Apple Thunderbolt Display Explained

Apple Thunderbolt Display
Developer:Apple Inc.
Type:Computer monitor
Predecessor:Apple Cinema Display
Successor:LG UltraFine (consumer, Apple-endorsed third party)
Apple Studio Display (consumer, Apple-branded)
Pro Display XDR (professional)

The Apple Thunderbolt Display is a 27-inch flat panel computer monitor developed by Apple Inc.and sold from July 2011 to June 2016. Originally priced at $999,[1] it replaced Apple’s 27-inch Cinema Display. For displays it can only connect with computers with a Thunderbolt port (for data it has a Gigabit Ethernet and FireWire 800). It is incompatible with most non-Apple computers, along with Macs released before 2011 and the 2012 Mac Pro or the single USB-C Retina MacBook. Devices with Thunderbolt 3 (such as MacBooks released after 2016) using an adaptor will work with the Apple Display.

The Thunderbolt Display was discontinued in June 2016, and replaced by LG UltraFine displays Apple developed with LG on the consumer end, while the Pro Display XDR succeeded it in 2019 as Apple's professional display. In 2022, the Apple Studio Display was released as the first Apple-branded consumer display since its discontinuation.

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Overview

Like its predecessor, the 27-inch LED Cinema Display, the resolution is 2560×1440 pixels in a aspect ratio. Its chassis is made of aluminum and glass, resembling the contemporary ranges of iMac and MacBook Pro unibody designs. The display features a built-in 720p[2] FaceTime HD camera (replacing the iSight in the previous model), microphone, and stereo speaker system with subwoofer (2.1 channel). An octopus cable with Thunderbolt and MagSafe is permanently attached to the back of the display for data and charging MacBooks, respectively. On the rear of the display is a Thunderbolt port, a FireWire 800 port, three USB 2.0 ports, and a Gigabit Ethernet port.

The Thunderbolt port allows for the possibility of daisy chaining Thunderbolt Displays from a supported Mac, or connecting other devices that have Thunderbolt ports, such as external hard drives and video capture devices. In July 2012, Apple began including a MagSafe to MagSafe 2 adaptor in the box.[3]

Discontinuation and successors

On June 23, 2016, Apple announced through a statement it was discontinuing the Thunderbolt Display and would exit the stand-alone display market.[4] Apple subsequently worked with LG to design the Thunderbolt 3-enabled UltraFine line, consisting of 21.5-inch (later 24-inch) 4K and 27-inch 5K displays, which were the only displays sold by Apple from 2016 to 2019.[5] In December 2019, Apple released the Pro Display XDR, the first Apple-branded display since the Thunderbolt Display's discontinuation. In March 2022, Apple released the Apple Studio Display, the first Apple-branded consumer display since the Thunderbolt Display's discontinuation, which similarly includes integrated speakers and a webcam.[6]

Compatibility

The Thunderbolt Display drops compatibility with all previous standards, including VGA, DVI, and DisplayPort.[7] It is not compatible with computers that do not have a Thunderbolt port, including pre-2011 Macs and the vast majority of desktop PCs. The 12-inch Retina MacBook and 2012 Mac Pro do not support Thunderbolt. The following Macs support the Thunderbolt Display without an adapter:

Macs released after 2016 with Thunderbolt 3 and later, which uses a USB-C connector, are compatible using Apple's Thunderbolt 3-to-2 adapter.[8]

Using multiple displays

MacBook Pro

MacBook Air

Mac Pro

Mac mini

Technical specifications

+ Table of models
ComponentLED-backlit LCD
ModelApple Thunderbolt Display (27-Inch)[22] [23]
Release date(s)July 20, 2011
DiscontinuedJune 23, 2016
Model number(s)A1407
Display27inches, IPS active-matrix TFT LCD, glossy glass covered screen, QHD resolution, LED edge-lit backlight.
aspect ratio (widescreen)
Pixel density109px/in
Response time12ms
Maximum Refresh rate59.95 Hz
Colors16,777,216 (8bpc / 24bit/px True Color)
Contrast ratio
Maximum Brightness375cd/m
Viewing angle178° horizontal; 178° vertical
Power inputIEC 60320 C7 port, 100240V AC @ 50–60Hz (Up to 250W while charging a MacBook Pro via MagSafe cable, 2W or less in energy saver mode)
Material
Aluminum frame and glass front
Audio output2.1-channel speaker system (49W)
Cables and peripheral connectionsCables

Peripheral connections

Miscellaneous
Dimensions (H × W × D, with stand)
Mass
System RequirementsMac OS X 10.6.8 or later, Thunderbolt port

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Apple Thunderbolt Display 27-Inch Specs (Thunderbolt Display, MC914LL/A, A1407): EveryMac.com. everymac.com.
  2. Web site: Apple Thunderbolt Display review. Pocket-lint. Stuart. Miles. November 1, 2011. January 22, 2013.
  3. Web site: Gurman. Mark. July 24, 2012. Apple starts shipping slightly tweaked Thunderbolt Display SKU to stores. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20120726000337/http://9to5mac.com:80/2012/07/24/apple-starts-shipping-slightly-tweaked-thunderbolt-displaysku-to-stores/ . July 26, 2012 .
  4. Web site: Apple Discontinues Thunderbolt Display. Clover. Juli. June 23, 2016 . 2016-06-24.
  5. Web site: Apple Says It's Out of the Standalone Display Business. October 28, 2016 .
  6. Web site: Axon . Samuel . 2022-03-08 . At long last: Apple will sell a desktop monitor that doesn't cost $5,000 . 2022-03-09 . Ars Technica . en-us.
  7. Web site: Apple Thunderbolt Display 27-inch User Manual.
  8. Web site: Adapters for the Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) or USB-C port on your Mac. August 25, 2022 .
  9. Web site: Dual 27" Apple Thunderbolt Displays Daisy Chained via Macbook Pro. YouTube. September 22, 2011.
  10. Web site: MacBook Pro 15" with Retina Display Can Run 3 External Displays. June 20, 2012. 21 February 2014.
  11. Web site: MacBook Pro Retina Display does not run 3 Thunderbolt Displays. 21 February 2014.
  12. News: Review of Apple Thunderbolt Display. AnandTech. Shimpi . Anand Lal .
  13. Web site: Slivka. Eric. Apple Thunderbolt Display with Multiple Monitors: No Daisy Chaining Mini DisplayPort Monitors. September 16, 2011 . macrumors.
  14. Web site: Thunderbolt ports and displays: Frequently asked questions (FAQ). 4 March 2014.
  15. Web site: Myrick . Andrew. How To Use a Second Monitor With the Mac. May 11, 2022. AppleToolBox.
  16. Web site: Mac Pro (Late 2013): Using multiple displays. 21 February 2014.
  17. Web site: Mac mini (Mid 2011) – Technical Specifications.
  18. Web site: Mac mini (Late 2012) – Technical Specifications.
  19. Web site: Mac mini (Late 2014) – Technical Specifications.
  20. Web site: Mac mini – Technical Specifications.
  21. Web site: Connect a display to Mac mini. Apple Support. April 6, 2022.
  22. Web site: Apple – Thunderbolt Display – Read the tech specs. . Apple Inc. February 6, 2020.
  23. Web site: Apple Thunderbolt Display – Technical Specifications. Apple Inc. September 17, 2011. September 16, 2011.

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