Connecting old Apple Cinema Display to new Mac Mini (M1)

I just bought the new Mac Mini with the M1 chip and wanted to connect an old 20" Cinema Display (A1080). So I called Apple Support and got a great tech that said to use a USB Type C (Thunderbolt 3) to DVI Adapter. I bought the Benfei USB 3.1 (USB-C) to DVI-D Adapter on Amazon. It works! Here's a run down of the connections:

1) Cinema Display DVI connects to the Benfei which connects to the Thunderbolt/USB4 port on the Mini

2) Cinema Display USB connects to the USB-A on the Mini

3) Cinema Display Mini Display Port (MDP) is left unconnected to anything

So I learned two things from the Apple tech: the Thunderbolt/USB4 port on the new Mac Mini M1 accepts USB-C and the MDP does not have to connect to anything.

To get full resolution on the 30" display you need DUAL-LINK DVI. Most DVI adapters are only single-link and limited to 1920 x 1200 maximum resolution.

https://www.startech.com/audio-video-products/cdp2dvidp

Thanks for the Benefei tip! I have 2, 23" cinema displays with a DVI connector and the Benefei DVI to USB Type C (Thunderbolt 3) adapter is perfect. I had another made by Kanex and it didn't work at all. For the HDMI to DVI connection the Apple adaptor works well. My beautiful Cinema displays live on!

I just bought and had this inexpensive (China made) USB-C to DVI adapter delivered and it WORKS. I paid RM 47 (USD 12) and now both my screens work; Dell U2721QM via HDMI and Apple Cinema 23" via USB to DVI adapter. Problem solved

https://shopee.com.my/product/292378938/7367859080

Unbelievable, I do not understand - I have not been using the Mac mini M1 for two days, I turned it on and the picture is correct, no ghosting, no flickering. (Big Sur 11.2, HDMI of Mac mini M1 - Apple HDMI to DVI Adapter - Apple Cinema HD 23-inch Display/first generation). It seems that Big Sur is unpredictable, it did not work correctly since the beginning, now it works, I did not change anything.

yes I have 2 displays connected; the other is a Dell U2720QM via USB-C. Before I got on to 11.2 I had to connect my Apple Cinema HD via USB-C to DVI (I used a cheap generic adapter from China) and then had to connect my 4k Dell display via HDMI but since 11.2 it has been solved and I can use that HDMI outlet for the Apple Cinema HD from 2006 so that I can reap the benefit of USB-C to use as a downstream high speed hub on my 4k USB-C Dell monitor

So don't send your Mac back to Apple; borrow any other monitor from your office, friend or neighbor just long enough to download 11.2 (or 11.3 public beta which is even better, if you have HomePod mini) and if you absolutely know nobody then order a cheap USB-C to DVI adapter online and wait a few days.

there IS a solution to this quagmire, trust me.

Thank you NavarroOne, I bought the USB-C to DVI adapter, and sent the Thunderbolt 2-3 adapter back to Apple. I now have both of the Cinema displays working well, a lot of the time. Unfortunately I am still troubled by one of the displays not waking up from sleep.

This seems to be a known problem with the M1 Mac Mini. Other people on Apple discussions have pointed out that there is no point in buying a new computer which saves you 900 ms on a Photoshop filter if you have to grovel under your desk 35 seconds to unplug and replug the display in order to make it work!

Additionally Dragon for the Mac doesn't work anymore and the Apple dictation is poor in comparison. The hard drive folders are all over the place and the widgets are annoying me. In summary the M1 Mac Mini is nowhere near the leap forward that the 2012 Intel Mac Mini was, it's not bad enough to return it, but it's not good enough to be enthusiastic.

I just got M1 Mini and I'm using an Apple cinema display with one of these:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DRQYWPD/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Amiroko USB-C to Mini DisplayPort Adapter, USB 3.1 Type C (Thunderbolt 3) to Mini DP Adapter Support 4K, 1080P for MacBook Pro, Alienware, to LED Cinema Display / Dell Monitor etc, Gray

IT WORKS FLAWLESSLY!

This article solves the connecting issues of Cinema Display to M1 Minis:

https://www.macworld.com/article/3534509/connect-old-apple-display-to-a-new-mac-to-give-it-new-life.html

It solved my issue with a 20" Cinema. I just checked, and it has a scenario for a 30" Cinema. Good luck.

Got this one for my old Cinema Display (with non-thunderbolt), working fine on my MacBook Pro 2019

https://www.amazon.de/LMP-16138-Kabel-USB-C-spacegray/dp/B071HQVPMC

Since 11.2 it works perfectly with my mac M1 and A1082 display via an Apple HDMI to DVI adapter

Thanks for that, I bought that adapter and can vouch that it works for me with the 23 Cinema Display

Unfortunately, the above mentioned Benfei USB-C to DVI adapter does not work with my Mac mini M1 and Apple Cinema HD Display. The picture is flickering.

My ACD 23 works fine with DVI to HDMI adapter, 30" Does not. 30" is connected with a thunderbolt cable to a USB-C adapter (don't forget to attach the USB cable as well )

I do not know if the problem is the HDMI output of the M1 but it does not work in these configurations:

1. "HDMI of M1 - Apple HDMI to DVI Adapter - Apple Cinema HD 23-inch Display", there are strong shadows of everything displayed on the screen.

2. "USB-C of M1 - Benfei USB-C to DVI adapter - Apple Cinema HD 23-inch Display", the screen is flickering.

3. "USB-C of M1 - Dell DA300 Hub - Apple HDMI to DVI Adapter - Apple Cinema HD 23-inch Display", the screen is flickering.