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Best performance MacMini 6.1 (2012) -Monitor 4k?

bkawashima

bkawashima

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Sep 21, 2008
22
2
Spain, Europe
Hi mates!

I'm a proud owner of Macmini 6.1 (2012), 2,5 GHz Intel Core i5/ 16 GB 1600 MHz DDR3 / Intel HD Graphics 4000 1536 MB with a DELL ultrasharp U2410 (2009) great one but with some issues since a few month's ago.

Thinking to give a second home this monitor and buy another one to update my Mac ecosystem.

I like the Dell S3221QS 4K UHD (3840x2160), 32-inch curved screen but I'm not really sure it will be a great choice for my mac mini.

Review of DELL S3221QS 4k UHD and a comparison with my actual monitor.

My idea:

- MacMini 6.1(2012) - Always plug (I don't know the best cable option for best performance and display) Mini display to DisplayPort 1.2 ? or HDMI?
- Fire Tv Stick 4k (2021) - Always plug (HDMI), my idea it's using it the 4k for entertaining and switch when I turn it on for (Netflix/HBO/Prime Video)
- Mac Book Pro 12.1 - Plug on demand
- Nintendo Switch - Plug on demand

Most of my usages are browsers, slack, Office 365, Adobe Suite, and video.

My actual monitor, it's mounted on a VESA display and I have 60 cm (2 feet) between the screen and my eyes. It's a 24" monitor, so this one will be 32" fits well? The new one it's more "fit" so, I'll win some inches but not so much.

Often I'll use the Fire tv stick for entertaining at my bed 2 meters of distance approx.

Questions/Doubts - newbie :

- Best configuration - performance for my main desktop computer (MacMini 6.1 2012).
At this moment 1920 x 1200 60hz. What do you think will be readable and good for the eye's? best display configuration? 2k? I read some users in other models try it 2k and 30 hz, it's better than 1920x1200 60 hz?.

- Worth it, use a 4k monitor with a 1920x1000 60hz configuration on a Macmini? for the other purposes (Macbook Pro/Fire Tv stick 4k /Nintendo Switch) it's ok because I could use 4k.

- I have to scale or MacMini will adapt the best configuration possible? in terms of scaling, what size works better with 32-inch 4K (used without UI scaling or select manual and used with UI scaling) ?.


Thanks for your time and tips!

:)
 
Thinking Mini Display to display port v1.4 should handle it (of course at 30fps)
But can't tell you if there will be a success with Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter as well as if there's a profit to use 32 inch with lower resolution. Small text and items will be easier to catch indeed
But I don't know exactly, will it handle well a 32-inch 4k display eventually.
 
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appltech said:
Thinking Mini Display to display port v1.4 should handle it (of course at 30fps)
But can't tell you if there will be a success with Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter as well as if there's a profit to use 32 inch with lower resolution. Small text and items will be easier to catch indeed
But I don't know exactly, will it handle well a 32-inch 4k display eventually.
Click to expand...
thanks!

So, the actual configuration will play it 1920 x 1200 60hz via HDMI without improving, isn't it?
 
Unfortunately, I can't tell you anything about HDMI, as for me – not (as far as I know Mac mini does not support latest HDMI 2 above) But Display Port should handle it
 
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bkawashima said:
So, the actual configuration will play it 1920 x 1200 60hz via HDMI without improving, isn't it?
Click to expand...
The 2012 Mac mini will display 2560×1440 or 2560×1600 at 60 Hz and 3840×2160 ("4K") at 30 Hz via (Mini-) DisplayPort only.
Its HDMI port is artificially limited to 1920×1200 at 60 Hz (to be more precise: 165 MHz pixel clock) IIRC.

In my opinion, 30 Hz is absolutely terrible. I've had to use it for some time and hated it. But everyone is different.

So if you get a "4K" monitor, your choices are to run it at 1920×1080 or 2560×1440 at 60 Hz... or 3840×2160 at 30 Hz.

As for scaling... the HD 4000 in your Mac mini will allow you to run 1920×1080 in HiDPI mode (200% scaling; this is way too big on a 32" monitor in my opinion, though) if you choose to run your monitor at 3840×2160 at 30 Hz. Higher scaled modes may not be possible! So if you want, e.g. 2560×1440, the Mac mini will actually output this resolution to the monitor, which will then upscale it to 3840×2160… and cause blurriness.
 
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Thanks for your explanations and time to answer me.

So, if I Get a 4k monitor, I'll buy a Mini Display Port to Display Port for 1920×1080 or 2560×1440 at 60 Hz... No way 30hz :)

My last question... it's possible, not upscale... Just select 1920×1080 or 2560×1440 at 60 Hz a watch it suitable?.
I'm used to Dell Ultrasharp U2410 and pick up this Dell 4k; sounds interesting if I change Mac mini, but at this time, I hope it will work properly a few years more :)

Because if not just connect and use it (without blurriness or too big on 32"), I'll dismiss this monitor option, it's for a shop offer of 260$ (new, but I can't return if I'm not happy - they close their doors).
 
bkawashima said:
My last question... it's possible, not upscale... Just select 1920×1080 or 2560×1440 at 60 Hz a watch it suitable?
Click to expand...
I’ve just looked at the manual for the Dell S3221QS: there is no option to display lower resolutions at actual size with black borders around them ("1:1"). So if that’s what you want, you may have to get a different monitor.
AR.png
 
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I have a 2012 Mini (although it's no longer my main computer and sits on "the back table").

I seem to recall that the HDMI port on the 2012 Mini "maxes out" at 1920x1080 (1080p). I could be wrong.

If you have a 4k display, I also recall that the 2012 will only support 4k @ 30hz via the tbolt/minidisplay port (to displayport or minidisplayport on the display end). Not through HDMI.
Some tweaking may be needed to get even this.

