3 ms·

I'm not on a Mac anymore, but this sounds very similar to something that I experienced when switching over to Linux and trying to use the Apple adapters that I

I'm not on a Mac anymore, but this sounds very similar to something that I experienced when switching over to Linux and trying to use the Apple adapters that I had for my displays. I can't remember the exact terminology, but there are basically two types of adapters: active and passive. Passive adapters defer some of the work to software on the computer while active have everything needed built in. All Apple adapters are passive and because of that when you try to use them with non-Apple computers that don't have the expected software/driver...they don't work. It's been a while but I experienced this with mini-display port to DVI adapters. I don't know if it carriers over to other types as well.

dangus 7y ago
Honestly that might be why the adapter is relatively cheap. A lot of other solutions especially if you need single cable operation and >65W or especially 96W charging for the 16” MacBook Pro are active hubs that cost well over $100. But those are all cheaper and more flexible and cross platform than buying the 27” UltraFine display. My eyes can’t tell the difference between the UltraFine and the 4K 27” LG display that cost me $290.
Kirby64 7y ago
Another thing is whether or not a DisplayPort connector (or mini DisplayPort) supports 'dual mode' DisplayPort. Many graphics cards have these, but it's VERY unclearly marked on most things. See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DisplayPort#DisplayPort_dual-mode_(DP++) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DisplayPort#DisplayPort_dual-m... If you have a DP++ port, then it can basically act as an HDMI port with a passive adapter. If not... well, tough luck.
mruszczyk 7y ago
It's interesting, at least the lightning to HDMI adapter from apple dynamically loads a bundled copy of iOS from the device itself. I'm unsure if the USB-C multi port adapter is similar. https://hackaday.com/2019/07/30/apple-lightning-video-adaptors-run-ios-dynamically-loaded/ https://hackaday.com/2019/07/30/apple-lightning-video-adapto...
- __float 7y ago
  It doesn't seem to be dynamically loaded the same way, but it certainly has software updates: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT205858 https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT205858.
- saagarjha 7y ago
  Darwin with SecureBoot, not iOS.

dangus 7y ago

Honestly that might be why the adapter is relatively cheap. A lot of other solutions especially if you need single cable operation and >65W or especially 96W charging for the 16” MacBook Pro are active hubs that cost well over $100. But those are all cheaper and more flexible and cross platform than buying the 27” UltraFine display. My eyes can’t tell the difference between the UltraFine and the 4K 27” LG display that cost me $290.

Kirby64 7y ago

Another thing is whether or not a DisplayPort connector (or mini DisplayPort) supports 'dual mode' DisplayPort. Many graphics cards have these, but it's VERY unclearly marked on most things. See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DisplayPort#DisplayPort_dual-mode_(DP++) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DisplayPort#DisplayPort_dual-m... If you have a DP++ port, then it can basically act as an HDMI port with a passive adapter. If not... well, tough luck.

mruszczyk 7y ago

It's interesting, at least the lightning to HDMI adapter from apple dynamically loads a bundled copy of iOS from the device itself. I'm unsure if the USB-C multi port adapter is similar. https://hackaday.com/2019/07/30/apple-lightning-video-adaptors-run-ios-dynamically-loaded/ https://hackaday.com/2019/07/30/apple-lightning-video-adapto...

__float 7y ago
It doesn't seem to be dynamically loaded the same way, but it certainly has software updates: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT205858 https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT205858.
saagarjha 7y ago
Darwin with SecureBoot, not iOS.