MacBook – Thunderbolt Display Daisy Chain Mini Displayport Monitor

displaydisplayportdvimacbook prothunderbolt

I have an issue that I can't seem to be able to fix. Hope you can help me with that.

I have a MacBook Air 2012 13", a Thunderbolt display and a Samsung monitor connected through DVI on one end, and the other end DVI to Mini DisplayPort.

I would like this setup to occur: when connecting the MacBook Air to the Thunderbolt Display both the Thunderbolt Display and the Samsung display to work.

I have connected the Mini DisplayPort into the back of the Thunderbolt Display and connected the Thunderbolt display into my Mac, but the Samsung screen will not work.

Is there something I am doing that is wrong?

Best Answer

I have connected the Mini Displayport into the back of the Thunderbolt Display and connected the Thunderbolt display into my Mac and the Samsung screen will not work.

Unfortunately, this will not work. You cannot attach (daisy chain) another monitor off of the Thunderbolt port on a Thunderbolt display. It's a limitation of the monitor, not the MBA

From AppleInsider: Apple clarifies Thunderbolt Display will not daisy chain Cinema Display

However, users with an existing Mini DisplayPort external monitor will not be able to daisy chain the screen from the back of the new Thunderbolt Display, despite it being physically compatible with the port. Apple notes that "Mini DisplayPort displays will not light up if connected to the Thunderbolt port on an Apple Thunderbolt Display."

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