Connecting monitors to Mac Mini (2012)

I should be getting my Mac Mini this weekend. I'm having a little bit of an issue deciding on my monitor connectors for it.

I have two monitors. One is a 24" HD (1080p) Acer with VGA and DVI ports. I had previously connected it to my MBP through a VGA to MDP adapter. Recently, I got a Cintiq 13HD, which I swapped out with my 24" monitor and connected to my MBP through a Belkin HDMI to Thunderbolt/MDP adatper.

I know the Mac Mini comes with a DVI to HDMI connector and I do have a DVI-D cable that should be able to connect. My question is, what is the best set up? I heard DVI is much better than VGA but I don't know if that will matter since the display is only 1080p. Without buying any new connectors, I figure I can do:

Cintiq to HDMI, Acer to VGA/MDP,
Cintiq to HDMI/MDP, Acer to DVI/HDMI, or
Cintiq to HDMI, Acer to DVI/HDMI to HDMI/MDP (which I can't imagine would be good for the signal)

If it would truly be worth it to go to DVI, should I go third party? I understand the Apple DVI to MDP is passive...which I am not really 100% certain what that means but apparently, it doesn't work to attach a second monitor to (saw a YouTube video about it).

I am sure I must sound like the biggest idiot. >_<

paulrbeers said:

This.

Click to expand...

Ok then. Short but clear.

Fishrrman said:

Cintiq to HDMI, Acer to VGA/MDP

This looks to be the answer.

I use a Viewsonic 2770 with my late 2012 Mini, connected:
MiniDisplayport --> VGA
... using a monoprice cable.

Everything is sharp and fine.

Although a MDP-to-DVI cable would work as well.

Insofar as the 13HD goes, it seems to offer more than one connection option, including to USB. How you connect it is probably dependent on how you're going to -use it-.

But they key is to connect the big display to the MDPort, and then figure out what you want to do with the 13HD...

Click to expand...

I'm a little confused. The Cintiq has one cable coming off it that splits into three. One goes to power, one goes to HDMI for video signal and one goes to USB for tablet features. Without all three, it doesn't work. So I'm not seeing the multiple connection options there.

But I think I'll go with the previous suggestions and try number 2 for right now.

Thanks everyone for your input.

paulrbeers said:

Don't use VGA with an LCD. Why would you want to go from a Digital Source (Computer) to Analog (VGA) back to a Digital Source (LCD monitor).

Always Digital to Digital when possible.

Click to expand...

I see. So I assume then that older monitors, like the CRTs were analog. Makes sense.