DisplayPort adapter, such as:

https://www.uptab.com/usb-c-to-mini-displayport-adapter-4k-60hz-silver/


Connect your charger to the extra USB-C port on the adapter.


Connect the display's USB cable to the other USB-C port on the Mac with a USB-C to USB-A adapter.

https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MJ1M2AM/A/usb-c-to-usb-adapter

Jan 12, 2021 10:44 AM in response to Malcolm J. Rayfield

Malcolm, thank you so much for your response. However, I have the exact USB-C to Mini DP cable that you linked to here and I have a proprietary Apple connector like the one you show here - except that it also has an HDMI and a USB-3 slot, in addition to the USB-C slot that I plugged the Cinema USB 2 cable into.


My LED Cinema specs say it has a: Mini DP with audio, Magsafe (not used) and a USB 2.0.


My MacAir M1 (Technical specs on Apple's web site) says it has: "Two Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports" with support for: "Charging, Displayport, Thunderbolt 3 (up to 40 GB/s) and USB 3.1 (Gen 2 (up to 10 Gb/s). All way too confusing because both of these "USB 4 'Thunderbolt' ports appear to be USB 3.1 ports -- which is what the "System Report" says is on this machine when I click on my Apple icon.

May I ask - Do you actually have an MacAir M1 connected to an LED Cinema Display or is your logic saying your suggestions above should work fine?


What I really need, I think, is someone who actually has their MacAir M1 (2020) connected to a LED Cinema Display.


Unless I'm missing something, I am about to give up on this.


Thanks again...willing to still listen to how to make this happen.


Jim

MacAir M1 to Apple LED Cinema Display?

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