Daisy chaining two USB-C monitors with macMini (2020)

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Level 1

9 points

Daisy chaining two USB-C monitors with macMini (2020)

I have a macMini (2020) arriving today from Apple and two (2) new monitors arriving tomorrow. The monitors are 24" with a resolution of

2560 x 1440 and have USB-C.

When I ordered my macMini, I also ordered one (1) Apple Thunderbolt 3 cord.

What is the "best" way to set this up? Perhaps using the Thunderbolt 3 cord from the macMini to Monitor #1 and then a USB-C cord from Monitor #1 to Monitor #2?

Advice/recommendations will be greatly appreciated.

Also any tips about using two monitors with a macMini and the macOS? This is my first time ever using two monitors!

My use will be mostly office work (documents, spreadsheets, pdfs, etc.) and web browsing. No gaming. No super heavy graphic uses or video editing, etc.

Thank you.

Stay safe and healthy.

Cheers,

Posted on Apr 8, 2020 10:59 AM

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Answer 1

den.thed

Level 10

91,342 points

Apr 8, 2020 2:22 PM in response to applepdx

applepdx wrote:

Again, thank you.

You're welcome.

So, with my current single TB3 cable the setup would be (correct ?):

Mac mini TB3 port to Monitor #1 USB-C port, via my TB3 cable

Mac mini HDMI port to Monitor #2 HDMI port, via HDMI cable

Yes

Then, when I get another TB3 cable the setup would be (correct ?):

Mac mini TB3 port to Monitor #1 USB-C port, via TB3 cable

Mac mini TB3 port to Monitor #2 USB-C port, via a separate TB3 cable

Yes

So, is the second scenario, using two TB3 ports on the Mac mini and TB3 cables to the USB-C ports of the monitors a "better" alternative to the first scenario (which I will start off with)?

It should't matter in your case, because the Mac Mini's HDMI port supports 4096x2160 at 60Hz, which is higher than your monitor's native resolution.

see > Mac mini - Technical Specifications - Apple

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Answer 2

Apr 8, 2020 4:34 PM in response to applepdx

Thunderbolt 3 cables will not work for a non-Thunderbolt USB-C monitors (except for some very short cables). Use the USB-C cables that come with the monitors to plug into two USB-C ports on the Mac mini. In general, avoid HDMI, especially for resolutions greater than 1080p.

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Answer 3

QuickPost

Level 10

103,437 points

Apr 8, 2020 11:15 AM in response to applepdx

Hello,

Something to consider is that while Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C use the same socket shape, they are entirely two different technologies. Thunderbolt supports daisychaining and USB-C does not. If these displays you ordered use USB-C rather than Thunderbolt than you will not be able to daisychain them.

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Answer 4

den.thed

Level 10

91,342 points

Apr 8, 2020 11:58 AM in response to applepdx

What exact monitors?

If they do not work plugging them directly into the TB3 ports with the supplied cables? Then you could put one monitor on the TB3 cable and the other monitor on the HDMI port, if the monitors also have HDMI input.

Connect multiple displays to your Mac mini (2018) - Apple Support

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Answer 5

den.thed

Level 10

91,342 points

Apr 8, 2020 1:56 PM in response to applepdx

You're welcome!

Yes you can connect one of those monitors to the HDMI port indefinitely or until you can get another TB3 cable.

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Answer 6

applepdx Author

Level 1

9 points

Apr 8, 2020 2:37 PM in response to den.thed

OK, got it. Understand now.

Thanks.

Cheers,

Bryan

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Answer 7

applepdx Author

Level 1

9 points

Apr 8, 2020 11:24 AM in response to QuickPost

OK, right, thank you.

I do know that Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C are not the same. These two monitors have USB-C, but not Thunderbolt 3.

When I started my search for two new monitors, I limited my search to only monitors that had Thunderbolt 3. Unfortunately, I learned there are not many selections available yet, and those that are were outside of my budget constraints. I presume that will change in the next couple of years.

So, I'll need to run individual cables from the Mac mini to each of the two monitors separately. Thus, no daisy-chain or direct connections between the two monitors. Correct?

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Answer 8

Apr 8, 2020 11:29 AM in response to applepdx

It is also a question of whether MacOS supports DP daisy chaining (since daisy chaining displays is a function of the display port protocol)? For years it has not, but I do not know about Catalina and TB3 as I have not tried it.

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Answer 9

applepdx Author

Level 1

9 points

Apr 8, 2020 12:23 PM in response to den.thed

Thank you.

The monitors are the Lenovo ThinkVision P24h-10 23.8 inch Wide QHD IPS Type-C Monitor.

https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/accessories-and-monitors/monitors/professional/P24h-10F16238QP123-8inch-Monitor-HDMI/p/61AEGAR3US

Cheers,

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Answer 10

applepdx Author

Level 1

9 points

Apr 8, 2020 2:08 PM in response to den.thed

Again, thank you.

So, with my current single TB3 cable the setup would be (correct ?):

Mac mini TB3 port to Monitor #1 USB-C port, via my TB3 cable

Mac mini HDMI port to Monitor #2 HDMI port, via HDMI cable

Then, when I get another TB3 cable the setup would be (correct ?):

Mac mini TB3 port to Monitor #1 USB-C port, via TB3 cable

Mac mini TB3 port to Monitor #2 USB-C port, via a separate TB3 cable

So, is the second scenario, using two TB3 ports on the Mac mini and TB3 cables to the USB-C ports of the monitors a "better" alternative to the first scenario (which I will start off with)?

I do appreciate your help and that of the others who have replied.

Cheers,

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Answer 11

applepdx Author

Level 1

9 points

Apr 8, 2020 4:45 PM in response to Malcolm J. Rayfield

Malcolm,

Thank you for your reply.

The Thunderbolt 3 cable is the one I purchased from Apple Thunderbolt 3 (USB‑C) Cable (0.8 m).

So, if I don't use that as one of my cables, what you are saying is that I should use the USB-C cables that come with the monitors, and plug them into the Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports on the Mac mini?

Cheers,

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Answer 12

Apr 8, 2020 5:08 PM in response to applepdx

That Apple cables is one of the short ones that supports both Thunderbolt 3 and USB. For your purpose, it won't work any better than the USB-C cables that come with the displays. Either will plug into the computer's USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 ports.

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