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You are here: MacNN Forums > Hardware - Troubleshooting and Discussion > Mac Desktops > Mac Mini Displays: Does 1920x1200 Matter?

Mac Mini Displays: Does 1920x1200 Matter?
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selowitch
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Feb 12, 2012, 08:58 PM
 
I need a display for a mid-2011 Mac Mini. I can't afford a Thunderbolt Display. Does it matter if I pick a monitor with 1920 x 1080 as its max resolution? Do I need an adapter if the monitor uses HDMI or DVI?
     
Waragainstsleep
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Feb 12, 2012, 10:10 PM
 
The Mini has MiniDisplayport and HDMI and will happily drive a monitor of 1920 x 1080 from either port. You should have gotten an HDMI to DVI adaptor in the box with it.

If you wanted to use higher resolution than that, you would need to use the Minidisplayport which would require an adaptor.
I have plenty of more important things to do, if only I could bring myself to do them....
     
selowitch  (op)
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Feb 12, 2012, 10:54 PM
 
Originally Posted by Waragainstsleep View Post
The Mini has MiniDisplayport and HDMI and will happily drive a monitor of 1920 x 1080 from either port. You should have gotten an HDMI to DVI adaptor in the box with it.

If you wanted to use higher resolution than that, you would need to use the Minidisplayport which would require an adaptor.
But is it worth considering a 1920 x 1200 display and its 16:10 aspect ratio? You do gain a few extra pixels.
     
reader50
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Feb 13, 2012, 01:48 AM
 
1920 x 1200 is a good display. If you really want extra pixels, consider two. One on each port.
     
selowitch  (op)
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Feb 13, 2012, 02:25 AM
 
Originally Posted by reader50 View Post
1920 x 1200 is a good display. If you really want extra pixels, consider two. One on each port.
I wonder if it makes much difference.
     
Googer-Giger
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Feb 14, 2012, 10:33 AM
 
It depends on what you like to do, for someone who uses their Mac more for media, especially movies, 1920x1080 (16:9) is perfect. I prefer 16:10, especially since I spend a lot of time on the web, (it's nicer to have more vertical space for less scrolling).
I miss the days of the G5 and XPS Pentium 4 running side by side as high-end machines.
     
selowitch  (op)
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Feb 14, 2012, 11:50 AM
 
Originally Posted by Googer-Giger View Post
It depends on what you like to do, for someone who uses their Mac more for media, especially movies, 1920x1080 (16:9) is perfect. I prefer 16:10, especially since I spend a lot of time on the web, (it's nicer to have more vertical space for less scrolling).
This really is the kind of answer I was looking for. So it's useful for some, but not absolutely essential, to find a monitor offering 1920 x 1200 resolution. Thank you!
     
miawj
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Feb 24, 2012, 11:26 AM
 
Unless you have money to burn the correct* choice is between a 17" 1280x1024 and a 1920x1200. What is the point of a 1920x1080? What does it give you a cheapo 17" doesn't? If you want the extra width you're as well going for the extra height.

Mind you, switching from 1280x1024 to 1080 is not as crazy as my local library - who changed their 1280x1024s for 1440x900s!!! For a library!

Edit: to clarify, the reason for suggesting bumping up to 1200 is if you want to read or edit A4 (or foolscap) documents (particularly nowadays with the infestation of ribbons eating vertical estate.) Yes, 1080 is tall enough but you are always in danger of occasionally having to indulge in irritating nudging.

Edit again: not all programmes share Word's wrap-to-window option (and that only works with single column documents.) (Example - Acrobat brochures)

*correct as in my opinion.
( Last edited by miawj; Feb 24, 2012 at 11:55 AM. )
     
   
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