Very soon I’m gonna be having M2 Mac mini with 16 GB RAM and find and 12 GB SSD. I believe Mac mini comes just with the power cable so you have to have your own HDMI or USB cable. Can you guys please suggest which is the best cable that I should use to plug the Mac mini to my monitor ? which can easily transfer High amount of data also if I have to go with an Apple cable, should I be buying a Thunderbolt-3 or a Thunderbolt-4 Cable?
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Best Cable to connect Mac Mini to a Monitor ?
- Thread starter marcusalwayswins
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The answer to your question depends on what port is on your monitor, and you didn't tell us anything about that.
I tried using different cables and ended up using an HDMI,,, I would suggest reading your monitors manual and look at the specification section, that may help you decide. Best of luck. Also I don't use my monitor as a hub, just display.
You will need to provide details of what your monitor is that looking to connect too.
make and model number should be enough as we can then find out what inputs the monitor has.
Only way would need to transfer data over it as well is if using a Thunderbolt monitor and can daisy chain Storage off the connection as well.
I use an old Dell 3008WFP monitor. It has HDMI however I personally use a nice USB-C to Display Port cable instead from my Studio. A TB cable won't connect to the monitor.
On my work machine then I have a HP laptop connected to a Dell TB Dock via the TB Cable on the dock and then feed two Dell 2719D via Displayport cables.
Mx Series Mini always started at 256Gb SSD so if is a 128Gb if missed the 8 off then not going to be an Mx series Apple Silicon Mac Mini. As such you may want to double check the spec of the mini you getting as if you are being told is a 128gb then not an Apple Silicon M2 mini that going to be getting.
Try HDMI (Mini) to HDMI (display) first.
You may even have a spare HDMI cable around.
But be aware that there are many "versions" of HDMI cables, and if you have one, it may not be "adequate enough".
If I was buying a new cable, I'd look for HDMI "2.0" and "high speed" on the packaging.
The reason I suggest HDMI before others is that using it will save you a USbc port that would otherwise be used.
You may even have a spare HDMI cable around.
But be aware that there are many "versions" of HDMI cables, and if you have one, it may not be "adequate enough".
If I was buying a new cable, I'd look for HDMI "2.0" and "high speed" on the packaging.
The reason I suggest HDMI before others is that using it will save you a USbc port that would otherwise be used.
I have the Dell U2419H Monitor I think it has both a HDMi Port and also a Display Port. I have heard that always used a Display Port because it supports high rates of refresh rates.
Looking at the specs of that U2419H - max refresh is 60Hz
It's also a full HD display.
So, the display will be 'OK', using a DisplayPort cable will not make the display magically show a higher quality image (which will always be full HD at the most). The image will be presentable, but can't display a 4K, if that is what you are hoping.
I would probably go with a USB-C to DisplayPort cable, which would not need an adapter.
But, yes, you would lose a USB-C/thunderbolt port, when an HDMI cable should also give you the best image just as good as the DisplayPort connection. Your choice.
It's also a full HD display.
So, the display will be 'OK', using a DisplayPort cable will not make the display magically show a higher quality image (which will always be full HD at the most). The image will be presentable, but can't display a 4K, if that is what you are hoping.
I would probably go with a USB-C to DisplayPort cable, which would not need an adapter.
But, yes, you would lose a USB-C/thunderbolt port, when an HDMI cable should also give you the best image just as good as the DisplayPort connection. Your choice.
Yes the Monitor right now is only 1080P but very soon I am going to upgrade it to 4K and hence I was looking out for a cable which would give best picture quality even with a 4K monitor.
The answer won't change much - you will still have the same ports available on your new mini.
The difference will be what you decide for the monitor, and what ports are available on that.
(Some monitors come with more than one cable, which sometimes turns out to be a decent choice for your use.
The difference will be what you decide for the monitor, and what ports are available on that.
(Some monitors come with more than one cable, which sometimes turns out to be a decent choice for your use.
When you buy a new monitor it will most likely come with the appropriate cables.