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Is next spec Mini up from base worth $300 more?

The adapter I have from Apple is a DVI to VGA.
I've tried 2 different brands of DVI to HDMI cables and same issue with both.
The issue seems to be on Apple's end and may just be software related. I know they know about it so there really isn't a reason why a perfectly good monitor shouldn't work properly.
I have 2 (both is excellent condition with very good picture quality)with the same DVI connector so I just can't see spending money on another monitor for no reason.
I wonder when Catalina is coming out? I might just wait until then and see if that OS fixed the issue as some beta testers have said
 
steve333 said:
The adapter I have from Apple is a DVI to VGA.
I've tried 2 different brands of DVI to HDMI cables and same issue with both.
The issue seems to be on Apple's end and may just be software related. I know they know about it so there really isn't a reason why a perfectly good monitor shouldn't work properly.
I have 2 (both is excellent condition with very good picture quality)with the same DVI connector so I just can't see spending money on another monitor for no reason.
I wonder when Catalina is coming out? I might just wait until then and see if that OS fixed the issue as some beta testers have said
Click to expand...
There's no DVI or VGA port on the new mini so that means you're using a non Apple adapter of some type. I wouldn't expect an OS update to fix the issue if it's with the adapter or monitor but anything is possible.
 
steve333 said:
The adapter I have from Apple is a DVI to VGA.
I've tried 2 different brands of DVI to HDMI cables and same issue with both.
The issue seems to be on Apple's end and may just be software related. I know they know about it so there really isn't a reason why a perfectly good monitor shouldn't work properly.
I have 2 (both is excellent condition with very good picture quality)with the same DVI connector so I just can't see spending money on another monitor for no reason.
I wonder when Catalina is coming out? I might just wait until then and see if that OS fixed the issue as some beta testers have said
Click to expand...

The Apple genuine HDMI to DVI adapter which I use also is listed as compatible with Mojave for the Mini 2018 up until about 10.14.4 when something broke and made it temporarily incompatible by giving you the snowstorm effect during bootup and unplugging and replugging back gives you back the image, but I believe Apple fixed it in the 10.14.6 Combo update which was released not too long ago and I believe is carried over to Catalina. Apple had a habit of doing this by applying certain changes in the new OS update by allowing only their own genuine adapter to work while rendering others not so. But then this usually caused issues with their own adapter, unless they released new fix to resolve their own incompatibility which they did. So the key question is -- did you try the 3rd party adapter before 10.4.3 and under when you bought the Mini and does it work? If you could not get a display going even with 10.14.0 to 10.14.3 then it's your 3rd party adapter (HDMI-DVI) not Apple branded, because the Apple brand adapter works with the latest 10.14.6 with a compatible DVI monitor. The Apple branded adapter isn't overly expensive either compared to the Amazon brand.

I personally find that these 3rd party adapters will work for awhile with certain OS, but then becomes useless when the updates or new firmware are applied to the Mac rendering those adapters somewhat useless.

You can wait till Catalina to see if it provides support again for 3rd party adapter and that OS should be released in the fall.
 
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russell_314 said:
There's no DVI or VGA port on the new mini so that means you're using a non Apple adapter of some type. I wouldn't expect an OS update to fix the issue if it's with the adapter or monitor but anything is possible.
Click to expand...

I tried 2 different brands, it's an actual cable not just an adapter, DVI on one end and HDMI on the other end. Both didn't work. There really shouldn't be any difference between a Apple branded or third party when it comes to cables and such although with Apple you never know.

iluvmacs99 said:
The Apple genuine HDMI to DVI adapter which I use also is listed as compatible with Mojave for the Mini 2018 up until about 10.14.4 when something broke and made it temporarily incompatible by giving you the snowstorm effect during bootup and unplugging and replugging back gives you back the image, but I believe Apple fixed it in the 10.14.6 Combo update which was released not too long ago and I believe is carried over to Catalina. Apple had a habit of doing this by applying certain changes in the new OS update by allowing only their own genuine adapter to work while rendering others not so. But then this usually caused issues with their own adapter, unless they released new fix to resolve their own incompatibility which they did. So the key question is -- did you try the 3rd party adapter before 10.4.3 and under when you bought the Mini and does it work? If you could not get a display going even with 10.14.0 to 10.14.3 then it's your 3rd party adapter (HDMI-DVI) not Apple branded, because the Apple brand adapter works with the latest 10.14.6 with a compatible DVI monitor. The Apple branded adapter isn't overly expensive either compared to the Amazon brand.

