Does 27" and 30" monitor work on Mac Mini?

[Heinstar]

Hi,

I have the late 2012 Mac Mini. I’m trying to connect 27 inch and 30 inch monitor to it.

I know that I can use the Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI to connect either 27/30 inch monitor. But I'd still need another way to connect the second 27/30 inch monitor either through the HDMI Port or USB 3.0.

I tried using J5Create USB 3.0 to DVI/HDMI Display Adapter to connect the 27 inch monitor but there was an error message about Input timing not been supported. Besides, I realized that J5create only supports up to 2048x1152 resolution so it wouldn't work with 27/30 inch monitor.

So is there a way I could use both 27 inch and 30 inch monitor on my Mac Mini?

Thanks.

 

[mjoshi123]

Hi,

I have the late 2012 Mac Mini. I’m trying to connect 27 inch and 30 inch monitor to it.

I'm currently using the HDMI to Displayport cable for my 27 inch and it works in 2560x1440 resolution but it periodically goes black for few seconds.

I don't know if this is an issue with the cable or it’s because HDMI port aren’t supposed to be used in 2560x1440 resolution. And the refresh rate is displayed as 59.9 Hertz and it’s greyed out so I can’t change it.

I know that I can use the Mini Displayport to Dual-link DVI to connect either 27/30 inch monitor without any issues. But I still need another way to connect the second 27/30 inch monitor either through the HDMI port or USB 3.0.

I tried using J5Create USB 3.0 to DVI/HDMI Display Adapter to connect the 27 inch monitor but there was an error message about the refresh rate and I couldn't use it.

So is there a way to use both 27 inch and 30 inch monitor on my Mac Mini?

Thanks.

I don't think that would be possible, current HDMI on mac mini 2012 is 1.3 version which goes max 1920x1200 and the displayport can only drive one monitor at 2560x1440. I'm in same boat with two 27" monitor with mac mini 2012.

 

[Heinstar]

So I guess the answer is No?

Is my only option to buy ($3999 AUD) Mac Pro?

 

[Fishrrman]

[[ Is my only option to buy ($3999 AUD) Mac Pro? ]]

Current iMacs may support 30" external monitors -- that's just a guess, but I'm sure others in the know will correct this.

The other "option" is to wait for the new Mini, which is supposed to be out pretty soon. It will certainly have improved on-board graphics, and will likely be able to support configurations that the current (late 2012) generation can't...

 

[ElectronGuru]

The problem is not the mini per se but not having two thunderbolt ports. You need either a thunderbolt hub or two thunderbolt displays.

The next mini should have two thunderbolt ports allowing you to run two displayport monitors.

 

[Rob.G]

To clarify -- is it possible to run two 27" Thunderbolt displays on the 2012 Mac Mini (daisy chained) AND run a third off of the HDMI port? Or will it only handle the two 27's?

Thanks!

Rob

 

[CH12671]

In theory..yes, two daisy chained. But I'm not sure if the Mini will handle it. The only caveat, though, is that there will have to be a third TB device (think HDD enclosure) with two TB ports in between the monitors. So the setup would go Mini TB>TBD1>HDD Enclosure>TBD2.

No HDMI connection on the TBD.

 

[Rob.G]

I knew that was the case on the MacBook Pros, but didn't think it was with the Mini. That isn't gonna work if so, because for what it'd cost for an enclosure, I could pretty much upgrade to an iMac. So I guess that's what I'll have to plan to do. This blows.

Rob

 

[xraydoc]

I knew that was the case on the MacBook Pros, but didn't think it was with the Mini. That isn't gonna work if so, because for what it'd cost for an enclosure, I could pretty much upgrade to an iMac. So I guess that's what I'll have to plan to do. This blows.

Rob

This blows? A $599 Mac mini can't run three high resolution monitors and it blows? Hardly. And the requirement for another Thunderbold device between? Nature of the technology, not some arbitrary requirement Apple added just to make your life difficult. The Mac Pro would have the same requirement were you to try to put multiple displays on one TB chain.

----------

The problem is not the mini per se but not having two thunderbolt ports. You need either a thunderbolt hub or two thunderbolt displays.

The next mini should have two thunderbolt ports allowing you to run two displayport monitors.

No such thing as a Thunderbolt hub. You can daisy chain, but there's no such thing as a Thunderbolt port multiplayer.

 

[Heinstar]

Can anyone confirm if this setup would allow me to use 27" and 30" Monitor in full-resolution on Mac Mini?

1) Mac Mini connected to Thunderbolt Port on CalDigit using Thunderbolt Cable[1]

2) 27" Monitor connected to HDMI Port on CalDigit using HDMI Cable

3) CalDigit connected to Thunderbolt Port on LaCie eSATA Hub using Thunderbolt Cable[2]

4) 30" Monitor connected to Thunderbolt Port on LaCie eSATA Hub using Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter

So I'd need:

• CalDigit Thunderbolt Station
• LaCie eSATA Hub
• 2x Thunderbolt Cable
• HDMI Cable(already got one)
• Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter(already got one)

These would cost around $600 in total but it's still cheaper than buying a Mac Pro or buying a upcoming Mac Mini which might have 2 thunderbolt ports.

This blogger is running 3 monitors using the thunderbolt station: http://fortysomethinggeek.blogspot.com.au/2013/11/caldigit-thunderbolt-station-docking.html