30" Cinema Display on a Macbook Pro USB-C
27/06/19 Filed in: Hardware
Scotty,
I have tried the Apple mini display port to AVI Adapter and the Apple HDMI to AVI adapter.
Neither of them will give me the max resolution of the 30" Cinema Display. What do you suggest that I use to get the max screen resolution (2560 x 1600)?
___________
After a little more research, connecting that legal 30” display which used DVI to a modern computer using Thunderbolt 3 looks like it may be too long a jump in technology. That’s a shame because the 30” Cinema display was a great screen (although ran very hot and used a lot of energy). I do think it is possible by using an Active dual link DVI adapter in addition to your usb-c to mini display port adapter. I’ve read success stories and failure stories. Here are similar adapters to what you’d be looking for.
Amazon.com: USB C to Mini DisplayPort Adapter, Allsmartlife USB Type C to Mini DisplayPort/Mini DP Adapter Cable with Aluminium Case Support 4K Resolution for Apple New MacBook, ChromeBook Pixel, Alienware- Grey: Computers & Accessories
Monoprice Mini DisplayPort 1.1 + USB to Dual-Link DVI Adapter - Monoprice.com
As they say, you may want to save the receipts. Considering the cost of the 30” display 10 years ago however, it seems reasonable to try to invest a little more money to see if you can get a couple years more out of it.
Disclosure: It is very possible that Apple could send an update out at any time that would accidentally limit the output resolution to that legacy display. This would most likely not be done on purpose but rather: whoever writes the display drivers just might not go back that far when writing support for older displays.
If you were to ask 95% of any Apple Store, considering many of them were probably in pre-K when we were using the 30” cinema display, they’d tell you it’s not possible.
Scotty
I have tried the Apple mini display port to AVI Adapter and the Apple HDMI to AVI adapter.
Neither of them will give me the max resolution of the 30" Cinema Display. What do you suggest that I use to get the max screen resolution (2560 x 1600)?
___________
After a little more research, connecting that legal 30” display which used DVI to a modern computer using Thunderbolt 3 looks like it may be too long a jump in technology. That’s a shame because the 30” Cinema display was a great screen (although ran very hot and used a lot of energy). I do think it is possible by using an Active dual link DVI adapter in addition to your usb-c to mini display port adapter. I’ve read success stories and failure stories. Here are similar adapters to what you’d be looking for.
Amazon.com: USB C to Mini DisplayPort Adapter, Allsmartlife USB Type C to Mini DisplayPort/Mini DP Adapter Cable with Aluminium Case Support 4K Resolution for Apple New MacBook, ChromeBook Pixel, Alienware- Grey: Computers & Accessories
Monoprice Mini DisplayPort 1.1 + USB to Dual-Link DVI Adapter - Monoprice.com
As they say, you may want to save the receipts. Considering the cost of the 30” display 10 years ago however, it seems reasonable to try to invest a little more money to see if you can get a couple years more out of it.
Disclosure: It is very possible that Apple could send an update out at any time that would accidentally limit the output resolution to that legacy display. This would most likely not be done on purpose but rather: whoever writes the display drivers just might not go back that far when writing support for older displays.
If you were to ask 95% of any Apple Store, considering many of them were probably in pre-K when we were using the 30” cinema display, they’d tell you it’s not possible.
Scotty
Sells Consulting email