External Dell Monitor AND Mac Mini

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Level 1

12 points

External Dell Monitor AND Mac Mini

Help.

Prior post has disappeared, so...

I have a 'new' Mac mini ( latest 2018) and cannot get any of my monitors to display properly. Everything is blurry and eye straining. Primary monitor is a Dell S3220DGX. It is connected via HDMI 2.0 port to the Mini. I have spent hours on this, including a long call with Apple tech support, and have adjusted settings, preferences, smoothing, etc. Dell claims the monitor is OSX compatible, Apple tech support does not have a list of compatible monitors, the only external monitors on the web site are an LG and the Pro series. I'm willing to return the Dell and buy another monitor, but don't want to be squinting my way into another headache. Are there any fixes or am I wasting time trying? Thank you in advance...

Posted on Aug 3, 2020 1:09 AM

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Answer 1

hcsitas

Level 6

13,166 points

Aug 3, 2020 3:31 AM in response to rover3d

The mini’s HDMI port is iffy for anything beyond plain-vanilla monitors which your display clearly isn’t. You should get better results by connecting any of of it’s Thunderbolt 3 ports to the monitor’s DisplayPort port using an adapter like this one https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters-DisplayPort-USB-C-Supporting/dp/B01J6DT070

Good luck!

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Answer 2

rover3d Author

Level 1

12 points

Aug 3, 2020 11:42 AM in response to hcsitas

Many thanks for the advice. I'll give it a shot. That said, Dell is now hinting that the monitor may not be compatible, and when I tried to check for the latest driver version, only Windows downloads are listed. I'm really running into a dead end since both Dell's sales and tech support swore the monitor 'works great on Mac.' I'm wary enough about going through this mess again that I'm considering returning the Mini since I don't know that I wouldn't have the same issues with a different brand monitor. Not even Apple phone support promises compatibility with anything other than their pro series, which are around $5k. If you, or anyone out there, know of a 27-34" monitor that works with a Mac Mini out of the box, please let me know. Again, thank you.

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Answer 3

hcsitas

Level 6

13,166 points

Aug 3, 2020 11:48 AM in response to rover3d

If you want full, permanent freedom from monitor issues, swap the mini for an iMac 27”. Otherwise, swap the monitor with any 27” without exotic designs like curved, extra wide etc. Yes, even Dell. Good luck.

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Answer 4

rover3d Author

Level 1

12 points

Aug 3, 2020 11:53 AM in response to hcsitas

Thanks again. I already placed an order for the cable you suggested.

Unfortunately iMac production is backed up by months. That is, in part, how I ended up buying the mini. Thank you for the insights.

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Answer 5

rover3d Author

Level 1

12 points

Aug 3, 2020 12:12 PM in response to hcsitas

Not to overcrowd this, but I should add that the second monitor is a Viewsonic connected via USB C to DVI. It, too is blurry. Plus, I connected my late 2012 Macbook Retina to the Dell and the Viewsonic, and that picture was also blurry. So...if it was strictly a Dell issue, that leaves the Viewsonic unexplained; and if it were a Mac Mini issue, why is my Macbook also blurry on the monitor? I am stuck. Thanks to any for insights...

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