Again, I could be wrong.
 
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Fishrrman said:
I have a 2012 Mini (although it's no longer my main computer and sits on "the back table").

I seem to recall that the HDMI port on the 2012 Mini "maxes out" at 1920x1080 (1080p). I could be wrong.

If you have a 4k display, I also recall that the 2012 will only support 4k @ 30hz via the tbolt/minidisplay port (to displayport or minidisplayport on the display end). Not through HDMI.
Some tweaking may be needed to get even this.

Again, I could be wrong.
Click to expand...
thanks :)
it's time to think another monitor option without 4k.
 
bkawashima said:
I read it but I don't recall what does it mean.
Click to expand...
It probably means that if you run the monitor at a lower resolution, it will always upscale the image to fill the screen, introducing blurriness. If you want lower resolutions to be displayed "as-is" without any upscaling and the blurriness it introduces, you need an aspect ratio setting of "1:1", so that they're displayed centered with black borders around the edges.

bkawashima said:
What kind or brand of monitor do you recommend?
Click to expand...
I've had mostly good experiences with Dell monitors, but have only used their P, U and UP models.

bkawashima said:
it's time to think another monitor option without 4k.
Click to expand...
If you'll mainly be using this with a 2012 Mac mini, I'd suggest looking at a 27" 2560×1440 monitor. You'll get 60 Hz, quite a bit more screen estate than on your current 1920×1200 monitor and only "slightly" higher pixel density (109 vs. 94 PPI), so that UI elements and text, while noticeably smaller than on the Dell U2410, will not be significantly smaller.

Alternatively, you could look into hooking up an eGPU to the Mac mini via Thunderbolt. This will allow you to run a "4K" monitor at 60 Hz, including scaling options and everything. :)
 
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Can someone buy a wrong new monitor for this 2012macmini?
im in the market for a 22” or 24” hdmi soon.
Thanks in advance
 
MBAir2010 said:
Can someone buy a wrong new monitor for this 2012macmini?
im in the market for a 22” or 24” hdmi soon.
Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
What resolution shall it have? Why HDMI?

For 22”, the options are 1920 × 1080 or 1920 × 1200.
For 24”, the options are 1920 × 1080, 1920 × 1200 or 2560 × 1440 (not via HDMI).
(Not mentioning “4K” monitors because of Mac mini’s 30 Hz limit).
 
Amethyst1 said:
What resolution shall it have? Why HDMI?

For 22”, the options are 1920 × 1080 or 1920 × 1200.
For 24”, the options are 1920 × 1080, 1920 × 1200 or 2560 × 1440 (not via HDMI).
(Not mentioning “4K” monitors because of Mac mini’s 30 Hz limit).
Click to expand...
HDMI has a thinker cable which carries a better signal and the cable wont fall out like a thunderbolt one might.
and resolution, I'm happy with Full HD (1080p) 1920 x 1080 at 60 Hz for digital art work and drawing.
Dell has several monitors that provide these specs in all assorted prices.
 
MBAir2010 said:
HDMI has a thinker cable which carries a better signal and the cable wont fall out like a thunderbolt one might.
Click to expand...
I’m inclined to agree to the "cable won't fall out" aspect (MiniDisplayPort doesn’t have any protection against that — but neither does HDMI!), but I've never had signal problems with DisplayPort (I've had two cables die on me but that could have happened with HDMI ones as well). DisplayPort is the superior interface (more bandwidth, no royalties to pay) but that doesn't really matter at 1920×1080. What matters is that macOS "sometimes" doesn't play nice with HDMI monitors, so I'd always go for DisplayPort to avoid problems.
 
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Amethyst1 said:
I agree to the "cable won't fall out" aspect, but I've never had signal problems with DisplayPort (I've had two cables die on me but that could have happened with HDMI ones as well). DisplayPort is the superior interface (more bandwidth, no royalties to pay) but that doesn't really matter at 1920×1080. What matters is that macOS "sometimes" doesn't play nice with HDMI monitors, so I'd always go for DisplayPort to avoid problems.
Click to expand...
Yup, my tabs on safari are blurred on the Samsung TV via Mojave but everything else is great.
i used a display port on my Macbook Air with no problems.
thanks for the display port advice, id love to get a 2010ish apple monitor,
but humans want too much in shipping fees, cant blame them tho.
 
Amethyst1 said:
I'd rather pay more for decent packaging than skimp and have it arrive shattered to bits and pieces...
Click to expand...
I agree, but some want $70 to 100 for shipping across a state line.
who knows what pixel condition and goes on with shipping these day, its too risky.
which is why for this mac mini a new unused monitor will work just fine.
 
My 2012 does 4k30 to a LG display over thunderbot/DisplayPort and needed no tweaks to do this (it’s on mojave). For me 30Hz is fine but everyone is different!
 
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dazey said:
My 2012 does 4k30 to a LG display over thunderbot/DisplayPort and needed no tweaks to do this (it’s on mojave). For me 30Hz is fine but everyone is different!
Click to expand...
how do you use? multimedia? or work-office?

I'm looking how I saw it in video because I don't have the option of connect it before buy it.

Probably best option as some mate told be before will be a HD 27" display.

But this one is UltraWide de 34'' WQHD (3440x1440) with spec relation of 21:9

could hold the performance for work (diferent docs and some video)?

the options will be 1920 × 1080, 1920 × 1200 or 2560 × 1440 (via Display port ) at 60hz.?

thanks i and sorry for ask again
 
How do I use it? Work-office, so rarely any video content other than zoom/teams etc.
There are of course the options to drop resolution for a higher refresh but I have no need for my use.
 
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