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Why does the M1 Mac Mini only support 1 display over Thunderbolt?

My guess would be artificial limitation as ithe M1 is positioned as the lower end model until the M1X, or whatever will be part of the config that replaces the i5/i7 Macs, arrives. Also, it could be a limit to ensure a certain minimum GPU performance.
 
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The article was an eye opener!
It says the M1 Mini has 2 independent TB bus while the 4 port Macs have 2 as well.

You would think that 2 separate TB bus would give you 2 separate TB displays ?

Maybe it is a limitation of the GPU.

Would love to have both TB ports available for displays plus the HDMI for a total of 3 displays.
 
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I assume, it is a graphics subsystem limitation. As impressive as the M1‘s 8 GPUs are, especially in terms of efficiency, you can’t expect them to stack up to high-end, dedicated graphics cards.

The M1 supports up to 6K on one display and up to 4K on another — not a bad capability. In comparison, for example, the 27-inch iMac default configurations support up to 5K (integrated display) and up to 6K on one external or the 5K display plus up to two 4K external monitors. And that’s with a minimum of a Radeon Pro 5300 (4 GB). The iMac can support up to 5K + 6K + 6K, but that “requires Radeon Pro 5700 or Radeon Pro 5700 XT” (BTO options), which have 8 and 16 GB of dedicated RAM respectively — the total amount of unified RAM on the M1.

Nevertheless, the M1X (or whatever) will have more cores, perhaps 12 CPU and 12 GPU, plus include options for up to 32 GB or possibly 64 GB of unified RAM. In which, it should have plenty of resources to drive three displays. I will guess a minimum of 6K + 4K + 4K. Of course, that’s just an educated prediction.
 
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I have the m1 Mini...be advised that compared to my mid 2011...the microphone jack is gone...very limited USB ports and when I did a backup from my PorsheDesign HD to populate the mini...NONE of the usernames and passwords transferred....I am going back to my mid2011 + transferring music from the Mac to the iPhone is slow and complicated now.
 
Ocala2020 said:
I have the m1 Mini...be advised that compared to my mid 2011...the microphone jack is gone...very limited USB ports and when I did a backup from my PorsheDesign HD to populate the mini...NONE of the usernames and passwords transferred....I am going back to my mid2011 + transferring music from the Mac to the iPhone is slow and complicated now.
Click to expand...
You can always get a dock or hub. Some of those have microphone ports. My $500 microphone is USB so it doesn't bother me.

Here is one I preordered: https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/owc-thunderbolt-hub Makes 1 Thunderbolt port into 3 Thunderbolt ports
 
Sorry to get off-topic but...
xWhiplash said:
My $500 microphone is USB so it doesn't bother me.
Click to expand...
Five hundred dollars, huh. I wasn't aware of that, so I did a quick search and 😯.
www.americanmusical.com

Large Diaphragm Condenser Mics | American Musical Supply

Order Large Diaphragm Condenser Mics from American Musical Supply. Get 0% interest payment plans, fast free shipping, & extended coverage warranty.
www.americanmusical.com www.americanmusical.com
I even saw one for $3,600. Wowzers!

I truly enjoy and admire (talented) musicians, vocalists and instrumental, as well as have audio knowledge, (more so in output than input). I also haven't worked in a studio (setting) and probably don't fall within the technical definition of an audiophile. Nonetheless, I am genuinely curious. Do these microphones really perform 10 to 100x the budget competition?
 
MacCheetah3 said:
Sorry to get off-topic but...

Five hundred dollars, huh. I wasn't aware of that, so I did a quick search and 😯.
www.americanmusical.com

Large Diaphragm Condenser Mics | American Musical Supply

Order Large Diaphragm Condenser Mics from American Musical Supply. Get 0% interest payment plans, fast free shipping, & extended coverage warranty.
www.americanmusical.com www.americanmusical.com
I even saw one for $3,600. Wowzers!

I truly enjoy and admire (talented) musicians, vocalists and instrumental, as well as have audio knowledge, (more so in output than input) -- haven't worked in a studio and probably don't fall within the technical definition of an audiophile. Nonetheless, I am genuinely curious. Do these microphones really perform 10 to 100x the budget competition?
Click to expand...
I do not know about those thousand dollar ones, I got the Shure SM7B (which looks like its $100 off on Amazon now 😥). I can clearly tell the difference with headsets and $20-$100 mics. Technically its a XLR interface microphone, so I have a Focusrite Scarlet that connects to my computer via USB.
 
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