I personally find that these 3rd party adapters will work for awhile with certain OS, but then becomes useless when the updates or new firmware are applied to the Mac rendering those adapters somewhat useless.

You can wait till Catalina to see if it provides support again for 3rd party adapter and that OS should be released in the fall.
Click to expand...
The cable I have and the one I returned has never worked. After the latest update still doesn't work. I have to unplug and plug back in the HDMI side connected to the Mini
I still have my DVI cable (not Apple brand) I used with my old Mini (not Apple brand) and I guess I can buy the Apple DVI to HDMI adapter and try it before returning the MINI (I have until 9/20 to return it). I'll check the Apple Store near me to see if they carry it.
What's obnoxious about the Apple Store (among others) is that you can't call the store directly. You can call the Apple Store number but it's in a different location and they won't connect you to a store employee.
 
OP:
re your problems with display not working or going black at startup.

Please read this again:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/defective-brand-new-mini.2195029/#post-27659708

I don't think "sending the Mini back and getting a replacement" is going to do much of anything for you. I could be wrong.

The 2018 Mini "black screen at boot" seems to be caused by something "deep down" in the OS that results in a loss of the video-out signal, and then a problem restoring it.

It seems to be worsened by the particular connecting cable one is using, and the display to which one is connecting.
Throw in all the possible "combinations" of displays and cables, and it becomes "a crapshoot" as to whether the Mini will boot reliably, or not.

I have no answer as to a definitive "fix".
But then, Apple has no answer, either, or they would have given it to us by now.

I can offer a workaround.
And YES, it's going to be "clunky".
Here it is:

- Use TWO HDMI cables (either two short ones or one long and one shorter one)
- Get an HDMI "switchbox" (these can be found cheap, they have one HDMI connector on one side, and two HDMI connectors on the other).
- Put this switchbox between the two HDMI cables
- Connect this to the Mini and to the display.

Now, if the screen "goes black" during boot and DOES NOT come back by itself, reach over to the switchbox.
Click the switch "the other way" (to the port with nothing connected).
Then... click it back to "normal".
Doing this physically "breaks and re-makes" the connection to the Mini.
I'm thinking this will "alert the Mini" to begin re-supplying a display signal to it.

This is my GUESS on how to work around the black screen at boot issue.
I haven't had to try it, because my Mini always "goes black" at boot, but then it ALWAYS "comes back".
But... obviously from your experience... some do not.
 
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I ordered the Apple DVI to HDMI adapter and picking it up tonight after work. Can always be returned if it doesn't work.
The reason I was thinking of returning it is partly because I'm thinking I should have gotten 16Mb RAM and partly because I don't know for sure if it's a physical problem or not.
If I buy a new one from Apple and the same issue occurs then I know for sure it's a OS thing and I would just have to get a DVI to USB-C cable to get around it. I can get a cable for 10 bucks from Amazon and I'd just be stuck with the DVI to HDMI cable because it'd probably be too late to return it but it also just set me back only $10.
Modern problems
 
OK, bought the Apple HDMI to DVI adapter. Same issue.
Going to return the adapter and send this Mini back and wait until there is a definitive fix for the issue.
I'm not dumping 2 perfectly good monitors
 
Bought a DVI to USB-C cable. It works if I turn the computer on first then the monitor.
Waiting for my new Mini to arrive. Bought the i3 model with 16Mb RAM.
 
