Thunderbolt adapters

[marclondon]

For connecting a DVI monitor am I looking for a USB-C to DVI adapter for the latest Minis?

Also any recommended multi-purpose hubs for USB 2, DVI, VGA, HDMI?

 

[Stephen.R]

Well the Mini has HDMI out, so it probably depends what ports specifically you need when (I assume you don't need HDMI, DVI and VGA all at once?)

There are plenty of HDMI to DVI adapters and cables available. For HDMI obviously you just need a HDMI cable, and VGA I believe you can also get a simple HDMI adapter cable.

When you say "USB2" I guess you mean USB Type-A (i.e. the 'original' USB port) - the Mini has two USB Type-A ports (which are advertised as USB3.1 Gen1 @ 5Gbps, but the tests I've done indicate they're actually 3.1 Gen2 @ 10Gbps ports) which are backwards compatible to USB2 or USB1.1 devices.

If you need more USB Type-A ports, you could either run a regular hub from one of the USB type-A ports, get a USB hub with a Type-C cable, or get a USB hub and a type-A to type-C adapter (which could be used in conjunction with the hub, or could be a new cable to replace the hub's cable, if it's removable).

If you can be more specific about which devices you want to plug in (i.e. a printer will work fine on USB 2.0 speeds or on a hub, an external hard drive will be noticeably faster if its using a USB 3/3.1 port directly)

 

[marclondon]

I'm running dual DVI monitors - just want to carry on when new Mini arrives. Already have HDMI to DVI adapter, so need presumably a USB-C to DVI for the other?

Printers are wireless. Have several USB2 external storage drives - presume I can run them off monitor ports with monitors connected to new Mini. Need one port though for wired Apple keyboard.

If buying one new monitor as I will do soon do they come with USB-C ports?

Well the Mini has HDMI out, so it probably depends what ports specifically you need when (I assume you don't need HDMI, DVI and VGA all at once?)

If you can be more specific about which devices you want to plug in (i.e. a printer will work fine on USB 2.0 speeds or on a hub, an external hard drive will be noticeably faster if its using a USB 3/3.1 port directly)

 

[Stephen.R]

presumably a USB-C to DVI for the other

That's definitely an option, yep.

If buying one new monitor as I will do soon do they come with USB-C ports?

Some do, and those that do often have a USB hub too (although it may be speed limited depending on the resolution of the display).

A lot will still be DisplayPort or HDMI. Another option to save some ports (depending on what monitor ports you need) is a TB3 to Dual DP|HDMI (i.e. its either dual DP or dual HDMI) adapter. I have a dual DP model from OWC, works a treat (running 2 4K displays from a single TB3 port on the mini)

 

[purplealert]

I'm using the following USB-C to DVI adaptor for my Cinema HD display which I've attached to my 2018 MM:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0768RFQ83/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This one has given me no problems at all, I tried a Cable Matters version and that caused all sorts of trouble, although I suspect it may have been faulty. I've found that using the HDMI connection was generally less good for me as it was often a fuzzier image, 30Hz connection? Maybe the cable I was using though.

I've currently got two monitors connected, the USB-C to DVI to the Cinema HD and an LG 4K display which I can switch between USB-C to DP(internal intel graphics) and also via an eGPU(Radeon 560) for when I need the extra graphical power.