Mac Mini 2 LG 4K Displays

[vigilant]

I’m looking at going all in on Apple Silicon. One question keeps standing out to me though.

I know the M1 has very specific limitations on video output.

I have 2 LG 4K displays. I get the limitations of this first version of the hardware. I’m willing to deal with it. Having a machine that is reasonably priced, and is in the top percentage of PCs sold is interesting, especially with it being almost silent.

Can anyone tell me if theres a way this works? I’m fine buying an adapter to make it work.

 

[MK500]

What input ports do your LG displays have? I think as long as one of them has HDMI, and can support 4K over HDMI, you should be fine. You'll need an adapter for the second display (thunderbolt to DisplayPort?); but that isn't likely to be a problem.

Now if you were talking about the M1 MacBooks, you can only do multiple external displays by using DisplayLink for at least one of them. But this will not be full native speed, so your frame rate will suffer. Fine for productivity work, but you will want to watch videos on the built in display or an HDMI display connected directly to an Apple dongle. More info, including the equipment you will need, here:

#135

 

[orbitalpunk]

I'm connecting my Mac Mini M1 to two displays. Im using a USB-C to Display Port cable for 1 and simple HDMI cable for the other.

 

[vigilant]

What input ports do your LG displays have? I think as long as one of them has HDMI, and can support 4K over HDMI, you should be fine. You'll need an adapter for the second display (thunderbolt to DisplayPort?); but that isn't likely to be a problem.

Now if you were talking about the M1 MacBooks, you can only do multiple external displays by using DisplayLink for at least one of them. But this will not be full native speed, so your frame rate will suffer. Fine for productivity work, but you will want to watch videos on the built in display or an HDMI display connected directly to an Apple dongle. More info, including the equipment you will need, here:

#135

I’m using 2 of the LG 4K Ultrafines which I think are USB-C? It might be Thunderbolt, but I wouldn’t put money on it

 

[MK500]

I’m using 2 of the LG 4K Ultrafines which I think are USB-C? It might be Thunderbolt, but I wouldn’t put money on it

Then I do not think you will be able to connect them both to any M1 Mac. This is why I always recommend monitors with a wide variety of inputs.

If you want to continue using both those displays natively, you will likely need to wait for the next batch of M series Macs which hopefully will support 2 thunderbolt displays.

The current M1 Macs would allow you to connect one of your displays, but you would have to use a USB to DisplayLink to DisplayPort to thunderbolt adapter setup to run the second at a reduced frame rate, and it may or may not even work.

This:

QGeeM USB 3.0 Docking Station,Single 5K/Dual HDMI DispalyPort 4K@60Hz Display USB C Laptop Docking Station,Compatible with MacBook OS Windows etc.

QGeeM USB 3.0 Docking Station,Single 5K/Dual HDMI DispalyPort 4K@60Hz Display USB C Laptop Docking Station,Compatible with MacBook OS Windows etc.

www.amazon.com

and then connect one of the DisplayPorts to the DisplayPort input on this:

LG UltraFine 4K and 5K: Yes you can connect it to Windows computers via DP!!!

Hello everyone, I have owned the LG Ultrafine 4k for a few days, since the COVID-19 pandemic made work from home mandatory for most Canadians. I love the display, but was struggling to connect it to my work laptop (which doesn’t have USB-C). After hours of research, 7 different adapters, I...

forums.macrumors.com

Pretty expensive. Plus the Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort cable.

 

[joevt]

I’m using 2 of the LG 4K Ultrafines which I think are USB-C? It might be Thunderbolt, but I wouldn’t put money on it

The first gen LG UltraFine 4K are 22 inch and 4096x2304 and USB-C.
The second gen LG UltraFine 4K are 24 inch and 3840x2160 and Thunderolt/USB-C.

They both can connect with USB-C (without Thunderbolt).

To connect one to the HDMI 2.0 port of the Mac mini requires an HDMI 2.0 to DisplayPort adapter, plus a bidirectional USB-C to DisplayPort cable. The Belkin Charge and Sync cable or Wacom Link Plus can be used instead of the cable to add USB functionality (brightness control, audio, camera, etc).

Or there's this one cable from E-Bay which combines multiple adapters into one and includes USB:

Hdmi output to USB C input Cables Adapter For Type C Monitor Display for sale | eBay

Find great deals on eBay for Hdmi output to USB C input Cables Adapter For Type C Monitor Display. Shop with confidence.

www.ebay.ca

I haven't tried that one yet.