Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

You are here: MacNN Forums > Hardware - Troubleshooting and Discussion > Mac Desktops > new mac mini and dual monitors....

new mac mini and dual monitors....
Thread Tools
Mac Enthusiast
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: UK
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Sep 15, 2009, 03:12 PM
 
hi all

I just recently went to my local Apple Store and one staff member told me that the new Mac Mini can run 2 monitors simultaneously for an extended desktop

is this true?

Would I be able to run my two VGA monitors off of it (because it has a mini dvi port and another type of video port

any ideas?

rich
PowerMac G5 Dual 1.8GZ, 2GB RAM, 150 & 300 GB Internal Hard Drives, AGP Geoforce 5200 64MB Graphics Card, Superdrive.
     
Posting Junkie
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: in front of my Mac
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Sep 15, 2009, 03:29 PM
 
Yep, that's true.

You can use the MDP and the Mini-DVI port at the same time. To run two VGA screens you'll have to get a VGA adapter for each port.
MDP->VGA, $29
Mini-DVI->VGA, $19
     
Mac Enthusiast
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: UK
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Sep 16, 2009, 05:12 AM
 
Originally Posted by Simon View Post
Yep, that's true.

You can use the MDP and the Mini-DVI port at the same time. To run two VGA screens you'll have to get a VGA adapter for each port.
MDP->VGA, $29
Mini-DVI->VGA, $19
thankyou

and by using two adaptors with vga monitors it will definently give me an extended desktop?

did the older mac mini allow this also?

rich
PowerMac G5 Dual 1.8GZ, 2GB RAM, 150 & 300 GB Internal Hard Drives, AGP Geoforce 5200 64MB Graphics Card, Superdrive.
     
Posting Junkie
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: in front of my Mac
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Sep 16, 2009, 05:24 AM
 
Originally Posted by rich82fox View Post
and by using two adaptors with vga monitors it will definently give me an extended desktop?
Yes.

did the older mac mini allow this also?
Not in the same way. It only had one video output (Mini-DVI). So dual displays on the old mini had to involve third-party "hacks" like DVI over USB (link, link).
     
Clinically Insane
Join Date: Dec 1999
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Sep 18, 2009, 01:39 PM
 
Check out Monoprice for any cables, they're super cheap and better built than Apple's.

They have Mini Display Port to VGA for $10 less than Apple, and it's a better built cable.

They also have Mini Display Port to DVI for under $10, 1/3 the cost of Apple.
Mini DVI to VGA adapter is only $6. 1/3 Apple's price.

(They're out of stock of the VGA adapters, might be my fault. My work just bought a bunch for our new laptop cart. )
"You develop an instant global consciousness, a people orientation, an intense dissatisfaction
with the state of the world, and a compulsion to do something about it. From out there on the
moon, international politics look so petty. You want to grab a politician by the scruff of the
neck and drag him a quarter of a million miles out and say, 'Look at that, you son of a bitch.'"
     
Mac Enthusiast
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: UK
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Sep 19, 2009, 03:01 PM
 
Olepigeon I remember you. You sed to post on macopz.com and ihateapple.com.

do you remeber me? I used to have the site www.iloveapple.net ?

rich
PowerMac G5 Dual 1.8GZ, 2GB RAM, 150 & 300 GB Internal Hard Drives, AGP Geoforce 5200 64MB Graphics Card, Superdrive.
     
Clinically Insane
Join Date: Dec 1999
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Sep 21, 2009, 07:44 PM
 
Can't say I remember you, but I do remember those websites. I haven't visited those in probably 10 years.
"You develop an instant global consciousness, a people orientation, an intense dissatisfaction
with the state of the world, and a compulsion to do something about it. From out there on the
moon, international politics look so petty. You want to grab a politician by the scruff of the
neck and drag him a quarter of a million miles out and say, 'Look at that, you son of a bitch.'"
     
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Join Date: Sep 2009
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Sep 25, 2009, 01:43 AM
 
I just purchased a mac mini to replace my dell pc. I have a 4 screen setup with the Dell and wanted to continue using the 4 monitors with the mac mini
The mac mini supports two displays, so I purchased 2 usb to vga adapters: OWC USB to DVI/HDMI/VGA Video Display (Up to... (VIDU2DVIA) at OWC
Installation was easy, just hooked up the adapters into the usb ports of the mac mini. installed the video drivers from the cd that was included with the adapters and then set up the configuration so I can easily move my cursor from monitor 1 straight across to monitors 2, 3 and 4. Works like a champ.
Ultimately, I would like to get 2 30" monitors which have enough screen real estate to basically give me the same as my 4 vga monitors, but have a much sharper resolution. I just cant justify the $1899 price tag, but I am sure they will drop as most flat panels have.
     
Senior User
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Miami
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Oct 13, 2009, 04:36 PM
 
I am waiting for the update to the Mac Mini line to get one and connect it to my living room 46" Samsung HDTV. Planning on using wireless keyboard and mouse or perhaps trackball, since I want to sit on my couch. It is amazing how much power one can fit into these small machines. Maybe Apple will have a Blue ray option available!

I also went to the Apple store and was told the current Mac Mini would handle the 46" HDTV screen resolution, I'd like to see if it is superior to what my current machine, a 2003 Powerbook, provides.
2011 iMac 2.7 i5, 16gb RAM, 1TB HD
Previous Macs: Apple IIc+, iMac 350 G3, iBook 700 G3, G4 Powerbooks 12" 1ghz & 15" 1.67ghz
Join Team MacNN.
     
   
Thread Tools
Forum Links
Forum Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On
Top
Privacy Policy
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:24 PM.
All contents of these forums © 1995-2011 MacNN. All rights reserved.
Branding + Design: www.gesamtbild.com
vBulletin v.3.8.7 © 2000-2011, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd., Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.3.2