Dual Monitors on a mini

Choctaw · Mar 24, 2011, 07:49 PM

Can you use two monitors on a mac mini?
Thanks

simsaladimbamba · Mar 24, 2011, 07:50 PM

Yep, it has two video outputs (MDP and HDMI).

Quote:

Graphics and video support

NVIDIA GeForce 320M graphics processor with 256MB of DDR3 SDRAM shared with main memory4
Mini DisplayPort with support for up to 2560-by-1600 resolution
HDMI port with support for up to 1920-by-1200 resolution
DVI output using HDMI to DVI Adapter (included)
VGA output using Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter (sold separately)
Support for extended desktop and video mirroring across both ports

from http://www.apple.com/macmini/specs.html

MacForScience · Mar 24, 2011, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Choctaw

Can you use two monitors on a mac mini?
Thanks

Yes, I currently utilize such a setup for one of my systems and it is very nice.

Cheers

Choctaw · Mar 25, 2011, 07:24 AM

Mac4Science & simsaladimbamba........thank you for your response.
Choctaw

MTI · Mar 25, 2011, 02:33 PM

I'm presuming that the OP was referring to the current model (2010) only.

simsaladimbamba · Mar 25, 2011, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTI

I'm presuming that the OP was referring to the current model (2010) only.

And?

dcoulson · Mar 25, 2011, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTI

I'm presuming that the OP was referring to the current model (2010) only.

Both the 2009 and 2010 Mac Minis support two displays. The 2009 Mini has a Mini-DVI and Mini-DisplayPort, and the 2010 Mini has Mini-DisplayPort and HDMI.

I've ran my 2009 Mac Mini with two displays for over a year and with three via a USB-Video adapter for the last four months. No problems - Works great. In both cases, you just have to have the right combination of DVI/HDMI adapters to support your monitors.

MultiFinder17 · Mar 25, 2011, 03:58 PM

OceanView · Mar 31, 2011, 12:41 AM

For those that are using both displays, do you notice any lag or heat issues?

dcoulson · Mar 31, 2011, 05:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OceanView

For those that are using both displays, do you notice any lag or heat issues?

None at all.

dolphin842 · Mar 31, 2011, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OceanView

For those that are using both displays, do you notice any lag or heat issues?

No lag, no heat, but the GUI (minimizing windows, invoking Expose, etc.) often runs at a lower framerate. Nothing that impacts productivity, just a nitpicky thing.

Stan Mikulenka · Mar 31, 2011, 04:46 PM

Hi,
I'm using 2 big monitors - no problems with it:

iPhisch · Mar 31, 2011, 08:29 PM

Works great!
Dual Dell 24" 1080p

MattA · Mar 31, 2011, 09:26 PM

My early 2009 Mac Mini with 2 20" Cinema Displays:

Works fine.

dcoulson · Apr 1, 2011, 05:31 AM

Third display runs off USB-Video, so it's not great for video and other similar applications - Works great for office apps which is what I use most of the time on it.

mikeemedia · Jan 7, 2013, 02:45 PM

Will everyone who just posted their beautiful monitor set up please follow up with what wiring components you used specifically? There is a lot of debate over the best types, and I'm trying to determine that now. Thank you.

saha-med · Jan 8, 2013, 05:42 AM

i have had 2 23inch monitors set up. I via HDMI -> HDMI, another via MDP-HDMI Adapter -> HDMI.

The mdp-hdmi adapter screen has flickering issues. So i would suggest not using a mdp-hdmi adapter. Rather get a monitor with DP input

fhall1 · Jan 8, 2013, 07:08 AM

I'm running two 23" also....using the included HDMI to DVI for one and a mini-displayport to DVI for the other.

benwiggy · Jan 8, 2013, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeemedia

Will everyone who just posted their beautiful monitor set up please follow up with what wiring components you used specifically? There is a lot of debate over the best types, and I'm trying to determine that now. Thank you.

I have two 20" Apple Displays, which are both DVI. I used the HDMI > DVI adaptor that comes in the box with the mini, and I bought the Apple MiniDisplayPort > DVI adaptor for the Thunderbolt port.

Works brilliantly. No effort or lag in driving two monitors, even though we all know that the Intel 4000 is made of cheese and string, can't even draw with crayons on a stamp, and will crumble to dust at the mention of the word 3D.

Vinculum · Jan 9, 2013, 06:34 AM

Unfortunately OSX's implementation of multiple monitors isn't as intuitive as Microsoft Window's implementation. So if you are used to multiple monitor usage in Windows, you will be disappointed.

NewbieCanada · Jan 9, 2013, 06:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vinculum

Unfortunately OSX's implementation of multiple monitors isn't as intuitive as Microsoft Window's implementation. So if you are used to multiple monitor usage in Windows, you will be disappointed.

I've worked with multiple monitors for years, first on Windows, now on Mac. You plug them in, they work, subject, of course, to the limitations of ports and display adaptor. I don't see one system's implementation as more intuitive than the others.

MultiFinder17 · Jan 9, 2013, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeemedia

Will everyone who just posted their beautiful monitor set up please follow up with what wiring components you used specifically? There is a lot of debate over the best types, and I'm trying to determine that now. Thank you.

