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2012 Mac mini = dual monitor set up?

D

dapitts08

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jul 1, 2009
155
0
so i have a question about setting up dual monitors on my late 2012 mac mini that i just purchased

right now i have a late 2008 24 inch cinema display connected via displayport/thunderbolt

i want to add another 24 inch monitor (non-apple)

would i just hook the second monitor via hdmi and be good to go?

anything i should consider when researching the second monitor?
 
Yep - just hook it up and you should be set. There is nothing specific to look for in a monitor in terms of compatibility, except for either HDMI or DVI using the included adapter. Max supported resolution on the HDMI port is 1920x1200, but since you are getting a 24" display that shouldn't be a factor.
 
COrocket said:
Yep - just hook it up and you should be set. There is nothing specific to look for in a monitor in terms of compatibility, except for either HDMI or DVI using the included adapter. Max supported resolution on the HDMI port is 1920x1200, but since you are getting a 24" display that shouldn't be a factor.
Click to expand...

perfect! thanks.

what if i decided to get a bigger monitor?
are there issues i should consider?

i planned on going with the 24 inch monitor since I already have one and I figured the same size would be best.

however, i am not opposed to a 27 inch or slightly larger monitor if I find one in the right price range
 
dapitts08 said:
perfect! thanks.

what if i decided to get a bigger monitor?
are there issues i should consider?

i planned on going with the 24 inch monitor since I already have one and I figured the same size would be best.

however, i am not opposed to a 27 inch or slightly larger monitor if I find one in the right price range
Click to expand...

Monitor size does not create issues, but rather resolution. If you get something higher than 1920x1200, you would have to use the minidisplay port because that port supports up to 2560x1600. Higher end 27" monitors are usually this resolution. In that case, you would have to transfer the ACD over to HDMI (I'm not too familiar with ACD connections).

Or, less expensive 27" monitors are 1920x1080, so a larger monitor like that could still utilize the HDMI port.
 
COrocket said:
Monitor size does not create issues, but rather resolution. If you get something higher than 1920x1200, you would have to use the minidisplay port because that port supports up to 2560x1600. Higher end 27" monitors are usually this resolution. In that case, you would have to transfer the ACD over to HDMI (I'm not too familiar with ACD connections).

Or, less expensive 27" monitors are 1920x1080, so a larger monitor like that could still utilize the HDMI port.
Click to expand...

thanks so i just want to be sure i understand completely.

from what you just said, it sounds like with my current set up, i would NOT have the option of a 2560x1600 resolution monitor.

my ACD is a late 2008 and only has the display port... no hdmi .. and is currently connected to the mini via the thunderbolt port

so the only option for me is a monitor that can be connected via hdmi

so based on what you said, i should only be looking at monitors up to 1920 x 1200... correct?
 
dapitts08 said:
thanks so i just want to be sure i understand completely.

from what you just said, it sounds like with my current set up, i would NOT have the option of a 2560x1600 resolution monitor.

my ACD is a late 2008 and only has the display port... no hdmi .. and is currently connected to the mini via the thunderbolt port

so the only option for me is a monitor that can be connected via hdmi

so based on what you said, i should only be looking at monitors up to 1920 x 1200... correct?
Click to expand...
There are HDMI to displayport adapters available. However I couldn't find any in the proper gender to allow the ACD cable to plug into the HDMI port on the mini. So yes, it would be advisable to look for a monitor up to 1920x1200 to plug straight into the mini's HDMI port
 
thanks everyone.

does anyone have experience with monitors with built in tv tuners?

any recommendations?

any reasons i shouldn't consider adding one to my set up?

i am a graphic and web designer.
i also do not have cable and watch all of my tv online.
i also have an antenna that i use on my tv now to get HD channels
my tv needs a major upgrade but adding a 2nd monitor is my preference.
i also have a wii u and would like to hook that up to the monitor if i do the hybrid.

so far the only monitor with a tv tuner i have looked at is this:

http://www.frys.com/product/6271620
 
Mac mini dual monitor setup

Hello , I have a Mid 2011 Mac mini with 16GB of RAM and a AMD Radeon HD 6630M (256MB RAM) Video card. I too have been wrestling with this dual 2560x1600 configuration ever since I first purchased my Mac mini.

