How to use Thunderbolt Display with Laptop
There are two ways of connecting to the TB Display: either using the built-in 'male' cable, or the TB port on the back. Both are "miniDisplayPort" connectors, and can function as 'dumb' video connectors if you can get some connection from your laptop (USB-C, HDMI, etc) to a miniDisplayPort connector (either male or female).

If you are connecting via a non-Thunderbolt connection, then you won't get all the Thunderbolt goodness of the speakers, extra ports, webcam, etc.