4k Monitor and Late 2012 Mac Mini

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Level 2

277 points

4k Monitor and Late 2012 Mac Mini

I've read a few posts that say the Late 2012 Mac Mini can run a 4k monitor at full resolution but is limited to 30Hz.

I'm still really happy with my Mac Mini running High Sierra I still use it for Graphics and Web work and it's still quick enough for my needs. I'm currently using a 30" Dell U3011 monitor at 2560x1600@60Hz but quite fancy upgrading to a 32" 4K monitor with 3840x2160 resolution.

My questions are 1. Will the Mac Mini run this size monitor and if it does run at 30Hz what does that mean in the real world?

Mac mini, macOS 10.13

Posted on Oct 7, 2020 3:26 AM

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Answer 1

den.thed

Level 10

95,390 points

Oct 7, 2020 4:45 AM in response to Alan Green

Alan Green wrote:

Will the Mac Mini run this size monitor and if it does run at 30Hz what does that mean in the real world?

Depends on what you run? You could actually notice some jerkiness and frame loss at 30Hz.

https://juicedsystems.com/blogs/news/4k30-vs-4k60

https://linustechtips.com/main/topic/378671-4k30hz-how-bad-is-it-really/

The Dell you have now is actually a really good match for your 2012 Mac Mini. If you are thinking about upgrading to a better monitor, then you also need to consider upgrading to the new Mac Mini with a better GPU.

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Answer 2

Alan Green Author

Level 2

277 points

Oct 7, 2020 5:45 AM in response to den.thed

Thanks for this. Really helpful. Yeah, I think I do need to consider getting a new Mac at some point soon. Did look at the iMac but I reckon I'll really miss the larger screen space that I have with a 30" 16:10 monitor compared to the 27" 16:9 iMac monitor.

I then looked at the latest Mac Mini and find it outrageous that they no longer have user replaceable RAM. Can't quite bring myself to spend an extra £600 for 32GB RAM!!!

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Answer 3

den.thed

Level 10

95,390 points

Oct 7, 2020 7:18 AM in response to Alan Green

Alan Green wrote:

Thanks for this. Really helpful.

You're welcome.

I then looked at the latest Mac Mini and find it outrageous that they no longer have user replaceable RAM. Can't quite bring myself to spend an extra £600 for 32GB RAM!!!

I hear you. Nearly $2000 for the 6core with a 1T and 32GB of RAM is a little more than I wanted to spend. I'm considering doing the RAM myself using OWC modules, like I have with all of the previous Mac Mini's.

Right now I'm running 2 2012 Mac Mini's upgraded with SSD's and 16GB of RAM. Personally I don't care for one large monitor and run dual 21.5" monitors on one and dual 24" monitors on the other. I also have a 2010 with SSD and 8GB for the grandkids to play with and a 2011 with SSD and 8GB as a media server. To be perfectly honest, I really don't need another Mac Mini and will most likely keep my eye out for a used 2018/2020 Mac Mini and DIY the RAM.

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4k Monitor and Late 2012 Mac Mini

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