M2 Mac mini with Zenscreen portable as STANDALONE monitor, via usb-c slot (DP Alt mode), no hdmi! Possible?

[MacBilly]

As per title, I wonder if anyone knows if it possible to connect as a primary standalone monitor to the M2 Mac mini a portable Zenscreen monitor that connects with usb-c?

It’s my understanding that to do this I will need a dummy hdmi plug so that the Mac mini thinks it’s already connected to a primary monitor, or will it be able to see the Zenscreen as a primary monitor, without the dummy?

And if I DO need a dummy, will it then instantly see the Zenscreen as a secondary or will I have have to add login code so that the mini can connect to the Zenscreen every time I turn it on, sort of backstage, without my being able to see what’s happening, if you know what I mean?

Many thanks for any and all answers!!

 

[curnalpanic]

What's a "Zendesk monitor"?

 

[MacBilly]

It’s the ASUS brand, a particular portable monitor.

 

[curnalpanic]

It’s the ASUS brand, a particular portable monitor.

You probably mean ZenScreen then.

 

[chrfr]

As per title, I wonder if anyone knows if it possible to connect as a primary standalone monitor to the M2 Mac mini a portable Zendesk monitor that connects with usb-c?

It’s my understanding that to do this I will need a dummy hdmi plug so that the Mac mini thinks it’s already connected to a primary monitor, or will it be able to see the Zendesk as a primary monitor, without the dummy?

And if I DO need a dummy, will it then instantly see the Zendesk as a secondary or will I have have to add login code so that the mini can connect to the Zendesk every time I turn it on, sort of backstage, without my being able to see what’s happening, if you know what I mean?

Many thanks for any and all answers!!

Yes, you can use USB-C displays with Macs. It's not a requirement to use HDMI.

 

[MacBilly]

Thanks for the reply, though I wasn’t asking about Macs, which already have a monitor to them (if that’s what you re referring to) but about the Mac minis that don’t. Also, I’m asking about a portable monitor as a standalone, not as a second monitor.

 

[MacBilly]

You probably mean ZenScreen then.

Yes, thank you for pointing it out, I’ve corrected the post!

 

[chrfr]

Thanks for the reply, though I wasn’t asking about Macs, which already have a monitor to them (if that’s what you re referring to) but about the Mac minis that don’t. Also, I’m asking about a portable monitor as a standalone, not as a second monitor.

A Mac mini is a Mac. A USB-C display will work fine. I did not mention iMacs, which are the computers with built in screens.

 

[MacBilly]

Sorry, it’s not my intention to be a pain but do you mean that it will work fine with a usb-c screen if this is the ONLY/primary/standalone screen connected? And what of the DP alt mode? Some people have written in the monitor reviews that this is not a simple usb-c connection but the DP alt kind and for them it didn’t work. Which is why I am asking.

 

[mr_jomo]

Sorry, it’s not my intention to be a pain but do you mean that it will work fine with a usb-c screen if this is the ONLY/primary/standalone screen connected? And what of the DP alt mode? Some people have written in the monitor reviews that this is not a simple usb-c connection but the DP alt kind and for them it didn’t work. Which is why I am asking.

I checked one of the Zenscreen's specs - its usb-c connection does indeed support DP-alt, which is how macs output video over usb-c. The monitor you decide upon must support DP-alt over usb-c, else no joy when using with macs

I also tested my Asus ROG strix (portable monitor, very similar to the Asus Zenscreen, that also supports DP-alt over usb-c) as the single monitor connected to my m1 mac Mini - all worked fine.

 

[MacBilly]

I checked one of the Zenscreen's specs - its usb-c connection does indeed support DP-alt, which is how macs output video over usb-c. The monitor you decide upon must support DP-alt over usb-c, else no joy when using with macs

I also tested my Asus ROG strix (portable monitor, very similar to the Asus Zenscreen, that also supports DP-alt over usb-c) as the single monitor connected to my m1 mac Mini - all worked fine.

I see. Thank you so much for this info. I take it in this scenario we are talking about you are using the portable monitor as the only monitor connected to your M1 yes?

 

[benjai]

So you can take your Mac mini on holiday say, and just bring this screen (and keyboard/mouse)? Would it be powered via usbc as well so no power cable? That is pretty neat since I've swapped an mbp for the mini.

 

[mr_jomo]

I see. Thank you so much for this info. I take it in this scenario we are talking about you are using the portable monitor as the only monitor connected to your M1 yes?

Confirmed 😀

 

[MacBilly]

Confirmed 😀

That’s fantastic, thank you!