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Best way to connect my monitor to new Mini

S

Smashmax

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Nov 10, 2018
23
5
US
I have a new base model Mac Mini coming this Wednesday and I am very excited. But I just remembered one issue... the monitor connection.

I have a 27” Asus with 2560x1440 resolution that is currently connected to my MacBook Air. I have a cable that goes from Mini DisplayPort on the MBA to large size DisplayPort on the monitor.

What is the best method to connect that monitor to my new Mac Mini? What cable should I order from Amazon (Prime preferably so it’s here by Wednesday)?

If I understand it correctly, the HDMI port won’t give me full resolution.
 
You definitely want to use an input port on the Asus that is digital. Without knowing what other ports are available on the Asus, the DisplayPort should give you good results. (native resolution) Avoid using a VGA port if the Asus has one.
 
chscag said:
You definitely want to use an input port on the Asus that is digital. Without knowing what other ports are available on the Asus, the DisplayPort should give you good results. (native resolution) Avoid using a VGA port if the Asus has one.
Click to expand...
But there is no DisplayPort on the Mini.

The Asus is a PB278Q and the ports are listed as “HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI-D and VGA (D-Sub)”.
 
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Alright, same question for me: new Mac Mini I7 on it's way. I'll be hooking up a OWC Thunderbay 4 for storage to one of the USB-C ports. New monitor ordered as well, LG 34UC80-B 3440x1440 34" curved Ultrawide. Monitor has HDMI and Displayport as possible inputs, so the choice is HDMI to HDMI or USB-C to Displayport. Experiences/suggestions??
 
I'd use HDMI to displayport. I use that on another monitor/computer. Keeps your USB-C ports free for other things.
[doublepost=1542137708][/doublepost]
fandsw said:
Alright, same question for me: new Mac Mini I7 on it's way. I'll be hooking up a OWC Thunderbay 4 for storage to one of the USB-C ports. New monitor ordered as well, LG 34UC80-B 3440x1440 34" curved Ultrawide. Monitor has HDMI and Displayport as possible inputs, so the choice is HDMI to HDMI or USB-C to Displayport. Experiences/suggestions??
Click to expand...
HDMI. Keep it simple. I also have a 34" 3440x1440 monitor but Dell. HDMI from mini to HDMI on monitor. Works great.
 
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archer75 said:
[doublepost=1542137708][/doublepost]
HDMI. Keep it simple. I also have a 34" 3440x1440 monitor but Dell. HDMI from mini to HDMI on monitor. Works great.
Click to expand...

Thanks!! That was my hope, but I wanted to do a quick doublecheck before the Amazon 2 day window closes.....
 
Are there any advantages in connecting a USB-C/Thunderbolt monitor to the Mac Mini? I do know that the monitor cannot power the Mini like it could a Macbook. I'm getting a new monitor (probably LG 27UK850 since it seems to be popular amongst Apple folk and it's just within my price range) and have been mostly looking at USB-C models thinking that I might as well take advantage of the latest tech.
 
archer75 said:
I'd use HDMI to displayport. I use that on another monitor/computer. Keeps your USB-C ports free for other things.
[doublepost=1542137708][/doublepost]
HDMI. Keep it simple. I also have a 34" 3440x1440 monitor but Dell. HDMI from mini to HDMI on monitor. Works great.
Click to expand...
Wait a second, I was under the impression that HDMI couldn't support 2560x1440 resolution?


Second question, if HDMI can support a high resolution like that, why not just use an HDMI to HDMI cable? Why do you recommend HDMI to DisplayPort?
 
Smashmax said:
Wait a second, I was under the impression that HDMI couldn't support 2560x1440 resolution?


Second question, if HDMI can support a high resolution like that, why not just use an HDMI to HDMI cable? Why do you recommend HDMI to DisplayPort?
Click to expand...
Of course HDMI can support it. It's used for 4k TV's after all. Even HDMI 1.4 could support 4k resolution just at 30fps. Though HDMI 2.0 can go to 4k 60fps and supports slightly higher bandwidth than displayport. HDMI 2.1 can support 10k resolution at 120fps with much higher bandwidth.
I would always use HDMI. Though I was under the impression your monitor was a displayport? Perhaps I read that wrong. So if your monitor also has HDMI I would just use that.
 
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I added a little more info in my second post.

My monitor is an Asus PB278Q and the ports are listed as “HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI-D and VGA (D-Sub)”.

From what I read, the HDMI port will not give the maximum resolution. So that must be why I thought that HDMI couldn't handle it, because the port on this monitor can't- or at least that's the way I understand it.
 
Smashmax said:
I added a little more info in my second post.

My monitor is an Asus PB278Q and the ports are listed as “HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI-D and VGA (D-Sub)”.

From what I read, the HDMI port will not give the maximum resolution. So that must be why I thought that HDMI couldn't handle it, because the port on this monitor can't- or at least that's the way I understand it.
Click to expand...
HDMI will work fine for it.
 
Smashmax said:
I added a little more info in my second post.

My monitor is an Asus PB278Q and the ports are listed as “HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI-D and VGA (D-Sub)”.

From what I read, the HDMI port will not give the maximum resolution. So that must be why I thought that HDMI couldn't handle it, because the port on this monitor can't- or at least that's the way I understand it.
Click to expand...

Looks like your monitor can handle it via HDMI natively. From ASUS' website:

Envision bigger with 2560 x 1440 WQHD, packing four times the pixel density of 720p! New premium 16:9 wide-format PB278Q LED displays afford 178° wide viewing angles for better productivity, opening extra multitasking space to fit more windows and projects on-screen. ASUS exclusive Splendid Video Intelligence Technology, QuickFit Virtual Scale, and 100% sRGB fidelity ensure reality-defining color and image accuracy, giving you true “what you imagine is what you create” power. HDMI 1.4, DisplayPort 1.2, and dual-link DVI support WQHD natively, accentuated by room-dominating audio via twin 3W speakers. To help you stay naturally focused, ergonomic design includes tilt, swivel, pivot, and height adjustment, plus streamlined cabling that keeps clutter off your desktop.
 
If your monitor does 60hz then you should use the USB-C to DisplayPort to utilise that since it seems your hdmi port is 1.4 which maxes out at 30hz. Also if your screen supports 10-bit, it will only be over DP.

EDIT: I misread that you had a 4K monitor. Never mind. You'll be fine with hdmi.
 
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Ok, thanks for all the replies guys.

I got my Mac Mini today and connected it with the USB-C to DisplayPort cable I bought from Amazon. It works fine, it is showing that it's running at 2560x1440 @ 59.88 hz.

So would there be any benefit to switch to HDMI now? I already spent the $18 on this cable, so if everything will be the same, I might as well keep it. But if there is an advantage to using HDMI, I will switch. Thanks!

BTW, the reason why I thought the HDMI port on this monitor wouldn't handle the higher resolution is because a bunch of people said that in the reviews on Amazon, but they are not alway accurate.
 
Smashmax said:
Ok, thanks for all the replies guys.

I got my Mac Mini today and connected it with the USB-C to DisplayPort cable I bought from Amazon. It works fine, it is showing that it's running at 2560x1440 @ 59.88 hz.

So would there be any benefit to switch to HDMI now? I already spent the $18 on this cable, so if everything will be the same, I might as well keep it. But if there is an advantage to using HDMI, I will switch. Thanks!

BTW, the reason why I thought the HDMI port on this monitor wouldn't handle the higher resolution is because a bunch of people said that in the reviews on Amazon, but they are not alway accurate.
Click to expand...
The advantage is you would free up a USB-C port. Beyond that it doesn't matter which cable you use.
 
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