If I am reading the specs right, there is no way to run two monitors with a Mini, if I am wrong, please correct me, but if I am right, does anyone think this will ever be a possibility in this form factor? I realize I am probably going to get pounced on for this, but for 799 couldn't they have put in a laptop graphics card? Is there a DIY way to do this?
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Dual screens/dual head?
- Thread starter modestmelody
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A "laptop graphics card"? It is using the same graphics subsystem as the Macbook. In fact, the whole mini is made out of Macbook parts just without a screen. They just neglected to put a second DVI port on the Mini.
The VGA splitter box is not worth it. But the time you buy a mini, that splitter box, and two monitors, you'll have spent enough to get an iMac with a faster processor and an extra monitor. AND the splitter box is VGA, so it won't look as good as the DVI on the iMac. Plus the box makes the two monitors behave like one so you're going to get some jiggy non-natural behavior with dialog boxes appearing across the middle, etc. Like I said, not worth it.
The VGA splitter box is not worth it. But the time you buy a mini, that splitter box, and two monitors, you'll have spent enough to get an iMac with a faster processor and an extra monitor. AND the splitter box is VGA, so it won't look as good as the DVI on the iMac. Plus the box makes the two monitors behave like one so you're going to get some jiggy non-natural behavior with dialog boxes appearing across the middle, etc. Like I said, not worth it.
Ok, so what I meant was a non-integrated laptop graphics solution. I figured by using card I would be excluding integrated systems. I felt it was more likely to see dual heads with a more powerful card in general...
Also, I agree, the VGA splitter does not seem worth it at all. However, I was unsure if that was even a possibility which is why I mentioned other options than dual head. For what it's worth, I have two very good LCDs already, and I'd rather have the mini to work with what I have than to buy an iMac, which results in me paying for a screen I don't need and will lose when I want to upgrade my computer.
I am a college student with a laptop and a desktop with dual screens already, and I'd love to not bring my huge desktop and to just bring a smaller overall setup. The Mini, minus graphics, can already be configured to surpass what I have (a self-built tower about 1.5 years ago for about 1500).
Yeah I know the Mini not being able to do dual monitors sucks. But that was one of the greatest factors that drove me to get an iMac, which is exactly how Apple wants it, I'm guessing. I absolutely cannot work with less than two monitors. If I were in your position, with two LCDs already (which I was -- actually I had three and sold them all to get an iMac and a nicer LCD), I'd consider selling one of them and instead of the Mini+splitter for nearly $1k, I'd get an iMac from the refurb store (17" C2D 2.0 1GB $1099, or 17" CD 1.83 512MB for $949 if you're really on a strict budget) and hook the remaining monitor up to it. While we're on the subject, the 20" CD and C2D iMacs from the refurb store at $1199 and $1299 are an incredible value.