# Apple Thunderbolt Display
The **Apple Thunderbolt Display** is a 27-inch external monitor introduced by Apple on July 20, 2011 as the world's first display with Thunderbolt I/O technology, designed to work as a single-cable docking station for Thunderbolt-equipped Mac notebooks[1](https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2011/07/20Apple-Introduces-Worlds-First-Thunderbolt-Display/). It replaced the Apple LED Cinema Display in Apple's lineup and carried a suggested retail price of $999 (US)[1](https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2011/07/20Apple-Introduces-Worlds-First-Thunderbolt-Display/) • [2](https://www.macworld.com/article/214359/first-look-apple-thunderbolt-display.html). Apple discontinued it on June 23, 2016 without announcing a successor[3](https://www.macrumors.com/2021/06/03/apple-thunderbolt-display-now-considered-vintage/).
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Announced / discontinued | July 20, 2011; June 23, 2016, with no successor[1](https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2011/07/20Apple-Introduces-Worlds-First-Thunderbolt-Display/) • [3](https://www.macrumors.com/2021/06/03/apple-thunderbolt-display-now-considered-vintage/) |
| Panel | 27-inch TFT active-matrix LCD with IPS; 2560 by 1440 pixels, 16:9, 375 cd/m2 brightness, 1000:1 contrast, 12 ms response, 16.7 million colors[4](https://support.apple.com/en-gb/112597) |
| Connections | Three powered USB 2.0 ports, FireWire 800, Gigabit Ethernet, two Thunderbolt ports; built-in Thunderbolt cable and Universal MagSafe cable (up to 85 W)[4](https://support.apple.com/en-gb/112597) |
| Camera and audio | Built-in FaceTime HD camera with microphone recording up to 720p; 49 W 2.1 speaker system with a small subwoofer[4](https://support.apple.com/en-gb/112597) • [5](https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Apple%2BThunderbolt%2BDisplay%2BTeardown/6525) |
| Power | Maximum 250 W while charging a MacBook Pro; energy saver mode 2 W or less[4](https://support.apple.com/en-gb/112597) |
| Requirements | Thunderbolt-enabled Mac running OS X v10.6.8 or later[4](https://support.apple.com/en-gb/112597) |
| Repairability | iFixit teardown score 8 out of 10; no proprietary tools required[6](https://www.ifixit.com/News/14322/apple-thunderbolt-display-teardown) |
## Design and display
The display uses a 27-inch (diagonal) thin film transistor active-matrix LCD with in-plane switching (IPS), a technology that keeps color and contrast stable across wide viewing angles, specified at 178 degrees both horizontally and vertically[4](https://support.apple.com/en-gb/112597). The 2560 by 1440 resolution was the standard for displays of this size and price at launch[5](https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Apple%2BThunderbolt%2BDisplay%2BTeardown/6525). The enclosure follows Apple's aluminum-and-glass design, with a glossy glass front over the panel[1](https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2011/07/20Apple-Introduces-Worlds-First-Thunderbolt-Display/) • [7](https://www.anandtech.com/Show/Index/4832?all=False&cPage=26&page=1&slug=the-apple-thunderbolt-display-review&sort=0). The unit weighs 23.5 pounds (10.8 kg) and stands 19.35 inches (49.1 cm) tall[4](https://support.apple.com/en-gb/112597).
The panel itself is an LG LM270WQ1, the same 27-inch 2560×1440 [IPS panel](https://www.edgepedia.org/ips-panel) used in Apple's 27-inch iMac, the 27-inch [Cinema Display](https://www.edgepedia.org/apple-cinema-display), and Dell's UltraSharp U2711[8](https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2011/09/thunderbolt-display-packs-almost-enough-hardware-to-be-an-imac/). Reviewers noted that its 12 ms response time and 16.7 million colors fell short of competing displays such as Dell's U2711, which offered a 6 ms response time and 1.07 billion colors[5](https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Apple%2BThunderbolt%2BDisplay%2BTeardown/6525).
## Single-cable docking
The display's central feature is its use of [Thunderbolt](https://www.edgepedia.org/thunderbolt), Intel's dual-protocol interconnect that carries [PCI Express](https://www.edgepedia.org/pci-express) data and [DisplayPort](https://www.edgepedia.org/displayport) video over one cable at 10 Gbps bidirectional speeds[9](https://download.intel.com/newsroom/kits/computex/2012/pdfs/2012_Computex_Thunderbolt_FactSheet_English.pdf). A single Thunderbolt connection to the host Mac carries video for the display itself and data for the display's built-in peripherals, replacing the Mini DisplayPort and USB cables its Cinema Display predecessor required[2](https://www.macworld.com/article/214359/first-look-apple-thunderbolt-display.html).
Through that one cable a connected Mac gains access to the display's FaceTime camera, audio, and its rear port array: three powered USB 2.0 ports, a FireWire 800 port, a [Gigabit Ethernet](https://www.edgepedia.org/gigabit-ethernet) port, and a second Thunderbolt port for daisy-chaining devices such as external RAID arrays[1](https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2011/07/20Apple-Introduces-Worlds-First-Thunderbolt-Display/) • [10](https://www.macrumors.com/2011/09/06/apple-27-thunderbolt-displays-shipping-to-stores/). A built-in Universal MagSafe cable delivers up to 85 W to charge a connected [MacBook Pro](https://www.edgepedia.org/macbook-pro) or [MacBook Air](https://www.edgepedia.org/macbook-air)[4](https://support.apple.com/en-gb/112597). Macworld's testing confirmed the arrangement in practice: a 2011 MacBook Pro connected through the display could mount Thunderbolt and FireWire RAID arrays, reach the LAN through the display's Ethernet port, and drive additional displays daisy-chained through a Promise Pegasus R6[2](https://www.macworld.com/article/214359/first-look-apple-thunderbolt-display.html).
