Mac Mini with Dual Monitors

JWalker1995 · Mar 5, 2011, 06:28 PM

Hi, im buying a Mac Mini in the summer and understand that you can run to monitors off it using one on the DVI and other off HDMI. Would running both monitors use up to much RAM or would a basic 2gb be enough.
If upgrade is needed how much would you recommend to upgrade to.
Thanks

neko girl · Mar 5, 2011, 06:32 PM

Since a memory upgrade can be performed pretty easily, and doing so won't affect your data or your day-to-day use, why not buy the base machine itself, use it for a few days, then upgrade to 4 GB if your experience is sub-optimal?

JWalker1995 · Mar 5, 2011, 06:44 PM

Would the processor have any effect or would you say to just go with the base model?

neko girl · Mar 5, 2011, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JWalker1995

Would the processor have any effect or would you say to just go with the base model?

Can you tell us what kind of work you'd be doing on it?

JWalker1995 · Mar 5, 2011, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neko girl

Can you tell us what kind of work you'd be doing on it?

Im jsut going into collage and not doing art/ graphics so just basic internet, typing, keynote presentations, emails, films/music. Just basic stuff like that

neko girl · Mar 5, 2011, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JWalker1995

Im jsut going into collage and not doing art/ graphics so just basic internet, typing, keynote presentations, emails, films/music. Just basic stuff like that

Keep the base processor and 2 GB. Upgrade to 4 GB only if you feel like your system could be faster.

JWalker1995 · Mar 5, 2011, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neko girl

Keep the base processor and 2 GB. Upgrade to 4 GB only if you feel like your system could be faster.

Ahh ok

Thanks very much with your help

KenBob Country · Mar 5, 2011, 09:16 PM

mac mini mid 2010 with 8 GB Ram.

dual monitor:
1920 x 1080p HDMI
1920 x 1200 through minidisplayport to VGA adapter

The minidisplayport to DVI adapter will work ONLY with pure DIGITAL DVI-D,
not DVI-I (analog 4 pin passthrough), so your second monitor needs a true DVI port, not just a dsub 15, or you need the minidisplayport to VGA $30 adapter.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Visual_Interface

dcoulson · Mar 6, 2011, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neko girl

Keep the base processor and 2 GB. Upgrade to 4 GB only if you feel like your system could be faster.

Considering 8Gb costs around $70 now, it's not a difficult argument to just max out the memory in the Mini.

andrei.barbuta · Mar 6, 2011, 10:14 AM

I have a Mac mini late 2009, 2.53Ghz, 4GB RAM, 9400m.
It's hooked up to a Dell 2407 WFP-HC, 24" 1920x1200 (mini-DVI -> DVI adapter) and a BenQ G2220HDA 21.5" 1920x1080p (miniDisplayPort -> VGA adapter).

I often use a video tutorial on one and work in Maya on the other.

They work great, no problems.

dcoulson · Mar 6, 2011, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mass223

I'm also planning to try this mac mini dual monitor.It sounds very easy to work on.I have 4 Gb Ram.Is it enough for this?

Yes, I ran my '09 Mini with 2 monitors with 4Gb of RAM for over a year. Worked fine.

I now run it with three monitors (3rd via USB-Video device) and 8Gb RAM which is leaps and bounds better than before :-)

MattA · Mar 7, 2011, 12:09 PM

Proof that a 2009 Mini will run dual monitors:

dcoulson · Mar 7, 2011, 06:24 PM

Here's my Mac Mini with 3 monitors - Wonder if anyone out there has 4 or more.

DustinT · Mar 11, 2011, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcoulson

Considering 8Gb costs around $70 now, it's not a difficult argument to just max out the memory in the Mini.