Mine are both hooked in via DVI. The Cinema Display uses an Apple MiniDP->DVI adapter and the cable built into the display, while the Dell uses a Monoprice MiniDVI->DVI adapter with a Monoprice DVI cable. They both have been working wonderfully for several years now.

mcsolas · Jan 9, 2013, 11:05 AM

When I use a dual monitor setup, I like to work with identical monitors side by side. It looks like 1920-by-1200 or under is the screen resolution to look for. Then you will need at least 1 adapter, depending on the connection type.

For this type of identical paired setup, what is a popular monitor choice?

JoshMKB24 · Jan 9, 2013, 12:51 PM

Quick question for those of you running dual setups. I've heard that when running dual setups on all Apple computers if you try to full screen watch a movie on 1 the other screen goes black and there isn't any way around this? True or not true?

OceanView · Jan 9, 2013, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoshMKB24

Quick question for those of you running dual setups. I've heard that when running dual setups on all Apple computers if you try to full screen watch a movie on 1 the other screen goes black and there isn't any way around this? True or not true?

You mean back to normal size?
Yes that is true when I run dual monitor setup on my MBP.
Not sure on the Mini but I would like to know as well.

Mar 24, 2011, 07:49 PM	#1
Choctaw macrumors regular Join Date: Apr 2008	Dual Monitors on a mini Can you use two monitors on a mac mini? Thanks
	0

Mar 25, 2011, 02:33 PM	#5
MTI macrumors 65816 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Scottsdale, AZ	I'm presuming that the OP was referring to the current model (2010) only. __________________ 15" Powerbook Ti DVI 20" iMac G5 17" Early 2006 iMac Core Duo 20" Mid 2007 Intel iMac Rev C Mac Mini Core Duo 2.0
	0

Mar 25, 2011, 03:58 PM	#8
MultiFinder17 macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Tampa, Florida	__________________ 2.5GHz 2011 iMac, 1.8GHz Rev.F MacBook Air, 32GB iPad mini, and 32GB iPhone 5 as my main drivers. "One more thing - You've waited for this, so here's your PowerBook G5!" - Steve Jobs @ WWDC 2014
	0

Mar 31, 2011, 04:46 PM	#12
Stan Mikulenka macrumors 6502 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Calgary, Canada	Hi, I'm using 2 big monitors - no problems with it: Attached Images
	0

Mar 31, 2011, 09:26 PM	#14
MattA macrumors 6502 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Orlando, FL	My early 2009 Mac Mini with 2 20" Cinema Displays: Works fine. __________________ 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
	0

Mar 25, 2011, 07:24 AM	#4
Choctaw Thread Starter macrumors regular Join Date: Apr 2008	Mac4Science & simsaladimbamba........thank you for your response. Choctaw
	0

Mar 31, 2011, 12:41 AM	#9
OceanView macrumors 6502a Join Date: Sep 2005	For those that are using both displays, do you notice any lag or heat issues?
	0

Mar 31, 2011, 08:29 PM	#13
iPhisch macrumors regular Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Indiana	Works great! Dual Dell 24" 1080p
	0

Apr 1, 2011, 05:31 AM	#15
dcoulson macrumors member Join Date: Aug 2010	Third display runs off USB-Video, so it's not great for video and other similar applications - Works great for office apps which is what I use most of the time on it.
	0

Jan 7, 2013, 02:45 PM	#16
mikeemedia macrumors newbie Join Date: Jan 2013	Please Post Wiring Information Will everyone who just posted their beautiful monitor set up please follow up with what wiring components you used specifically? There is a lot of debate over the best types, and I'm trying to determine that now. Thank you.
	0

Jan 8, 2013, 05:42 AM	#17
saha-med macrumors member Join Date: Dec 2012	i have had 2 23inch monitors set up. I via HDMI -> HDMI, another via MDP-HDMI Adapter -> HDMI. The mdp-hdmi adapter screen has flickering issues. So i would suggest not using a mdp-hdmi adapter. Rather get a monitor with DP input
	0

Jan 8, 2013, 07:08 AM	#18
fhall1 macrumors 68000 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: NY State	I'm running two 23" also....using the included HDMI to DVI for one and a mini-displayport to DVI for the other. __________________ 2012 2.3GHz i7 Mini, 16GB RAM; 2009 2.93 GHz C2D iMac, 8GB RAM, 640GB HD, GT120 1.83 GHz CD Mini, 2GB RAM, 200GB HD; 800 MHz 17" G4 iMac, 1GB RAM, 120GB HD 32GB White iPhone 4S, 32GB White iPad2
	0

Jan 9, 2013, 06:34 AM	#20
Vinculum macrumors newbie Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: York, Pa.	Unfortunately OSX's implementation of multiple monitors isn't as intuitive as Microsoft Window's implementation. So if you are used to multiple monitor usage in Windows, you will be disappointed.
	0

Jan 9, 2013, 11:05 AM	#23
mcsolas macrumors member Join Date: Jan 2013	When I use a dual monitor setup, I like to work with identical monitors side by side. It looks like 1920-by-1200 or under is the screen resolution to look for. Then you will need at least 1 adapter, depending on the connection type. For this type of identical paired setup, what is a popular monitor choice?
	0

Jan 9, 2013, 12:51 PM	#24
JoshMKB24 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Midwest	Quick question for those of you running dual setups. I've heard that when running dual setups on all Apple computers if you try to full screen watch a movie on 1 the other screen goes black and there isn't any way around this? True or not true? __________________ 2012/13 27" iMac, 11" MacBook Air, iPhone 5, iPad Mini, Apple TV
	0

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