is there a 27" Thunderbolt display equivalent for a 2018 mac mini?

[gpspad]

I have someone thinking of replacing their 2012 mac mini and Thunderbolt display with a new 2018 mac mini. The thing is they are used to the 27" Thunderbolt monitor and its built in face time camera and speakers. They don't need external speakers and like the ability to adjust the brightness and sound from the keyboard.

They are not ready for a separate camera clamped on the screen and speaker wires. Are there any good displays that can take the place of the old 27" Thunderbolt display?

For a clean look are they better off with an iMac?

A little behind the times and trying to catch up.....

 

[F-Train]

... are they better off with an iMac?

As the owner of both an iMac and a 2018 mini, and based on what you are saying, there is in my mind no doubt whatever that the person who will be using the computer will likely be happier with an iMac.

 

[casperes1996]

The LG UltraFine 5K is what Apple officially let take the place of the Thunderbolt display. Apple will likely make a future iteration themselves, but for now, the LG display is the official successor to the Thunderbolt display. It has built in cam, mic, speakers, and you can control it with the Mac keys.

Another option is to continue using the Thunderbolt display with an adapter

 

[F-Train]

The LG UltraFine 5K is what Apple officially let take the place of the Thunderbolt display. Apple will likely make a future iteration themselves, but for now, the LG display is the official successor to the Thunderbolt display. It has built in cam, mic, speakers, and you can control it with the Mac keys.

Another option is to continue using the Thunderbolt display with an adapter

One of the reasons why I suggested going with an iMac is that the LG Ultrafine 5K costs US$1300. If you don’t have a specific reason to own a Mac mini, there’s a point where an iMac makes more sense financially. A $1300 monitor is a real factor in that calculation. Of course, there’s also the 4K Ultrafine, but that means going to a smaller monitor that is also pricey for its size.

I realise that this is a Mac mini crowd, but I purchased one for a specific need - portability - and would have waited for the new iMac, given that I already have one, otherwise.

 

[casperes1996]

One of the reasons why I suggested going with an iMac is that the LG Ultrafine 5K costs US$1300. If you don’t have a specific reason to own a Mac mini, there’s a point where an iMac makes more sense financially. A $1300 monitor is a real factor in that calculation. Of course, there’s also the 4K Ultrafine, but that means going to a smaller monitor that is also pricey for its size.

I realise that this is a Mac mini crowd, but I purchased one for a specific need - portability - and would have waited for the new iMac, given that I already have one, otherwise.

I agree entirely with your assessment. Just figured that since you already recommended the iMac, I'd chime in about the display in case the person in question was locked down on the mini.

 

[gpspad]

Thanks that is helpful.....

I never considered them just getting the 2018 mac mini and to keep using there old display, I am guessing that would work if they don't care about the best screen resolution?

I think they still very much like their old thunderbolt display and are happy with the resolution.

One last question, the 2018 mac mini has multiple TB3 ports. Could you run two apple 27" thunderbolt display's with TB2-TB3 adapters in the new 2018 mac mini?

The old ones might not have had the power for that, but that would be a cool economic option for multiple screens in an economical package. I have seen a lot of used thunderbolt displays lately.

 

[casperes1996]

I never considered them just getting the 2018 mac mini and to keep using there old display, I am guessing that would work if they don't care about the best screen resolution?

If you get the right adapter I see no reason it shouldn't work at all.

One last question, the 2018 mac mini has multiple TB3 ports. Could you run two apple 27" thunderbolt display's with TB2-TB3 adapters in the new 2018 mac mini?

Hmmm. I mean, the bandwidth should be sufficient, but I don't know of any adapter that splits a single TB3 port into 2x TB2. Of course running the displays off of two separate TB3 ports should be entirely possible.
According to Apple's page on it, three displays are supported at once up to 4K, and if a 5K display is involved, only two displays. By the sound of things the display bandwidth over Thunderbolt and the way it's wired to the GPU seems to allow for a max of two displays over Thunderbolt and the last one over HDMI, but if the resolution is just QHD or FHD maybe you could run three off of only Thunderbolt.
You can also see confirmation that TB2 displays are supported on Apple's page if you want to see it for yourself

 

[FreakinEurekan]

One last question, the 2018 mac mini has multiple TB3 ports. Could you run two apple 27" thunderbolt display's with TB2-TB3 adapters in the new 2018 mac mini?

Only one adapter is required, the 2nd TBD will daisy-chain off the first one.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP wrote:
"I never considered them just getting the 2018 mac mini and to keep using there old display, I am guessing that would work if they don't care about the best screen resolution?
I think they still very much like their old thunderbolt display and are happy with the resolution."

Take them to an Apple Store to see a 27" 5k iMac.
See what they have to say about it...