Can the 2020 Mac mini run the Pro Display?

[Silly John Fatty]

Apple doesn’t list it amongst the compatible Mac models. Does it maybe have to do with the GPU of the Mini? Or does Apple believe users of the Pro Display would automatically have something like a Mac Pro? It does run on MacBooks however. Weird…

 

[Agent OrangeZ]

No. And there is no 2020 Mini. It is the same 2018 model... they just bumped the storage.

 

[Silly John Fatty]

No. And there is no 2020 Mini. It is the same 2018 model... they just bumped the storage.

Yes, I’m aware it’s the 2018 model, I thought they maybe changed more to it. Why can it not run the Pro Display? How stupid is that.

 

[chrfr]

Yes, I’m aware it’s the 2018 model, I thought they maybe changed more to it. Why can it not run the Pro Display? How stupid is that.

It came out a year before the Pro Display and has a rather poor GPU. The Mini really is the 2018 model, nothing has changed except the price and the elimination of the 128GB storage tier.
You do have the option of adding an external GPU to drive the Pro Display, however.

 

[casperes1996]

Yes, I’m aware it’s the 2018 model, I thought they maybe changed more to it. Why can it not run the Pro Display? How stupid is that.

Because the Pro Display is a 6K monitor. You can probably output an image from the Mini, but it won't be 6k

 

[shaunp]

Yes, I’m aware it’s the 2018 model, I thought they maybe changed more to it. Why can it not run the Pro Display? How stupid is that.

Why would you want to run a Pro Display on an entry-level computer that doesn't even have a dedicated GPU? Just seems like an unusual combination.

 

[BeatCrazy]

Yes, I’m aware it’s the 2018 model, I thought they maybe changed more to it. Why can it not run the Pro Display? How stupid is that.

The mini would need to have a new CPU/iGPU in order to support 6K. Just can’t happen with 8th gen Intel CPUs.

 

[MisterAndrew]

The white paper will help answer your questions about the Pro Display XDR. You need a Blackmagic eGPU to use the Pro Display XDR with the Mac mini.

https://www.apple.com/pro-display-xdr/pdf/Pro_Display_White_Paper_Feb_2020.pdf

The answer posted on this page provides some insight as well: https://apple.stackexchange.com/que...port-the-apple-pro-display-xdr-at-6k-resoluti

 

[joevt]

Apple doesn’t list it amongst the compatible Mac models. Does it maybe have to do with the GPU of the Mini? Or does Apple believe users of the Pro Display would automatically have something like a Mac Pro? It does run on MacBooks however. Weird…

The Mac mini 2018 can support 5K probably.

A Blackmagic eGPU can give you 6K via Thunderbolt 3 connection.

An eGPU with a Navi type AMD GPU can also give you 6K via USB-C DisplayPort Alt Mode connection (Moshi bidirectional USB-C to DisplayPort cable). The W5700 has a USB-C port (use with USB-C cable supporting USB 3.1 gen 2 and DisplayPort) so you can also get the USB features of the display (brightness control and presets).

Thunderbolt 3 connection via external GC-TITAN RIDGE is not working yet. Needs code to enable PCIe tunnelling of non-Apple Thunderbolt 3 add-in cards (maybe possible soon...). This could allow 6K + USB 3.x with any Navi GPU. Possibly needs firmware flash to support dual HBR3 connection for 6K when not using Navi GPU.

 

[oneafour]

I have a black magic egpu connected to my Mac mini + Pro Display XDR.

works great would highly recommend. i7 + 32gb makes for a great budget as far as specs that would play nicely with a 6k XDR setup.