What dongle(s) are best for the Mac Mini 2018/2020?

[pers0n]

Just curious, are there any that allow for 3 monitors? Or do I need to get 3 dongles to do everything?

 

[StandingGoose]

Just curious, are there any that allow for 3 monitors? Or do I need to get 3 dongles to do everything?

From the Tech Specs on the Apple site:

• Up to three displays:
  
  Two displays with 4096-by-2304 resolution at 60Hz connected via Thunderbolt 3 plus one display with 4096-by-2160 resolution at 60Hz connected via HDMI 2.0

No dongles needed.

 

[pers0n]

From the Tech Specs on the Apple site:

• Up to three displays:
  
  Two displays with 4096-by-2304 resolution at 60Hz connected via Thunderbolt 3 plus one display with 4096-by-2160 resolution at 60Hz connected via HDMI 2.0

No dongles needed.

My monitors are older, so one has HDMI and the other 2 DVI

 

[Stephen.R]

A bunch of companies (owc, Akitio, etc) make their own version of essentially the same TB3 to dual (HDMI|DP) adapters.

You could pair one of those with 2 HDMI to DVI or DP to DVI cables. It’s more cost than just using 2 USB-c to dvi cables but you’ll save a TB3/USB-C port.

 

[djc6]

I like Stephen.R's suggestion - something like this:

StarTech.com Thunderbolt 3 to Dual HDMI 2.0 Adapter - 4K 60Hz Thunderbolt 3 Certified - Dual Monitor HDMI Video Converter Adapter - Mac & Windows compatible - Dual 4K Display HDMI (TB32HD24K60)

StarTech.com Thunderbolt 3 to Dual HDMI 2.0 Adapter - 4K 60Hz Thunderbolt 3 Certified - Dual Monitor HDMI Video Converter Adapter - Mac & Windows compatible - Dual 4K Display HDMI (TB32HD24K60)

smile.amazon.com

and then two HDMI to DVI cables - these are inexpensive passive cables since HDMI and DVI are electrically compatible.

Or a much cheaper router, but consumes two USB-C ports, there are USB-C to DVI cables:

Cable Matters USB C to DVI Cable (USB-C to DVI Cable) 6 ft - Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 / Thunderbolt 3 Port Compatible with MacBook Pro, Dell XPS 13, 15, HP Spectre x360, Surface Pro

Cable Matters USB C to DVI Cable (USB-C to DVI Cable) 6 ft - Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 / Thunderbolt 3 Port Compatible with MacBook Pro, Dell XPS 13, 15, HP Spectre x360, Surface Pro

smile.amazon.com

Also USB-C to DVI female adapters so you can use existing DVI cables, but I prefer the integrated the cable above without needing an adapter:

Cable Matters USB C to DVI Adapter (USB-C to DVI Adapter) in Black - Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 / Thunderbolt 3 Port Compatible with MacBook Pro, Dell XPS 13, 15, HP Spectre x360, Surface Pro and More

The Cable Matters USB Type-C to DVI Adapter is specifically designed to connect new release thin computers and Ultrabooks to existing display monitors and projectors with DVI. Preserve your investment in current displays equipped with DVI. This adapter provides essential compatibility wi...

smile.amazon.com

And then your HDMI capable monitor plugged directly to HDMI port on mac mini

 

[pers0n]

Thanks for the links. Ive been using those single DVI adapters for my work laptop, seems the cheapest way. The rest of those dongles are crazy expensive.

 

[drmeatball]

I have this.. works flawlessly 👍

TS3 Plus | Thunderbolt 3 Dock – CalDigit

www.caldigit.com

 

[N9JIG]

I have used 3 32-inch monitors on my 2018 Mac Mini using a straight HDMI cable to one and TB3-HDMI or TB3 to DP for the other two. I have also used an HDMI to DVI for one monitor while I was waiting for a new monitor to arrive.

I now use a Sonnet Breakaway Puck with DP-HDMI cables for 3 monitors and occasionally a straight HDMI cable for the 4th when I have that one going. an external GPU is probably the best solution to use a single TB3 port for multiple monitors rather than a dongle/breakout box.