I am looking to set up my mini with 2 identical monitors and won't pay $2000 for thunderbolt... What are my options? The best option I could find for under $800 is the dell 24 inch ultrasharp 2412m x 2 both running at 1920 x 1200, one with hdmi to dvi and the other minidisplayport to dvi... Anyone have other suggestions?
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Dual monitor setup for new Mac mini
- Thread starter mfkap
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I was looking for something to use with photo editing, aperture, good color calibration. Some gaming, not crazy shooters though. Only other requirement is I would like same resolution on both, and I think 27" is going to be too big for where they are going.
If you can tweak your budget slightly, the Dell U2410 are impressive 24" IPS displays. I'm hoping to pick up another one in the near future, now that I ordered a system which can handle two monitors
What adapters will you use for the two screens?
If you can tweak your budget slightly, the Dell U2410 are impressive 24" IPS displays. I'm hoping to pick up another one in the near future, now that I ordered a system which can handle two monitors
Is the gain from the U2410 over the 2412m really going to be significant? I am actually looking at the Asus PA248Q right now as it is the same panel as the Dell but offers USB 3 hub built in as well.
I was planning on the Thunderbolt to DVI for one and HDMI to DVI for the other.
Hope you realize that HDMI/DVI ports on the Mini can only drive 1920x1200 resolution max. A single Thunderbolt display can drive 2560x1440. So your two displays can give you only about 1/4 more screen estate than a single TB display.
In other words - the Thunderbolt display paired with Mini is a money well spend. Asus/Dell screens - not so much.
I have a pair of HP LP2475w monitors that I bought about two years ago. I use them for Photoshop work so wanted something high quality. IRC, I got the pair for less than a grand. I'm not sure they still make them, however.
The Dell monitors he is looking at are only 1920x1200 so no problem driving both of them. And for the price you can get 2 x 1920x1200 for less than a single 2560x1440 monitor and still have more screen resolution.
Yes, just 25% more. I would rather have a single TB display than 2x Dell displays. Cleaner setup, built-in speakers, iSight camera, and better overall quality.
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I find that the two-monitor setup works really well with Aperture, you can have the contact sheet on one screen and the full image on the other, also makes the two-up view pretty easy to use. I also just find it fits my workflow well, I have had 2 screens for the past 6 years and can't imagine not having it now. I think I am going to go for the two Asus, there is a rebate till the end of the month so they are $289 each at the moment on amazon.
cancel, 289 after rebate +30 gift card! to upgrade your ram on the macmini hehe
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236287
The U2410 has, in addition to others ports, a DisplayPort and an HDMI connection. No adapters required, though I did have to pick up a MiniDP-DisplayPort cable from Monoprice.
Excellent, thank you for letting me know.
I currently use a 30" ACD and would rather be using dual monitors, like at work, even at a much lower resolution for the stuff I do I find it much better for my workflow.
Thanks again,
G.