Question: Dual Monitors on Mac Mini Server 2011

[rock15478]

Hi,

I just ordered a new Mac Mini Server 2011 Model...

I'm also getting ready to order 2 of these:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003Y3BJ7S/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Question is: What adaptor(s) do I need to order to make this work?

I simply want to run both led monitors at 1920x1080 resolution

Can I use the thunderbolt port as a mini display port?

Does the Mini come with any adaptors? (I haven't received it yet)

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[teebeau]

Hi,

The monitors you bought seem to have 1 DVI and 1 VGA inputs. (You may want to check that information!)
The mac mini is supplied with an HDMI to DVI adapter.
So for your first and main screen you can use the HDMI port of the mac mini, with the DVI adapter on.
For your second screen, you will have to buy a mini-DP to DVI adapter for 30 bucks.
http://www.amazon.com/Apple-Mini-DisplayPort-Adapter-MB570Z/dp/B001IF5YLQ/ref=pd_rhf_shvl_3

 

[SteveNYC]

teebeau brings up a very good point. I would add one item...

Unless you have a particular need, I would pass on these monitors. As a suggestion, consider looking for a monitor with an HDMI port on the monitor. These units would require 3.5mm audio cables for the speakers (assuming that feature matter to you). Were these monitors to have HDMI connectors, you would not need supplemental audio cables.

That said, I would agree with everything teebeau commented on.

 

[angela44angela]

Hi,

The monitors you bought seem to have 1 DVI and 1 VGA inputs. (You may want to check that information!)
The mac mini is supplied with an HDMI to DVI adapter.
So for your first and main screen you can use the HDMI port of the mac mini, with the DVI adapter on.
For your second screen, you will have to buy a mini-DP to DVI adapter for 30 bucks.
http://www.amazon.com/Apple-Mini-DisplayPort-Adapter-MB570Z/dp/B001IF5YLQ/ref=pd_rhf_shvl_3

I don't quite understand this because the new Mac mini has a Thunderbolt port, how then can it use a mini-DP to DVI adapter? I totally understand the recommendation of HDMI to HDMI.

 

[akm3]

I don't quite understand this because the new Mac mini has a Thunderbolt port, how then can it use a mini-DP to DVI adapter? I totally understand the recommendation of HDMI to HDMI.

Thunderbolt physically is Mini-display Port.

 

[GeorgeFromTulsa]

Yuck. HDMI port on Mac Mini

Ok, I'm talking about the 2010 Mac Mini which actually has better graphics than the 2011 server.

I have two of these, and two Asus 27" LED matte finish monitors, one for each mini.

The first one I setup I already had the HDMI to DVI connector from a 2009 Mini, so I just used that.

A-OK

For the second and newer one, I decided to save a buck and use a short HDMI cable I had on hand instead of springing for the $30 HDMI to DVI port.

Bad choice.

Yes, the HDMI "pure" solution worked. But the video was of a different kind and quality. You would think it would be the same, as HDMI video is DVI video.

Nope.

Whether on the "mini end" or the "hdmi monitor end," one end knew I was setting up a "television," not a computer monitor, and the video quality was perhaps adjusted to view across the room, but not up close and personal using software.

IF you have an HDMI cable, go ahead and give it a try. Might be fine.

IF you want to try on the cheap, www.monoprice.com offers real deals on quality HDMI cables, the shorter the better.

Finally, and this might vary from monitor to monitor, plugging the HDMI cable in did not deliver audio to the ASUS monitor's built in speakers, it still needed the analog audio wire from the Mini headset out port.

Here's a link to the ASUS monitors on Amazon. They are superb, and often sell out. Bought a third one last week; this week Amazon itself is out, but other Amazon sellers seem to have them.

http://goo.gl/otI4a

 

[dolphin842]

For your second screen, you will have to buy a mini-DP to DVI adapter for 30 bucks.
http://www.amazon.com/Apple-Mini-DisplayPort-Adapter-MB570Z/dp/B001IF5YLQ/ref=pd_rhf_shvl_3

Don't spend $30... spend $8 on the same thing from monoprice.

I don't quite understand this because the new Mac mini has a Thunderbolt port, how then can it use a mini-DP to DVI adapter? I totally understand the recommendation of HDMI to HDMI.

If you're not hooking up any Thunderbolt devices, the Thunderbolt port can act like a regular Mini Displayport.