Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Connecting 2 DVI Screens on a MD387LL/A Mac Mini

fskywalker

fskywalker

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Nov 6, 2009
1,223
3
Hi, One of my 2 home's Windows based desktops recently died and am considering to purchase an Mac Desktop as a replacement. I'm considering a MD387LL/A Mac Mini as the replacement and re-use my two Samsung 16 inch monitors, but have 2 questions:

specs_ports.jpg


1- Looking at the rear panel of the Mac Mini I understand the supplied video adapter would go on the HDMI port. Can I get the second DVI output from the thunderbolt port?

2- I have a 256GB SSD from my Retina MacBook Pro on an external enclosure since swap it with a bigger (512GB) unit shortly after I purchased the laptop. Can I somehow install it on the Mac Mini? I noticed there ia an option for an SSD from Apple but wonder what is the connector would need to adapt it.

Thanks,

Francisco
 
Last edited:
fskywalker said:
1- Looking at the rear panel of the Mac Mini I understand the supplied video adapter would go on the HDMI port. Can I get the second DVI output from the thunderbolt port?
Click to expand...
Yes, the TB port can be used with a Mini DisplayPort to DVI adapter.
Mini DisplayPort (MDP) / Thunderbolt
Mini DisplayPort is the current digital standard on all current Macs to transfer video to an external display or TV. It has been introduced in 10/2008 with the release of the Unibody MacBook and MacBook Pros and has gradually been adopted on all other Macs.
MDP is capable of transmitting video, and since 2010, audio too. MDP is a miniaturised version of DisplayPort. It is also license free and can support resolutions of up to 2560 x 1600, which Mini DVI and Micro DVI are not able to do.
Since 2011, all Macs come with a Thunderbolt port, which is meant for fast data transfer and also as means to connect to an external display device to mirror or extend the Mac's screen.
To learn more about Thunderbolt (TB) and its compatibility with Mini DisplayPort (MDP): Introducing Thunderbolt​
MR_video_out_Mac_Mini_DP.png
MDP adapters and cables can be bought online from:


Also of interest: "What is "Mini DisplayPort"? Is it an industry-standard? How is it different from or better than Mini-DVI and Micro-DVI?"
​
Click to expand...

2- I have a 256GB SSD from my Retina MacBook Pro on an external enclosure since swap it with a bigger (512GB) unit shortly after I purchased the laptop. Can I somehow install it on the Mac Mini? I noticed there ia an option for an SSD from Apple but wonder what is the connector would need to adapt it.
Click to expand...
It will not fit, as it is a custom made SSD in the MacBook Pro with Retina Display, the Mac mini (Mm) uses a 2.5" SSD.
Did you not get an enclosure from OWC/MacSales for the flash storage module you have taken out of the MacBook Pro with Retina Display?
 
simsaladimbamba said:
Yes, the TB port can be used with a Mini DisplayPort to DVI adapter.



It will not fit, as it is a custom made SSD in the MacBook Pro with Retina Display, the Mac mini (Mm) uses a 2.5" SSD.
Did you not get an enclosure from OWC/MacSales for the flash storage module you have taken out of the MacBook Pro with Retina Display?
Click to expand...

I did not bought the OWC SSD, but rather the OEM 512GB SSD pulled out from a rMBP and did not bought their enclosure neither. I do have the adapter from the Apple custom connector to the standard connector used by regular SSD's and a USB 3.0 case with adapter as well. From what you wrote guess already have the adapter I need.
 
Giuly said:
T16Z2TXhhnXXcaOurX_115013.jpg


If you have the whole shebang with the 2.5" enclosure, it surely works. If you only have the board, then not so much.
Click to expand...

This is what I have:

Retina%2520SSD%2520Adapter.jpg


I think mine should work, but thanks for the info! What speed are you getting out of the OEM SSD with that enclosure? I wonder how does it compare with its use directly without an adapter.

This is the speed I got from the 256GB SSD when it was still installed in the rMBP:

DiskSpeedTest%2520256gb%2520Drive%252010-6-2012.png


This is how the speed dropped when I installed it on the USB 3.0 enclosure with the adapter shown above:

DiskSpeedTest%2520Disco%2520Externo%2520256GB%252010-13-2012.png




Thanks
 
Last edited:
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
fskywalker said:
This is what I have:

Image

I think mine should work, but thanks for the info! What speed are you getting out of the OEM SSD with that enclosure? I wonder how does it compare with its use directly without an adapter.
Click to expand...
Yes, it does work electrically, but you will have to use duct tape or zip ties to mount it inside the Mac Mini.

It's as fast, because it's just a different plug.
 
Last edited:
Giuly said:
Yes, it does work electrically, but you will have to use duct tape to mount it inside the Mac Mini.

It's as fast, because it's just a different plug.
Click to expand...

Do you mind running the Black Magic test on yours and shring an image of the results here? I think there will be some degradation on the conversion circuit from one connector style to the other one, many circuits today are build in China to sub quality standards (like mine :( ) and want to avoid this to happen again.

Thanks
 
Giuly said:
There is no conversion, it's just a piece of wire (Plus a MOSFET and four capacitors for the power supply).

The speed drops in your USB 3.0 enclosure because the enclosure itself is subpar Chinese quality and uses a slow chipset.
Click to expand...

That figures, thanks.

Still would like to see a speed test; had someone else here done such conversion?
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back