Which apple computer to get

Identify the ports on your Mac

If you’re not sure which port to use with your external display, hard drive, camera, printer, iPhone, iPad, or other device, the port shapes and symbols in this guide should help.

Information about these and other types of Mac ports is in the specifications for your Mac:

1. Choose Apple menu  > About This Mac, double-click your serial number, then press Command-C to copy it.
2. Go to the Tech Specs page, click the Search Tech Specs bar, press Command-V to enter your computer’s serial number, then click Search.
3. Click the specs page for your Mac.

Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C)

These Mac models have Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports:

You can connect external displays and other devices that connect using a Thunderbolt 4 cable, Thunderbolt 3 cable, or USB-C cable. You can also connect a USB-C charge cable to charge your notebook, or a USB-C to Lightning cable to charge your iPhone or iPad. If you have a device that doesn’t connect to this port, you can use an adapter to connect it.

Thunderbolt / USB 4

These Mac models have Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports:

You can connect a single external display and other devices that connect using either a Thunderbolt 3 cable or USB-C cable. You can also connect a USB-C charge cable to charge your notebook, or a USB-C to Lightning cable to charge your iPhone or iPad. If you have a device that doesn’t connect to this port, you can use an adapter to connect it.

On iMac (24-inch, M1, 2021), the symbol appears above each Thunderbolt / USB 4 port. To connect a display, use either of the ports with the Thunderbolt symbol .

Thunderbolt 3

These Mac models have Thunderbolt 3 ports:

• iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2020)
• iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2019)
• iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, 2019)
• iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2017)
• iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, 2017)
• iMac (21.5-inch, 2017)
• iMac Pro
• Mac Pro (2019)
• Mac Pro (Rack, 2019)
• Mac mini (2018)
• MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2020)
• MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2019)
• MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2018)
• MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)
• MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
• MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019)
• MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)
• MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2019)
• MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
• MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2018)
• MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
• MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2017)
• MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
• MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)
• MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2016)
• MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
• MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)

Use these ports with displays and other devices that connect using either a Thunderbolt 3 cable or USB-C cable. You can also connect a USB-C power adapter and cable to charge your notebook computer. If you have a device that doesn’t connect to this port, you can use an adapter to connect it.

If your Mac notebook or desktop computer has more than one port like this, each port supports Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C.

USB 3

These Mac models have USB 3 ports:

• iMac (24-inch, M1, 2021) with four ports
• MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, 2017)
• MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2016)
• MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2015)

On MacBook, use this port with displays and other devices that connect using a USB-C cable. You can also connect a USB-C power adapter and cable to charge your notebook computer. If you have a device that doesn’t connect to this port, you can use an adapter to connect it.

On iMac (four-port model only), use the USB 3 ports with external devices that connect using a USB-C cable. To connect an external display, use either of the ports with the Thunderbolt symbol .

These Mac models have an HDMI port:

• MacBook Pro introduced in 2021
• MacBook Pro introduced in 2012 through 2015
• Mac mini introduced in 2010 or later
• Mac Pro introduced in 2013 or later

Use HDMI with displays and TVs that connect using an HDMI cable.

SD card

These Mac models have an SDXC card slot:

• MacBook Pro introduced in 2021
• MacBook Pro introduced in 2011 through 2015
• Mac mini introduced in 2011 through 2014
• 13-inch MacBook Air models introduced in 2013 through 2017
• 27-inch iMac models introduced in 2010 or later
• 21.5-inch iMac models introduced in 2010 or later

Use the SD card slot with SD, SDHC, SDXC, MMC, and UHS-II media cards, such as those used by digital cameras.

Ethernet

Use Ethernet with networks and devices that connect using an Ethernet (RJ45) cable.

On some iMac models, the Ethernet port is located on the computer’s power adapter. If your power adapter doesn’t have an Ethernet port, you can use an Ethernet adapter.

Power

Use the power port on your Mac notebook to connect your computer to AC power using a USB-C to MagSafe 3 cable and USB-C power adapter, MagSafe 2 power adapter, or MagSafe power adapter. Some Mac notebooks have a dedicated charging port while others use only USB-C ports to charge.

MagSafe 2 and MagSafe power adapters are not compatible with MagSafe 3.

Audio

Use Audio-Out — or — with headphones, speakers, and other audio-output devices that connect using an audio cable that has a 3.5 mm (1/8 inch) audio jack. On 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with Apple silicon, you can connect high-impedance headphones to the 3.5mm audio jack.

Use Audio-In with a microphone or other audio-input device that connects using an audio cable that has a 3.5 mm (1/8 inch) audio jack.

Use these ports with devices that connect using a USB-A cable. USB ports are sometimes known by the USB specification of the port, such as USB 2 or USB 3.

