Mini-display ports have the same shape as a thunderbolt port, but they are not the same.
Turning laptop into desktop pro#
Mini-Display Port: Mini-display ports are found on older Macbook and Macbook Pro models.If your Macbook has a thunderbolt 3 or 4 output, you can connect it to a monitor using a USB-C-to-HDMI adapter. If your Macbook has a Thunderbolt 1 or 2 port and your monitor does not, you will need a thunderbolt-to-HDMI adapter and an HDMI cable to connect your Macbook to your monitor. Thunderbolt 3 & 4 ports are shaped like a USB-C port and have a lightning bolt next to them.
Thunderbolt 1 & 2 ports are rectangle-shaped with two notches on the bottom corners. The port has a lightning bolt icon next to it.
HDMI: HDMI is the most common display connection.Check your laptop for the following display ports: X Research source Different laptops require a different display cable to connect to a monitor. Check what type of display connection your laptop supports.