Mac Mini M1 not recognizing the monitor

[Loyola]

I am setting up my new mini that I bought a few weeks ago. The mini will not recognize either of the monitors I have. Both monitors are really old - Dell IN2010N and 1909W - but both work on my 2010 iMac. Since I haven't had time to purchase new adapters, I have tried two HDMI to VGA adapters that work on my dad's laptop.

I have reviewed all of the connections and they look fine, plugged and unplugged and restarted the mini.

Any suggestions? The computer is really useless to me if I cannot use 2 monitors once I get the UBS C to VGA adapter. If I have to buy new monitors I should have just bought a new iMac.

 

[sublunar]

the point of getting the mini is you can choose cheaper monitors if you do not need a 4.5k Retina display. the briefest of searches suggests that the hdmi port on the M1 mini won’t drive a vga display. something hanging off the thunderbolt port might but that takes up a valuable port.

one thing to try is a usb-c hub with a vga port on it if you are definitely wanting to use the old monitors, but to use both will probably block up both of the thunderbolt ports and cost you extra money that could have been put towards A newer monitor

 

[Loyola]

the point of getting the mini is you can choose cheaper monitors if you do not need a 4.5k Retina display. the briefest of searches suggests that the hdmi port on the M1 mini won’t drive a vga display. something hanging off the thunderbolt port might but that takes up a valuable port.

one thing to try is a usb-c hub with a vga port on it if you are definitely wanting to use the old monitors, but to use both will probably block up both of the thunderbolt ports and cost you extra money that could have been put towards A newer monitor

The Apple website should explain this a little better. It wasn't explained on the tech specs. If it was then I just didn't get it.

Thanks for the information.

 

[Loyola]

The 1909W has a DVI-D connection. I think I should be able to use a HDMI to DVI-D cable.

 

[sublunar]

The 1909W has a DVI-D connection. I think I should be able to use a HDMI to DVI-D cable.

That might work but you’d need to use some sort of usb-c hub for the other monitor. A rare number of them come with vga connectors that I have seen. You would get stuff like extra usb 3 ports and perhaps a card readers with other ones.

 

[Loyola]

That might work but you’d need to use some sort of usb-c hub for the other monitor. A rare number of them come with vga connectors that I have seen. You would get stuff like extra usb 3 ports and perhaps a card readers with other ones.

I am having trouble finding a HDMI to DVI adapter or cable at the stores locally. It looks like I might have to go to the Apple store to purchase the following if I want something now.

Power & Cables - Mac Accessories

Find cables, charging docks and battery cases for Mac. Charge and sync up your Mac. Buy online with fast, free shipping

www.apple.com

 

[sublunar]

I am having trouble finding a HDMI to DVI adapter or cable. It looks like I might have to go to the Apple store to purchase the following if I want something now.

Power & Cables - Mac Accessories

Find cables, charging docks and battery cases for Mac. Charge and sync up your Mac. Buy online with fast, free shipping

www.apple.com

That's strange because Amazon UK sell one from their Basics range. Since you link to the US Apple Store the Amazon US site seems to have deprecated them though - no surprise there considering it's an old connector format and there was always a slight uncertainty with DVI-D vs DVI-I connectors on the monitors themselves. $29 on an Apple adapter is a lot to spend - eBay may be the next port of call for many I would guess as there's plenty of people selling there.

As for USB-C adapters - this was near the top of the search results on Amazon US. It includes a VGA connector - I can't vouch for how good it is and there's a few similar but rarer adapters that do USB-C to DVI.

There also seems to be a thread on this forum that details other issues.

In all I would be tempted to look for a nice modern display without connection question marks. It's just a question of ecomomics I guess, as purchasing adapters that don't work is a false economy, especially if the old monitors then die off due to age. It all depends on your budget.

 

[Loyola]

That's strange because Amazon UK sell one from their Basics range. Since you link to the US Apple Store the Amazon US site seems to have deprecated them though - no surprise there considering it's an old connector format and there was always a slight uncertainty with DVI-D vs DVI-I connectors on the monitors themselves. $29 on an Apple adapter is a lot to spend - eBay may be the next port of call for many I would guess as there's plenty of people selling there.

As for USB-C adapters - this was near the top of the search results on Amazon US. It includes a VGA connector - I can't vouch for how good it is and there's a few similar but rarer adapters that do USB-C to DVI.

There also seems to be a thread on this forum that details other issues.

In all I would be tempted to look for a nice modern display without connection question marks. It's just a question of ecomomics I guess, as purchasing adapters that don't work is a false economy, especially if the old monitors then die off due to age. It all depends on your budget.

Again thank you for all of your help and information. Hopefully I don‘t have all of the issues once I get connected.

I should have been more clear. The Apple adapter is the only item that I can get locally. Best Buy and Microcenter didn’t have anything. I did try something from Microcenter but I couldn’t get it to connect to the monitor. It could have just been an issue with the specific item. Yes Amazon has multiple options if I want to wait.

Here is what I am thinking for USB-C to VGA for the second monitor.

USB 3.1 Type-C 3-Port Hub with VGA

The USB 3.1 Type-C™ 3-Port USB™ 3.0 HUB provides extra connectivity from your computer. These pocket-sized multi-adapters allow you to add 3 additional USB™ 3.1/3.0/2.0 ports for computer peripherals, along with a VGA through your USB Type-C™ port. USB Type-C™ is the new standard for connecting...

en.j5create.com

I do plan to get new monitors at some point. Amazon had a great price on the mini after a Discover Cash discount was added so I decided to buy. Right now I am trying to keep expenses low. My company just sold my division. I am losing my bonus and benefits are much more expensive. In addition I have no idea how long I will have a job.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP wrote:
"I am having trouble finding a HDMI to DVI adapter or cable."

Huh...????

Amazon.com: Hdmi To Dvi Adapter Cable

Amazon.com: hdmi to dvi adapter cable

www.amazon.com

 

[Loyola]

OP wrote:
"I am having trouble finding a HDMI to DVI adapter or cable."

Huh...????

Amazon.com: Hdmi To Dvi Adapter Cable

Amazon.com: hdmi to dvi adapter cable

www.amazon.com

I clarified in a later post because I realized I left out some detail. Locally I am having issues.

I will update the original post so that I am not confusing.

 

[Loyola]

@sublunar Thanks again for all of your help. I was able to get the monitor to work with a HDMI to DVI cable that I obtained at Mirco Center. For some reason I couldn't get the first cable to connect to the monitor but the second one attached just fine.

It will be interesting to see if I have issues when I connect the second monitor.