Thunderbolt

These Mac models have Thunderbolt or Thunderbolt 2 ports:

• MacBook Pro introduced in 2011 through 2015
• MacBook Air introduced in 2011 through 2017
• Mac mini introduced in 2011 through 2014
• iMac introduced in 2011 through 2015
• Mac Pro introduced in 2013

Use these ports with displays and other devices that connect using a Thunderbolt cable.

Thunderbolt and Thunderbolt 2 are not the same as Mini DisplayPort . They have the same shape, but use different symbols on the cable and port. However, this port does support Mini DisplayPort for video output, so you can use a Mini DisplayPort cable to connect a Mini DisplayPort display.

Mini DisplayPort

These Mac models have Mini DisplayPort:

• MacBook Pro introduced in late 2008 through 2010
• MacBook Air introduced in late 2008 through 2010
• Mac mini introduced in 2009 and 2010
• iMac introduced in 2009 and 2010
• Mac Pro introduced in 2009 through 2012

Use this port with displays that connect using a Mini DisplayPort cable.

Mini DisplayPort is not the same as Thunderbolt or Thunderbolt 2 . They have the same shape, but use different symbols on the cable and port.

FireWire

FireWire 400

FireWire 800

Use FireWire with devices that connect using a FireWire 400 or FireWire 800 cable.

Learn more

Information about products not manufactured by Apple, or independent websites not controlled or tested by Apple, is provided without recommendation or endorsement. Apple assumes no responsibility with regard to the selection, performance, or use of third-party websites or products. Apple makes no representations regarding third-party website accuracy or reliability. Contact the vendor for additional information.

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Authorize or deauthorize your computer for iTunes Store purchases

Learn how to authorize your computer before you use it to sync or play content that you download from the iTunes Store.

When you authorize your Mac or PC, you give it permission to access your music, movies, and other content.

• You can authorize up to 5 computers, which means that you can play your content on 5 different computers.
• You can’t authorize a computer from another computer or from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.

Before you sell or give away your computer or send it in for service, deauthorize your computer to remove its access to protected purchases. For other devices, learn how to see where you’re signed in or remove devices.

Store availability and features might vary by country or region.

How to authorize a Mac or PC

1. On a Mac, open the Music app, Apple TV app, or Apple Books app. On a PC, open iTunes for Windows.
2. Sign in with your Apple ID.
3. In the menu bar on your Mac or PC, choose Account > Authorizations > Authorize This Computer.
   If you’re asked to authorize your computer again, it won’t use a new authorization. Apple ID uses the same authorization for the same computer.

See your authorized computers

To automatically sign in to your Account Information page from your computer, click here. Or follow these steps:

1. On a Mac, open the Music app, Apple TV app, or Apple Books app. On a PC, open iTunes for Windows.
2. Sign in with your Apple ID.
3. In the menu bar on your Mac or PC, choose Account > View My Account.
   
4. Sign in with your Apple ID.
5. On the Account Information page, scroll to the Apple ID Summary section. You’ll see the number of computers that you’ve authorized with your Apple ID. You can’t see the names of those computers. If you haven’t authorized 2 or more computers, you won’t see this section.
   

If the number of authorized computers listed is more than what you expect, you might not have deauthorized the computers that you no longer use, gave away, or sold. You need to deauthorize all of your computers and then authorize each one that you still use.

Deauthorize a computer

1. On a Mac, open the Music app, Apple TV app, or Apple Books app. On a PC, open iTunes for Windows.
2. From the menu bar at the top of your computer screen, choose Account > Authorizations > Deauthorize This Computer.
3. Sign in with your Apple ID.
4. Choose Deauthorize.

If you run out of authorizations, deauthorize all

If one of your 5 authorizations is on a computer that you don’t use anymore, deauthorize it. If you sold or gave away a computer that’s used one of your 5 authorizations, you need to choose Deauthorize All on the Account Information page. Then authorize each computer that you still use.

About authorizing other Apple devices

You don’t need to authorize your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or other Apple device. These devices don’t use your available authorizations. Learn how to check your Apple ID device list to see where you’re signed in and how to remove a device.

Get help

• Learn what to do if your computer keeps asking you to authorize when you try to play your content.
• You can deauthorize all computers once per year.
• If you don’t see Account in the menu bar at the top of your computer screen or the top of the Music app or iTunes window, check your Restrictions. You might have access to the iTunes Store turned off.

Store availability and features might vary by country or region.

Information about products not manufactured by Apple, or independent websites not controlled or tested by Apple, is provided without recommendation or endorsement. Apple assumes no responsibility with regard to the selection, performance, or use of third-party websites or products. Apple makes no representations regarding third-party website accuracy or reliability. Contact the vendor for additional information.

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