The display requires a Thunderbolt-enabled Mac running OS X v10.6.8 or later; at launch the [Mac Pro](https://www.edgepedia.org/mac-pro) was the only Mac line without Thunderbolt and could not use it[4](https://support.apple.com/en-gb/112597) • [2](https://www.macworld.com/article/214359/first-look-apple-thunderbolt-display.html).
## Internals
iFixit's September 2011 teardown found hardware dense enough that, in the words of iFixit's Miro Djuric, it was hard to believe there was no computer inside; the display is essentially a 27-inch iMac without the Intel processor and internal storage[8](https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2011/09/thunderbolt-display-packs-almost-enough-hardware-to-be-an-imac/). The logic board carries a Light Ridge Thunderbolt controller, a Broadcom BCM57761 Gigabit Ethernet controller, an SMSC USB 2.0 hub controller, an LSI open host controller interface for FireWire 800, and a Maxim MAX9736B Class D amplifier driving the 49 W 2.1 speaker system[6](https://www.ifixit.com/News/14322/apple-thunderbolt-display-teardown) • [8](https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2011/09/thunderbolt-display-packs-almost-enough-hardware-to-be-an-imac/).
The Flextronics power supply provides 250 W of maximum continuous power, needed to run the panel, LED backlight, and the powered ports while charging a MacBook Pro[6](https://www.ifixit.com/News/14322/apple-thunderbolt-display-teardown) • [4](https://support.apple.com/en-gb/112597). One unusual design choice was the internal Thunderbolt connection: rather than soldering the built-in cable to the logic board, Apple fitted an internal Thunderbolt port secured with a screw-on plastic clamp[8](https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2011/09/thunderbolt-display-packs-almost-enough-hardware-to-be-an-imac/). The teardown required no proprietary tools, only heavy-duty suction cups, Torx T6 and T10 screwdrivers, and a spudger, earning an 8 out of 10 repairability score[6](https://www.ifixit.com/News/14322/apple-thunderbolt-display-teardown).
## Discontinuation and later use
Apple retired the Thunderbolt Display in June 2016 without announcing a replacement, directing customers to third-party displays[3](https://www.macrumors.com/2021/06/03/apple-thunderbolt-display-now-considered-vintage/). The product had not been updated since 2011, and by 2016 its 2560×1440 panel looked dated as 4K monitors spread across all price points[3](https://www.macrumors.com/2021/06/03/apple-thunderbolt-display-now-considered-vintage/). Apple added the display to its vintage products list in 2021[3](https://www.macrumors.com/2021/06/03/apple-thunderbolt-display-now-considered-vintage/).
The display remains usable with modern Macs through Apple's Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter, which connects a Thunderbolt 3 Mac to devices using Thunderbolt or Thunderbolt 2 cables[11](https://support.apple.com/en-ie/111753). Two constraints apply. The adapter does not receive power over Thunderbolt, so using it with the Thunderbolt Display requires a separate power source for the adapter[11](https://support.apple.com/en-ie/111753). The adapter also does not support DisplayPort or [Mini DisplayPort](https://www.edgepedia.org/mini-displayport) devices, so it cannot be used with the older Apple LED Cinema Display, and the Thunderbolt Display itself requires a host with a Thunderbolt port rather than a plain DisplayPort source[11](https://support.apple.com/en-ie/111753).
## References
1. [Apple Introduces World's First Thunderbolt Display, Apple Newsroom (July 20, 2011)](https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2011/07/20Apple-Introduces-Worlds-First-Thunderbolt-Display/)
2. [First Look: Apple Thunderbolt Display, Macworld (September 16, 2011)](https://www.macworld.com/article/214359/first-look-apple-thunderbolt-display.html)
3. [Apple's Thunderbolt Display Classified as 'Vintage' Amid Rumors of a Replacement, MacRumors (June 3, 2021)](https://www.macrumors.com/2021/06/03/apple-thunderbolt-display-now-considered-vintage/)
4. [Apple Thunderbolt Display – Technical Specifications, Apple Support](https://support.apple.com/en-gb/112597)
5. [Apple Thunderbolt Display Teardown, iFixit](https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Apple%2BThunderbolt%2BDisplay%2BTeardown/6525)
6. [Apple Thunderbolt Display Teardown, iFixit News (September 28, 2011)](https://www.ifixit.com/News/14322/apple-thunderbolt-display-teardown)
7. [The Apple Thunderbolt Display Review, AnandTech (September 23, 2011)](https://www.anandtech.com/Show/Index/4832?all=False&cPage=26&page=1&slug=the-apple-thunderbolt-display-review&sort=0)
8. [Thunderbolt Display packs almost enough hardware to be an iMac, Ars Technica (September 28, 2011)](https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2011/09/thunderbolt-display-packs-almost-enough-hardware-to-be-an-imac/)
9. [Thunderbolt Technology Fact Sheet, Intel (June 2012)](https://download.intel.com/newsroom/kits/computex/2012/pdfs/2012_Computex_Thunderbolt_FactSheet_English.pdf)
10. [Apple 27" Thunderbolt Displays Shipping to Stores, MacRumors (September 6, 2011)](https://www.macrumors.com/2011/09/06/apple-27-thunderbolt-displays-shipping-to-stores/)
11. [About the Apple Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter, Apple Support](https://support.apple.com/en-ie/111753)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Technology and the built world › Computing and digital systems › Computer hardware › Boards, peripherals & form factors › Peripherals & expansion hardware › Output peripherals (printers, displays, audio output)*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 15, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026 · Last review: Oct 15, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license