Apple Moves Closer to Thunderbolt Display Release with MacBook Pro and Mac Mini Firmware Updates - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Apple Moves Closer to Thunderbolt Display Release with MacBook Pro and Mac Mini Firmware Updates

by

Earlier this week, Apple released an EFI firmware update for the company's current MacBook Air models, addressing issues with Lion Recovery over the Internet and several Thunderbolt-related issues including compatibility with the forthcoming Apple Thunderbolt Display. Apple has now followed up that release with a pair of new firmware updates today bringing the same fixes to the current MacBook Pro and Mac mini models.

- Macbook Pro EFI Firmware Update 2.2 (4.17 MB)

This update enables Lion Recovery from an Internet connection and includes fixes that resolve issues with Apple Thunderbolt Display compatibility and Thunderbolt Target Disk Mode performance on MacBook Pro (early 2011) models.

thunderbolt displays macbook pro

- Mac mini EFI Firmware Update 1.3 (4.26 MB)

This update includes fixes that enhance the stability of Lion Recovery from an Internet connection, and resolve issues with Apple Thunderbolt Display compatibility and Thunderbolt Target Disk Mode performance on Mac Mini (mid 2011) models.

thunderbolt display mac mini
Apple has begun shipping the Apple Thunderbolt Display to stores and resellers, and should be delivering them to customers in the near future.

Related Roundups: MacBook Pro, Mac mini
Buyer's Guide: Mac Mini (Don't Buy)
Related Forum: Mac mini

Top Rated Comments

qrayg Avatar
194 months ago
For those with the 24" ACD, hopefully this fixes the flickering/blackouts.
I'm really hoping this makes my new Mac mini usable with my 24" ACD. It blacks out and scrambles every few minutes.

Fingers crossed.

EDIT:
For the first 24 hours after installing the EFI update everything was fine, but this morning I had another black flash. Looks like it is still not fixed. I'm beginning to wonder if it is even fixable at all. Why would it take this long for Apple to do something about this issue? Even more troubling is why Apple didn't test the less-than-a-year-old 24" ACD with the Thunderbolt port.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
194 months ago
Dell U2410

Can anyone confirm that this fixes the issue seen with 2011 MBPros using minidisplayport to HDMI adapters? The issue causes the monitor to be seen as a Television and the images looks like garbage as a result
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
194 months ago
For those with the 24" ACD, hopefully this fixes the flickering/blackouts.

Edit: according to the Apple discussions, the issues persist :(
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

apple silicon feature joeblue

Apple Silicon Exec Explains Mac Mini AI Demand and On-Device Future

Monday July 6, 2026 5:10 am PDT by
Apple's Mac mini and Mac Studio have become the machines of choice for running AI agents, according to Doug Brooks, Apple's senior product manager of Apple silicon. Brooks made the claim while discussing Apple's chip strategy in a newly published interview with The Deep View conducted just prior to WWDC 2026 in June. Brooks says that the company has seen "incredible demand" for the two...
apple silicon mac lineup 2024 feature purple

Apple to Overhaul Mac Lineup With 11 New Models

Wednesday July 22, 2026 8:13 am PDT by
Apple is preparing to refresh every Mac it sells over the next two years, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The plans come amid a Mac resurgence, with sales projected to climb for a third consecutive year, partly thanks to a growing following among users who lean on the machines for demanding, agent-based AI workloads. The wave of new Macs will begin this fall with a refreshed...
Apple Event Logo

Apple Working on All-New Operating System

Wednesday July 29, 2026 11:39 am PDT by
Apple is developing an all-new operating system that is essentially a mix of tvOS, watchOS, and iOS, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In a report this week, he said the operating system will feature a grid of icons, widgets, and apps, along with customizable clock faces. The new software platform is intended for Apple's long-rumored smart home hub. With built-in facial recognition,...