New Mini Display

[raineysky]

Just ordered a new i7/8/512 mini. It's a bucket list thing as this will be my first Mac. I have an old 2012 Dell monitor with a VGA connection that I will be using for a while. My question is what is the best adaptor to get to connect it to the Mini? All of the Thunderbird 3 ports will be available as well as the HDMI. Thank You

 

[Stephen.R]

Is VGA really the only input? no DVI?

 

[raineysky]

Not really sure. I'll have to look at it tonight when I get home. At the moment it's connected to my computer with the VGA connection.

 

[Stephen.R]

Do you know the model number, by chance?

 

[raineysky]

Sorry, no I don't. I'll find out tonight hopefully. It's a 2012 or 2013 21.5" Dell monitor. I'll be getting a new one soon.

 

[Stephen.R]

If it has DVI you could use a HDMI to DVI adapter or cable. A HDMI to VGA adapter/cable should also work, as a last resort.

 

[raineysky]

Sounds like DVI is the way to go. Thank You Stephen

 

[raineysky]

The model number is E2214H and it does support DVI-D, VGA. Any recommendations for a cable? Hope I can get one before the Mini gets here. Got a keyboard already on the way but forgot about the monitor setup.

 

[Stephen.R]

None specially no. Amazon seems to have plenty of choices in the $20-$40 range.

I guess my suggestion with cables is usually just to aim for the middle of the road - the absolute cheapest is potentially crap and won’t work reliably, but you don’t need Monster style “gold plated” crap that’s 5x the average price either.

 

[getrealbro]

The second monitor on my late 2014 Mac Mini is an antique DELL 2407WFP attached with a $6.99 Amazon Basics HDMI-DVI cable. Works great. This left a display port open to run a BenQ EW3270ZL.

GetRealBro

 

[raineysky]

Thanks guys. Good to know about the Amazon Basics cable. That's the first thing that came up in search.

 

[Fishrrman]

Don't worry, the VGA display should work fine. Others will jump in and say, "don't use the VGA connection, it won't look good", but I'll predict that it will do plenty well enough until you get a newer display.

You need a USB-c (Mac end) to VGA (display end) converter.

Apple sells one, it's a bit expensive but has extra ports:
https://www.amazon.com/Apple-USB-C-VGA-Multiport-Adapter/dp/B00VU2NHVG

There are generic ones that are cheaper. I would take a chance with something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Adapter-MacBook-Thunderbolt-Converter-Aluminum/dp/B0785PLLCH

or this:
https://www.amazon.com/Adapter-uni-...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=92N02NGCERF5FEPG4C4Q

If you want to try DVI, here's a plugable.com USB-c to DVI adapter:
https://www.amazon.com/Plugable-Chromebook-Thunderbolt-Supports-1920x1200/dp/B01FIR1O4A

Or, perhaps this:
https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters-Adapter-USB-C-Black/dp/B012B58JRM

 

[getrealbro]

...You need a USB-c (Mac end) to VGA (display end) converter....

I'm confused -- why waste a USB-C port to drive a 1080p monitor? When the HDMI port will work just fine with a much less expensive cable ($6.99).

GetRealBro

 

[Stephen.R]

Yeah I don’t understand this. HDMI to DVI is a passive conversion, and if you have to buy something anyway why get the worse thing?

 

[EightyTwenty]

The guy who recommended VGA is giving horrible advice.

HDMI to DVI is the way to go.

 

[Fishrrman]

I'm the guy who suggested using VGA, at least until the OP gets the needed cables, etc.

Having used it myself (connecting a Mac Mini to a 1080p display), I really didn't perceive any noticeable difference between the image "from VGA" to one "from HDMI" to one "from DVI".

They all looked about the same to me.
But... perhaps that's just me.

 

[Stephen.R]

at least until the OP gets the needed cables

But this is the part that makes no sense. He needs to get a cable no matter how he connects it.

All of the Thunderbird 3 ports will be available

I just noticed this. Im giggling to myself now imagining string puppets trying to plug in USB-C cables.

 

[getrealbro]

FWIW I had my Dell 2407WFP hooked up via a VGA cable and a Display port to VGA adapter on my 2014 Mini and it worked just fine. BUT…

I only did that because I already had both the VGA cable and the Display port to VGA adapter. I would not recommend buying an adapter just to use an old VGA cable, when a new $6.99 Amazon Basics HDMI - DVI cable will work just as well. That's what I'm using now and it freed up a more valuable port.

GetRealBro

 

[raineysky]

Thanks Everyone!!! The Mini, keyboard & mouse, and cable all arrive on time. The Mini arrived ahead of schedule. Only problem is I won't be able to hook everything up until Wednesday the 13th when I get a day off. Bummer

I went with the AmazonBasics HDMI - DVI cable for now. Gonna get a new monitor in April/May (unless I get antsy). Thanks Again....