Ya, I'd agree. Those systems have some performance bottlenecks already and this is a good way to reduce the number. Its cheap enough!

adnoh · Mar 12, 2011, 05:43 PM

I was using the page file a lot on MacBook and that's for everyday tasks so definitely upgrade ram to 4 if not 8 for dual monitor setup. The gpu will be up to the task though.

cocacolakid · Mar 12, 2011, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KenBob Country

mac mini mid 2010 with 8 GB Ram.

dual monitor:
1920 x 1080p HDMI
1920 x 1200 through minidisplayport to VGA adapter

The minidisplayport to DVI adapter will work ONLY with pure DIGITAL DVI-D,
not DVI-I (analog 4 pin passthrough), so your second monitor needs a true DVI port, not just a dsub 15, or you need the minidisplayport to VGA $30 adapter.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Visual_Interface

I just hooked my 2010 Mac Mini up to dual monitors. I have 8gb of ram and have noticed that the Mac does slow down a bit when I run a video. I think the bigger issue isn't how much ram you have but the fact that the GPU has only 256mb of shared ram. It isn't an issue for me to stop using it, and I do not do any photo or video editing, the most intensive thing I do is just play videos. I have Sophos running, which might be helping cause the slowdown.

My setup is running:

1920 x 1080p HDMI (37")
1920 x 1200 through mini displayport to HDMI (24")

Btw, Monoprice sells mini displayport adapters for about six dollars.

dolphin842 · Mar 12, 2011, 10:10 PM

A quick aside on RAM: it's probably as cheap as it's going to get, as manufacturers are shifting dram production to the kind used in mobile devices over the course of the year. 8GB for under $100 really is a steal, and a very good investment, especially if you'll be using the standard hard drive.

dolphin842 · Mar 13, 2011, 12:36 AM

The Mini will reserve 256MB of system RAM for the graphics regardless of whether you use one or two displays. The Mini can run two displays just fine.

dcoulson · Mar 13, 2011, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cocacolakid

I just hooked my 2010 Mac Mini up to dual monitors. I have 8gb of ram and have noticed that the Mac does slow down a bit when I run a video. I think the bigger issue isn't how much ram you have but the fact that the GPU has only 256mb of shared ram. It isn't an issue for me to stop using it, and I do not do any photo or video editing, the most intensive thing I do is just play videos. I have Sophos running, which might be helping cause the slowdown.

My Mac Mini is a similar configuration - When I play a movie via VLC it eats up 30-40% of one core, but the Mini does not 'feel' slow. I would suspect you would have the same experience with one monitor instead of two.

dcoulson · Mar 13, 2011, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mass223

Does mac mini dual monitoring system requires two VGA cards but mean while I have two will it be enough ?

Both the 2009 and 2010 Mac Mini have two video ports on the back.

2009:
1x Mini-DVI
1x Mini-DisplayPort

2010:
1x HDMI
1x Mini-DisplayPort

You can use adapters from Apple or Monoprice to get the correct configuration of HDMI, DVI or VGA ports to support your monitors. If you require additional video ports, you can use a USB-Video adapter which works well, but does not perform well for video and other types of activities - Works well for web browsing and general office apps though.

Unisex · Jun 16, 2011, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcoulson

Here's my Mac Mini with 3 monitors - Wonder if anyone out there has 4 or more.

Image

Hi dcoulson!

Whats your setup configuration? I want to buy a MacMini but I have 3 Monitors. The 2009 MacMini just has 1DVI Output right?

So what adapters are you using? Do you have QE/CI Enabled with 3 Monitors??

Greetings,
Unisex

dcoulson · Jun 16, 2011, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unisex

Whats your setup configuration? I want to buy a MacMini but I have 3 Monitors. The 2009 MacMini just has 1DVI Output right?

2009:
1x Mini-DVI
1x Mini-DisplayPort

I convert both to HDMI with the appropriate adapter and connect two of the displays directly to the internal video.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unisex

So what adapters are you using? Do you have QE/CI Enabled with 3 Monitors??

I use a USB->DVI adapter from NewerTech to support the third display. QE is not supported on this third display.

Unisex · Jun 16, 2011, 07:54 AM

Sound's good thanks a lot!

So if QE/CI is not supported on the 3rd screen I can handle with. Main issue is to support QE/CI on the MacMini. So no QE/CI on a 3rd Monitor is okay - I can life with it!

Minicube · Jun 16, 2011, 09:05 AM

Definitely go up to at least 4 gigs of RAM.

dcoulson · Jun 16, 2011, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minicube

Definitely go up to at least 4 gigs of RAM.

8Gb RAM is $75 now. Hardly worth opening the Mini up just to put 4Gb into it.

