Video support: resolution, portrait mode and aspect ratio

mexibeetle,

As far as the resolution of 1680x1050 I cannot answer you. I have a Power PC mini as well as an intel mini. The resolutions available change based on the display connected, but neither of mine offer that particular resolution (the 17" monitor I have does not go that high on the PPC mini via VGA and the intel mini is hooked up to a 40" LCD TV via HDMI...those resolutions are either 1600x900 or 1920x1080)

Neither my monitor nor my HDTV list that particular resolution (1680x1050) as being available, regardless of what they are connected to, so I cannot say whether or not the mini is capable of driving a screen at that resolution.

As to portrait mode, on both the older and newer minis in the display preference pane there is the option to rotate your image...90, 180 and 270 degrees. Mounting your monitor horizontal or vertical should not pose any problem as far as I can see.

1) The mini will definitely drive 1680 x 1050. In fact, that is the resolution of the 20" Apple Cinema Display. But CaptTB is right. The resolutions you see in the list changes depending on what monitor is attached. That's likely why you aren't seeing that choice on your friend's mini.

2) Ditto to what CaptTB said. It works.

3) Bandwidth, yes, but not the cable's bandwidth limitation. It's the DAC inside the GMA 950 that hits a speed limit. And aspect ratio varies by format. Both the DVI and the VGA ports are capable of 4:3, 5:4, 16:10, 16:9, etc. It just depends on the format and the display.

Newer Minis will suport right up to 1920 x 1200, simply based on the horsepower of the Intel 950 chip. I have a 20" 1680 x 1050 panel which works great, and I've a friend with a 22" in that same resolution. I know that you can get 24" and 26" 1920 x 1200 panels for less and less. I am seriously thinking of changing to a 24".

Understand if you are trying to do full screen video at 1920 x 1200 it is not going to be stellar. If you are after large amounts of real estate and you have lots of apps _open on your screen at once_ - the Mini with a large monitor is a great fit.

Hello - my question is ' does portrait mode on the new mini Mac REALLY WORK ACCEPTABLY?'

i have older PPC minimac, and while there is a Portrait setting in the display prefs, performance totally ***** with horrible keyboard lag making portrait mode essentially UNUSABLE.

please advise - what is your actual experience with portrait on the new Intel miniMac?

I have a Samsung 971P that I use almost constantly in portrait mode and it works perfectly. Since I bought the display at the same time I bought the Mini, the store let me try the display with my new Mini before purchasing it. You might be able to do the same thing if you're buying a new display. I'd recommend the Samsung 971P - it's a beautiful display and works perfectly with the Mini, as well as matching the Mini's white design.

Claire