Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

danangdoc · Nov 20, 2008, 07:47 PM

Is it possible to run two monitors on the intel core-2-duo mini? I know the CPU can do it, but the mini has one graphic card. Just wondering if anyone knows of a work-around. This would be to have different apps displayed simultaneously.

brassplayersrock² · Nov 20, 2008, 09:41 PM

a bit pricey though:

http://www.digitaltigers.com/sidecar.asp?bhcp=1

shifuimam · Nov 21, 2008, 09:08 AM

You could get a USB video adapter, but performance will, I'm sure, be less than satisfactory.

brassplayersrock² · Nov 21, 2008, 09:55 AM

those seem to only be for XP shif? nice idea though

mduell · Nov 21, 2008, 02:44 PM

Matrox DualHead2Go supports 2 displays at 1024x768 with a Mac mini.

brassplayersrock² · Nov 21, 2008, 02:53 PM

dang you mduell. another thing to add to my want list.

kelchm · Nov 21, 2008, 02:55 PM

Originally Posted by mduell

Matrox DualHead2Go supports 2 displays at 1024x768 with a Mac mini.

Just remember that the dock and menu bar will get split across both monitors.

Ted L. Nancy · Nov 21, 2008, 09:08 PM

You know for the price of these suggestions, you might as well just consider getting another mini. A old, slow, used mini would be more and better IMO

mduell · Nov 22, 2008, 12:03 PM

Originally Posted by kelchm

Just remember that the dock and menu bar will get split across both monitors.

Not if you move it to the side of the screen.

Simon · Nov 22, 2008, 12:05 PM

That might help with the dock, but not the menu bar.

I also think getting a used older mini is probably the better solution in the end. It takes some persistence though to find really cheap used minis. They manage to retain their value very well.

turtle777 · Nov 23, 2008, 02:35 AM

Originally Posted by Simon

That might help with the dock, but not the menu bar.

I also think getting a used older mini is probably the better solution in the end. It takes some persistence though to find really cheap used minis. They manage to retain their value very well.

Here's a novel thought: rather than buying a second mini, sell yours and get an iMac. Refurbs from Apple are great deals. And you get the monitor for free

-t

Simon · Nov 23, 2008, 03:03 AM

Originally Posted by turtle777

Here's a novel thought: rather than buying a second mini, sell yours and get an iMac. Refurbs from Apple are great deals. And you get the monitor for free

That's an excellent suggestion indeed.

The only catch is that right now the fun starts at $1299.

http://store.apple.com/us/browse/hom...deals/mac/imac

(It's a decent deal for what you get though.)

danangdoc · Nov 24, 2008, 02:16 PM

When I discuss my computer, I always tell people it's a Mac-Mini. I never say "I have a mini" because that often causes people to draw the wrong conclusion, and, well, you guys get the drift....". In any event, yes, Ted N. and I are thinking alike. Getting a 2nd Mini would be an inexpensive solution, and a provide me with a hell of a lot more flexibility in the long-run (like I can take it with me, with the small wireless keyboard and mouse). Cheap and easy to upgrade too! I just had 4 gigs of Ram installed (yes, it only sees 3.18 Gigs, but that's more than 2 gigs) for $150 including tax, and I'm going to install a 500 gig HD shortly. And they can stack on top of my LaCie external drive as well. This will be my solution. Thanks all! And I will look at the Matrox Dual-Head - thanks Duell!

danangdoc · Dec 5, 2008, 02:06 PM

Just one observation since my last post. Used core-2 duo Mini's are as rare as hens teeth. Anyone thinking of trading up to a macbook and wanna sell your mini (specs above)? I'm in eastern PA. I also note Apples 'non-Black Friday' sales didn't include the mini, and they never have them in their refurb store. Guess that says alot about the mini - in demand and never breaks!

thechidz · Dec 6, 2008, 12:07 AM

I agree with above about the price not justifying it. when will apple come out with a mini-tower????

Simon · Dec 6, 2008, 04:11 AM

Originally Posted by thechidz

when will apple come out with a mini-tower????

General consensus seems to be not anytime soon. Anyway, how should a mini tower be a replacement for a mini? The mini tower is an entirely different product.

tinkered · 05:49 PM

It kills me that you can't just slap a simple DVI to Dual VGA splitter on the Mini's DVI port and get dual displays. If you boot to Windows and install GMA950 drivers you can get it to work, which means the reason this can't be done under OS X is a driver limitation and not a hardware limitation.

Simon · Dec 10, 2008, 03:00 AM

The Mac mini has regular DVI, not Mini DVI.

Ted L. Nancy · Dec 10, 2008, 08:01 PM

Originally Posted by Simon

The Mac mini has regular DVI

Hmm. For how long?

Simon · Dec 11, 2008, 03:05 AM

The Mac mini has always had regular DVI. Since its introduction in Jan 2005.

The next release (if there is one) will likely come with MDP.

Ted L. Nancy · Dec 12, 2008, 01:48 PM

Originally Posted by Simon

The Mac mini has always had regular DVI. Since its introduction in Jan 2005.

The next release (if there is one) will likely come with MDP.

Agreed. Do you suspect that the miniDP will somehow be implemented into the Mac Pro as well, do you think it will have regular DIsplayPort, or do you think it will retain the DVI? (It all depends on the vid card, I know, but how far is Apple gonna take this miniDP thing?)