Tracy Reynolds
Level 3 (594 points)
Mac OS X

Q: Can an early 2009 mini support 2 VGA monitors?

I ask this because it has the same video processor as the late 2009 mini.  The late 2009 is the first Mac I bought new and when I tried hooking it up to two VGA monitors only one worked.  I discovered that one of the video out ports (mini display?) does not have an analog signal needed for a VGA monitor.  I have seen where the early 2009 mini came with VGA adapters for both video out ports.  I'm contemplating replacing my PPC G5 with an early 2009 mini because I like Leopard and iTunes 10 and the G5 is connected to two VGA monitors.

 

So, do you have 2 VGA monitors connected to an early 2009 mini?

 

The monitor brand I like currently offers monitors with only VGA and HDMI inputs.  They don't offer DVI inputs anymore.  When my current monitors (VGA, DVI and HDMI) need replacing I won't be able to use DVI.  One monitor has already died and luckily I bought a total of four when I bought them and put two back for another room.  Now I only have one for that room.

Mac mini, Mac OS X (10.6.8), Audio Production

Posted on Jan 16, 2016 1:21 PM

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Tracy Reynolds

Q: Can an early 2009 mini support 2 VGA monitors?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by lllaass,

    lllaass lllaass Jan 16, 2016 2:01 PM in response to Tracy Reynolds
    Level 10 (188,828 points)
    Desktops
    Jan 16, 2016 2:01 PM in response to Tracy Reynolds

    Yes. You need a

    -  mini DVI>VGA adopter.

    • Apple Mini-DVI to VGA Adapter Apple part number M9320G/A

    From: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mini-DVI

    The link for the Apple adopter does not return an adopter but I think it came with that adopter

    - And a mini displayport>VGA adopter. You need a good adopter. I have purchased some cheap, no-name adopters that did not work

  • by Tracy Reynolds,

    Tracy Reynolds Tracy Reynolds Jan 16, 2016 2:30 PM in response to lllaass
    Level 3 (594 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 16, 2016 2:30 PM in response to lllaass

    So, I can use a mini DVI>VGA adapter and a mini Display Port>VGA adapter to connect to two VGA monitors to an early 2009 mini?  I tired that on a late 2009 mini and it didn't work.

  • by lllaass,

    lllaass lllaass Jan 16, 2016 2:56 PM in response to Tracy Reynolds
    Level 10 (188,828 points)
    Desktops
    Jan 16, 2016 2:56 PM in response to Tracy Reynolds

    What specific adopter did not work?

    An Apple adopter?

  • by Tracy Reynolds,

    Tracy Reynolds Tracy Reynolds Jan 16, 2016 7:16 PM in response to lllaass
    Level 3 (594 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 16, 2016 7:16 PM in response to lllaass

    It was Apple adapter in an Apple package purchased form the Apple section of my local Best Buy.  When that happened I posted on this forum (in 2009) and was told by other users on this forum that the video card in the late 2009 mini did not put out an analog signal needed for VGA on the mini display port (or whichever port it was).

     

    I must have posted that under another ID that I don't remember the details for.  I can't find it my posts.

  • by lllaass,

    lllaass lllaass Jan 17, 2016 1:36 AM in response to Tracy Reynolds
    Level 10 (188,828 points)
    Desktops
    Jan 17, 2016 1:36 AM in response to Tracy Reynolds

    Apple says it works. Maybe you have a bum adopter.

    Apple Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter

    Part: MB572Z WW (except China, Taiwan, Korea); MB572FE (in China, Taiwan, and Korea)

    Use: Use the Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter to connect your Mac to a standard analog monitor, projector, or LCD that uses a VGA connector or cable.

    Compatible with:

    • MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Late 2012) and later
    • MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Early 2013) and later
    • MacBook Pro (Retina, Mid 2012)
    • MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2009) and later
    • MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008) and later
    • MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2009) and later
    • MacBook (13-inch, Late 2009) and later
    • MacBook (13-inch, Aluminum, Late 2008)
    • MacBook Air (Late 2008) and later
    • Mac mini (Early 2009) and later
    • iMac (20-inch, Early 2009) and later
    • iMac (24-inch, Early 2009) and later
    • Mac Pro (Early 2009) and later

    from:

    About Apple video adapters and cables - Apple Support

  • by Tracy Reynolds,

    Tracy Reynolds Tracy Reynolds Jan 17, 2016 5:15 AM in response to lllaass
    Level 3 (594 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 17, 2016 5:15 AM in response to lllaass

    It was six years ago.  I don't remember which video out didn't work with VGA.  Does the miniDVI>VGA adapter made by apple work on a late 2009 mini?

  • by Rudegar,

    Rudegar Rudegar Jan 17, 2016 6:21 AM in response to Tracy Reynolds
    Level 7 (28,591 points)
    Apple TV
    Jan 17, 2016 6:21 AM in response to Tracy Reynolds

    the connector, signals and protocol has not changed for dvi-d(i) and or vga ever