Wow. I love digging through threads on this forum. I was about to send my 2018 Mini into Apple for repair for my display issue. I was getting a line down the center of the screen and another on the extreme left edge. It showed up at boot, persisted and didn’t show in a screen cap. I tried my old Mini and the monitor was fine. Apple Support was sure it was hardware even though the problem started immediately after the update to 10.14.6. After reading the posts in this thread I tried unplugging the HDMI cable after boot and voila... no lines. My monitor is and old 23”ACD with an Apple DVI to HDMI adaptor cable.

Thank you!
 
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Originalbitman said:
Wow. I love digging through threads on this forum. I was about to send my 2018 Mini into Apple for repair for my display issue. I was getting a line down the center of the screen and another on the extreme left edge. It showed up at boot, persisted and didn’t show in a screen cap. I tried my old Mini and the monitor was fine. Apple Support was sure it was hardware even though the problem started immediately after the update to 10.14.6. After reading the posts in this thread I tried unplugging the HDMI cable after boot and voila... no lines. My monitor is and old 23”ACD with DVI to HDMI adaptor cable.

Thank you!
Click to expand...

Just for completeness sake...is it the Apple DVI to HDMI adapter they included in the box with your older mini? Just curious. Not a gotcha question. Trust me, I have dealt with Apple’s dual-link DVI to DisplayPort adapter’s quirks to know that’s apple is not infallible when it come to these things.

EDIT: In my experience, I find the 23” ACD to be the most fragile of the three. The 20” ACD’s I have owned, used, leased are virtually unkillable. Dropped one on concrete, dented the chassis, put it back on the desk and kept going. 30” ACD is almost as unkillable, but backlight and LCD smear is a thing. Two 23” ACD’s and they both had premature backlight issues and solid lines. Just my observation, though.
 
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Zdigital2015 said:
Just for completeness sake...is it the Apple DVI to HDMI adapter they included in the box with your older mini? Just curious. Not a gotcha question. Trust me, I have dealt with Apple’s dual-link DVI to DisplayPort adapter’s quirks to know that’s apple is not infallible when it come to these things.
Click to expand...
Not 100% positive but I believe so. That’s a mid 2010 Mini.
 
Originalbitman said:
Wow. I love digging through threads on this forum. I was about to send my 2018 Mini into Apple for repair for my display issue. I was getting a line down the center of the screen and another on the extreme left edge. It showed up at boot, persisted and didn’t show in a screen cap. I tried my old Mini and the monitor was fine. Apple Support was sure it was hardware even though the problem started immediately after the update to 10.14.6. After reading the posts in this thread I tried unplugging the HDMI cable after boot and voila... no lines. My monitor is and old 23”ACD with an Apple DVI to HDMI adaptor cable.

Thank you!
Click to expand...

It's so odd that Apple can't come up with a fix. I ended up ordering a new Mini anyway since I didn't want to take a chance that Amazon sent me a defective Mini plus I decided I wanted 16 Mb RAM and the i5 chip was overkill for me anyway. So, it'll cost me another $200 since Amazon had the i5 Mini for $100 off but now at least I'll have enough RAM to last for a long time.
 
Zdigital2015 said:
EDIT: In my experience, I find the 23” ACD to be the most fragile of the three. The 20” ACD’s I have owned, used, leased are virtually unkillable. Dropped one on concrete, dented the chassis, put it back on the desk and kept going. 30” ACD is almost as unkillable, but backlight and LCD smear is a thing. Two 23” ACD’s and they both had premature backlight issues and solid lines. Just my observation, though.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I hate bailing on the 23” as it has hung on all these years. But it’s dim and not that sharp. Probably going to pop for Apple’s LG UltraFine 4K and hope Thunderboldt works better than HDMI.
 
Just got the i3 Mini with 256GB SSD and 16Mg RAM. Very fast, works well.
I hooked up my DVI Monitor with a CableMatters DVI to USB-C Cable and it works fine when I turn on the Mini first.
I also got a USB Hub from Green and so far I'm very happy with my set-up.
 
Moot point now, I've got 16Mb RAM and hoping this thing lasts me 10 years
 
Yeah, seeing on my box that my overpriced Mac was shipped from Shenzhen, China doesn't exactly give me warm fuzzies
 
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