Level 6

16,014 points

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

I'm thinking about getting one of the new Mac Mini computers. I was thinking about using my existing display with it, but am unsure if it will be supported. I believe the older models do support it with an adapter. Unfortunately they had USB-C ports and this one has USB-4 ports. I don't know if USB-C and USB-4 are interchangeable here. Anyone know? If they have a better adapter choice, I'm open to suggestions. I'm assuming the USB 2.0 connector will work with the USB A port (display uses USB 2 and mini DisplayPort).

Hardware I wish to connect to (2020 M1 mode):

https://www.apple.com/mac-mini/specs/

Display I wish to connect (non-thunderbolt):

https://support.apple.com/kb/sp597?locale=en_US

Adapter I'm thinking to use:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N4FQNYW?ots=1&th=1

Mac mini 2018 or later

Posted on Nov 14, 2020 11:18 AM

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JaiMM

Level 1

9 points

Posted on Jan 22, 2021 10:19 AM

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.

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119 replies

Adheft

Level 1

13 points

Dec 13, 2020 3:16 PM in response to Devmer11

Hello. I have two A1316 Apple Cinema Displays.

I pulled up the manual for the A1267 you mentioned and it looks like this model connects with Mini Display port connectors (Same as what the manual for my Displays show) so I imagine that it would work.

Good luck!

Jan 8, 2021 11:58 PM in response to NavarroOne

I got the exact same setup and problem.

only works 1 sec via HDMI on one of my 23” screens.

the other is hooked up via USB-C/DVI adapter, which works great. This one: https://www.amazon.com/Thunderbolt-Adapter-Converter-Compatible-MacBook/dp/B0768RFQ83

when I switch the adapters with the other screens, I get it somehow working. The usb-c adapter works great on both screens. But the HDMI on the other screens is weird. It does show the output BUT it looks like “burn in pixels” and with high contrast quality.

my screens are not from the same year. I believe Apple made 2 generations of these ACD. The older one has a yellow tint (the one that shows the hdmi output). The newer one has a blue tint and looks clearer. That’s the one that only works 1 sec and then goes into snow.

I could never calibrate both screens to look exactly the same color ever and I had these screens for over 10 years.

Jan 20, 2021 8:34 AM in response to tfunkaz

WOW, this works perfectly! Thanks for the suggestion! Mac mini M1 + Apple Cinema 23"

Jan 20, 2021 10:43 AM in response to Sir Miami

Post above from petermacik

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

Jan 21, 2021 7:06 PM in response to Stewart Carlsson

Saw this today on YouTube, perhaps it may help?

https://youtu.be/6qsA48xQouU

Jan 21, 2021 11:51 PM in response to Sir Miami

Unfortunately, after 15 minutes the same flickering ("USB-C of M1 - Benfei USB-C to DVI adapter - Apple Cinema HD 23-inch Display").

Jan 28, 2021 8:03 AM in response to Sir Miami

Yes indeed

Jan 28, 2021 5:44 PM in response to petermacik

that's the exact setup I have and it works (on the beta 2nd release candidate)

pmiles Author

Level 6

16,014 points

Nov 20, 2020 8:38 AM in response to Robert Pena

Is your adapter HDMI 2.0? It's the only spec that Apple seems to refer to in regards to the port on the new M1 Mac mini.

That being said, no one seems to be able to get ANY of the older Apple Cinema Displays to work on the new M1 Macs. These same displays with the appropriate adapter work on the previous INTEL versions of Macs, but not on the new M1 Macs.

I've seen a video where someone is using an HDMI to USB-C connection to a Mac Book Pro M1, but so far no examples of the Mini DisplayPort to USB-C working at all.

So for those following this thread, assume that the older Apple Cinema Displays are incompatible with the M1 Macs until proven otherwise. So far all evidence says they are incompatible, even though the current Apple documentation says it should be compatible.

Nov 20, 2020 5:02 PM in response to pmiles

Thank you for your response. I did not take that into account. Things have changed for me since 2007-2008 lol😜.

After looking for adapters and prices and availability I decided instead putting together a Lego like adapters from my Apple Cinema with ADC connector to HDMI or, forgot this important bit of info, USB C connector I decided buying a new monitor and leave the only one behind. Still works and great view with only the back stand leg breaking off sometime ago. Booted right up with my new LG with the provided HDMI cable and so pleasantly surprised with Big Sur and this snappy M1 Mac  Mini. ツ

tfunkaz

Level 1

9 points

Nov 23, 2020 4:01 PM in response to pmiles

I had an issue connecting a 23" Cinema Display HD to my M1 Mini using the DVI to HTML adapter. However, a DVI to USB Type C (Thunderbolt 3) adapter worked fine, no issues. It was $14.99 on Amazon from BENFEI (don't need the $150 equivalent mentioned in other posts).

pmiles Author

Level 6

16,014 points

Nov 24, 2020 3:24 PM in response to pmiles

It has been confirmed that the Mini DisplayPort Apple Cinema LED Displays do work with a Mini DisplayPort to USB-C connector to the M1 Macs.

Below adapter has been confirmed to work by both the manufacturer and users:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N4FQNYW?ots=1&th=1

Other Mini DisplayPort to USB-C adapters may also work.

Make sure that your display is the Mini DisplayPort version as the 27" Apple Cinema LED display came in two versions, one Mini DisplayPort the other Thunderbolt 2. Thunderbolt 2 looks very similar to Mini DisplayPort but is in fact, different. You cannot use a Thunderbolt2 to USB-C adapter with a Mini DisplayPort display nor can you use a Mini DisplayPort to USB-C adapters with a Thunderbolt 2 display.

Adheft

Level 1

13 points

Dec 7, 2020 9:48 AM in response to pmiles

I am running a new M1 Mac Mini and have 2 Apple Cinema displays running on it. I had a hard time getting the right adapters but finally found a working solution. One Display is connected using the USB C Port and the other is on the HDMI Port. Here are the adapters I got to solve this problem:

Mini Display port to HDMI: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B086MM1VKP/

Mini Display port to USB C: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DRQYWPD

Hope this helps!

Adheft

Level 1

13 points

Dec 13, 2020 10:17 PM in response to CoreySch

You're welcome! Yes that is unfortunate. From what I understand, you can convert Thunderbolt to HDMI but not the other way around. You can't have an adapter with a female thunderbolt port to male HDMI connection.

mclavus

Level 1

4 points

Jan 4, 2021 6:44 PM in response to CoreySch

CoreySch

A1407 Thunderbolt Cinema Diplay version has a Thunderbolt 2 input (on the back).

The A1407 monitors can be linked together using this connector.

Try to connect the first monitor using the Thunderbolt 3 - Thunderbolt 2 APPLE MMEL2ZM / A Adapter with mac M1.

And connect the second monitor to the first monitor using the original Thunderbolt 2 cable.

Check, it may work.

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