Mar 5, 2011, 06:28 PM	#1
JWalker1995 macrumors member Join Date: Mar 2011	Mac Mini with Dual Monitors Hi, im buying a Mac Mini in the summer and understand that you can run to monitors off it using one on the DVI and other off HDMI. Would running both monitors use up to much RAM or would a basic 2gb be enough. If upgrade is needed how much would you recommend to upgrade to. Thanks __________________ iPhone 4S 16GB Black iPad 2 16gb WiFi Black - Gray Smart Colour Mac Mini 2011 2.3ghz i5 8GB
	0

Mar 5, 2011, 06:32 PM	#2
neko girl macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jan 2011	Since a memory upgrade can be performed pretty easily, and doing so won't affect your data or your day-to-day use, why not buy the base machine itself, use it for a few days, then upgrade to 4 GB if your experience is sub-optimal? __________________ Fighting crime in a future time
	0

Mar 5, 2011, 06:44 PM	#3
JWalker1995 Thread Starter macrumors member Join Date: Mar 2011	Would the processor have any effect or would you say to just go with the base model? __________________ iPhone 4S 16GB Black iPad 2 16gb WiFi Black - Gray Smart Colour Mac Mini 2011 2.3ghz i5 8GB
	0

Mar 7, 2011, 12:09 PM	#12
MattA macrumors 6502 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Orlando, FL	Proof that a 2009 Mini will run dual monitors: __________________ Mac Mini (2011) i7 / Mac Mini (Early 2009) Powermac G5 1.6 w/Radeon 9800 Pro (Sold!) iBook G4 1.33Ghz (replaced a dead G3) Many iPods + iPhone 4S + iPad2
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Mar 5, 2011, 09:16 PM	#8
KenBob Country macrumors newbie Join Date: Mar 2011	mac mini mid 2010 with 8 GB Ram. dual monitor: 1920 x 1080p HDMI 1920 x 1200 through minidisplayport to VGA adapter The minidisplayport to DVI adapter will work ONLY with pure DIGITAL DVI-D, not DVI-I (analog 4 pin passthrough), so your second monitor needs a true DVI port, not just a dsub 15, or you need the minidisplayport to VGA $30 adapter. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Visual_Interface
	0

Mar 6, 2011, 10:14 AM	#10
andrei.barbuta macrumors regular Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Romania	I have a Mac mini late 2009, 2.53Ghz, 4GB RAM, 9400m. It's hooked up to a Dell 2407 WFP-HC, 24" 1920x1200 (mini-DVI -> DVI adapter) and a BenQ G2220HDA 21.5" 1920x1080p (miniDisplayPort -> VGA adapter). I often use a video tutorial on one and work in Maya on the other. They work great, no problems.
	0

Mar 7, 2011, 06:24 PM	#13
dcoulson macrumors member Join Date: Aug 2010	Here's my Mac Mini with 3 monitors - Wonder if anyone out there has 4 or more.
	0

Mar 12, 2011, 05:43 PM	#15
adnoh macrumors 6502a Join Date: Nov 2010	I was using the page file a lot on MacBook and that's for everyday tasks so definitely upgrade ram to 4 if not 8 for dual monitor setup. The gpu will be up to the task though.
	0

Mar 12, 2011, 10:10 PM	#17
dolphin842 macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jul 2004	A quick aside on RAM: it's probably as cheap as it's going to get, as manufacturers are shifting dram production to the kind used in mobile devices over the course of the year. 8GB for under $100 really is a steal, and a very good investment, especially if you'll be using the standard hard drive.
	0

Mar 13, 2011, 12:36 AM	#18
dolphin842 macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jul 2004	The Mini will reserve 256MB of system RAM for the graphics regardless of whether you use one or two displays. The Mini can run two displays just fine.
	0

Jun 16, 2011, 07:54 AM	#23
Unisex macrumors newbie Join Date: Jun 2011	Sound's good thanks a lot! So if QE/CI is not supported on the 3rd screen I can handle with. Main issue is to support QE/CI on the MacMini. So no QE/CI on a 3rd Monitor is okay - I can life with it!
	0

Jun 16, 2011, 09:05 AM	#24
Minicube macrumors regular Join Date: Jun 2011	Definitely go up to at least 4 gigs of RAM.
	0

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