Tip for extended monitor users...

[ScottyS]

Thanks J515OP, now it's clearer in my mind.

 

[ScottyS]

Oh, but that raises one question, can I get a mini Display Port-Display Port adapter for the Surface Pro and plug it into an Apple Thunderbolt monitor and have the video work (without the USB 3 data)?

 

[J515OP]

Oh, but that raises one question, can I get a mini Display Port-Display Port adapter for the Surface Pro and plug it into an Apple Thunderbolt monitor and have the video work (without the USB 3 data)?

Yes, there are adapters for all of the combinations of DisplayPort, mini to regular, DP to HDMI, DP to DVI etc. You are correct if you plug in DisplayPort to Thunderbolt you get the video portion only not the data capability. So Thunderbolt is backwards compatible with DisplayPort just like you can use USB 2 devices in a USB 3 port but will only get USB 2 speeds.

JP