I am now successfully running my two Dell 3007WFPHC 30in monitors. I am using the additional hardware:

1 - Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter
(http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB571Z/A/mini-displayport-to-dual-link-dvi-ada pter)

2 - USB 3.0 to DisplayPort® External Video Card Multi Monitor Adapter – 2560x1600
(http://www.startech.com/AV/USB-Video-Adapters/USB-3-to-Displayport-Video-Card-Mu lti-Monitor-Adapter-2560x1600~USB32DPPRO)

3 - Dell XT625 BizLink DisplayPort to DVI-D Dual Link Adapter
(http://www.amazon.com/Dell-BIZLINK-DisplayPort-Adapter-Powered/dp/B003XYBA72)
I actually got this item on ebay for roughly around $41.00

Both displays are running 2560 x 1600 resolution quite nicely. Everything is working SWEET!

Hope this helps. Thanks
 
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Guys i have dell u2711 connected via displayport. can i connect TV Set with 1080p resolution via hdmi?
Will be there any issues? the resolution will be different on them.

Good to know that OS X 10.9 add dual display support.
 
Last edited:
volodymyrqa said:
Guys i have dell u2711 connected via displayport. can i connect TV Set with 1080p resolution via hdmi?
Will be there any issues? the resolution will be different on them.

Good to know that OS X 10.9 add dual display support.
Click to expand...

Os X already supports dual display ;)
But it will get an update, so it will be more customizable and versatile.

But you can already hook up your tv like you suggested.
 
volodymyrqa said:
Guys i have dell u2711 connected via displayport. can i connect TV Set with 1080p resolution via hdmi?
Will be there any issues? the resolution will be different on them.

Good to know that OS X 10.9 add dual display support.
Click to expand...



Dual Display is capable since 2010 on mini back then the OS was Snow Leopard (10.6) .. 10.9 possible 2014 release -- so by your saying… but in truth 4+ years of dual display capable …


10.9 is still dream of features for the next OS, that Mavericks 10.8 soon to be release to public … :eek:
 
Last edited:
iPhil said:
Dual Display is capable since 2010 on mini back then the OS was Snow Leopard (10.6) .. 10.9 possible 2014 release -- so by your saying… but in truth 4+ years of dual display capable …


10.9 is still dream of features for the next OS, that Mavericks 10.8 soon to be release to public … :eek:
Click to expand...

Mavericks is 10.9 :)
 
Using Mac Mini 2012. My main monitor is connected HDMI-to-HDMI. If I want to connect a VGA monitor should I use USB or MDP, or doesn't it matter? And do I need an active adaptor, or is that just for higher resolutions?

They don't make this easy, do they.
 
fatboyhouston said:
Using Mac Mini 2012. My main monitor is connected HDMI-to-HDMI. If I want to connect a VGA monitor should I use USB or MDP, or doesn't it matter? And do I need an active adaptor, or is that just for higher resolutions?

They don't make this easy, do they.
Click to expand...

You just need a Mini-displayport to VGA. will cost you less than $10. The MDP dongle will plug into the Thunderbolt port.
 
I got the Amazon basics MDP-to-VGA in the end. Works great. I guess you don't need active adaptors when using MDP.
 
I ended up getting the cheap passive Thunderbolt to SVGA Adapter for my ASUS VS247 24 " HD Monitor, and just ran an HDMI cable to my Vizio E422VA 42 "TV.

The problem I had was finding a KVM for the ASUS so I could switch between my PC, and other Mac. The key to that was a D-Link DKVM -4U USB. I had bought a Belkin something or other KVM for 2 days. It had 5 stars and rave reviews. But it constantly reset the resolution when switching between PC and Mac. D -Link was less expensive about 40% cheaper and is amazing :)
 
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