

Pay attention to the label next to the port to know what cable you need to purchase. Thunderbolt and Thunderbolt 2 output ports are the same shape and size as a Mini DisplayPort, but they are not the same as a Mini DisplayPort. They also have a label that resembles a lightning bolt next to them. These ports are rectangle-shaped with the corners cut out of the bottom. If you have a MacBook Pro produced between 20, or a MacBook Air produced between 20, your MacBook may have a Thunderbolt or Thunderbolt 2 output port.Be sure to purchase a USB-C cable and not a Thunderbolt 3. If you have a MacBook produced after 2015 and it has a single pill-shaped port on the side, your MacBook supports a USB-C connection, but not Thunderbolt 3 connection.You can use a Thunderbolt 3 or USB-C cable in any one of the output ports. MacBooks that support Thunderbolt 3 have multiple output ports on them. Both Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C ports have a small pill-shaped port. If you have a MacBook Pro or MacBook Air produced in 2016 or later, your MacBook supports both Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C output ports.

Depending on the year your MacBook was produced and its make and model, your MacBook may use either a Thunderbolt 3, USB-C, Thunderbolt, Thunderbolt 2, Mini DisplayPort, HDMI port, or USB-A port. Determine which video outputs your MacBook has.
