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

The M1 Mac mini supports only one display from its Thunderbolt/USB-C ports, so daisy-chaining two Thunderbolt displays won't work. There is no way to run two Thunderbolt displays since a second display must use the Mac mini's HDMI port, and there is no way for a Thunderbolt display to connect to a non -Thunderbolt port.

Malcolm J. Rayfield

Thank you for your answer.

I have a question.

Is there any solution (Apple or other adapter) to connect two monitors

1 -A1407 Thunderbolt Cinema Diplay

2 - traditional monitor with HDMI or DVI

to MacBook Air M1 ?

No. The M1 chip supports only two displays. The laptops has one display so only one external display.

There is DisplayLink

https://www.displaylink.com/products/usb-adapters

but the graphics performance will be much reduced.

Mine does that too, on 1 of my 23" ACD... its like the pixels stays put!

But it doesn't behave that way via the TB3 adapter, only via HDMI.

On my other ACD, it only works for 1 second, then it goes into "snow" -each time I disconnect/connect via HDMI :(

I have a Mac mini M1 and an Apple 23" Cinema HD Display A1082 aka M9178LLA bought in 2006

I got the original Apple HDMI to DVI adapter and it gives me about 1 second of perfect picture after which the picture changes to show white noise only.

I know the HDMI port on the Mac is good and I know the Cinema Display is good so it is a compatibility issue.

Is there any way to connect to DVI via USB-C? Apple doesn't make an adapter as far as I know.

I may give that adapter a shot, thank you.

My other monitor is a Dell U2720QM which is a 4k USB-C thin-bezel excellent pairing with the Mac Mini; since it has an HDMI input I can still push 4k to that screen via HDMI if I occupy a USB-C port for the Apple Cinema HD display; though I would prefer to use USB-C to the monitor as it enables downstream USB-A and USB-C connections as well as sound via the Dell monitor.

The image on the Cinema HD display via HDMI to DVI is excellent, for the 1 second it lasts....

This is what it looks like 1 second later, though

Thanks! I have tried connecting my 2010 era apple keyboard both USB-A to USB-A and also via a USB-A to USB-C adaptor and still getting the same icons. I have a wireless apple trackpad rather than mouse.

No, problem not solved :)

The issue is not whether a second screen can be added to HDMI or not.

The issue is HOW TO fix the problem on adding Apple's own Cinema Display (aluminum) to the new M1 Mac mini via HDMI.

The issue is still relevant as there's no fix to this (yet).

Either Apple needs to update software or firmware for this work.

Because the ACD screens DOES work via the USB-C port but not via HDMI port (even with their own "Apple HDMI to DVI" adapter). Other screen-brands also works via the HDMI port, as you mentioned yourself, but not Apple's ACD :(

So that's what this thread is about ;)

I hear you, that would be ideal but for my OTR, I test my case as I now run dual screens and derive value from my trusted Cinema HD screen.

I do have an expensive Apple HDMI to DVI adapter which doesn’t serve well as a paper weight or doorstop....!

Me too 🤣 i own 2 of those expensive piece of sjit adapters, because at first I thought the issue was the adapter.

looks like a sjitty paperweight to me too.

it just doesn’t make sense to me, that Apple advise you to use their expensive adapter, and it’s supported for the new M1 and lots of LCD screens, just not their own LCD (aluminum version if ACD).

way to go apple, sell more of your new products and screw people on the old stuff that they have :(

That method has always been working, Stewart Carlsson.

the issue here is not “how to get ACD to work on M1”.

the display is not the problem. The usb-c to DVI adapter is also not the problem.

the problem is the HDMI output in the M1. It doesn’t work with an advertised adapter that they sell on their website.

As we all know, the hdmi output on the M1 is a 2.0. The ACD is not a hdmi screen, but a DVI.

So maybe it has something to do with ACD not supporting the newer hdmi?

either way, Apple should have seen this coming with a solution.

btw I’m also using a USB-C adapter from Benfei. It also flickers, but only for 5 minutes, then it disappears. I guess it goes away then the displays has warmed up?!

Hi Adheft, I am in a similar position as you! I have a M1 mini with two A1407 27" Displays. Like you, I've used one mini display port to USB-C and I believe I will need to purchase another mini display to HDMI. Here's my question (I think I've already answered it myself, but I wanted to confirm with someone else). The mini display port adapter must be female and plug into the cords (not the monitor) on the apple display, correct? I purchased a male-male mini display port to HDMI and attempted to plug it in directly to the monitor with no success.

Am I correct?

How is it connected? USB - C to dual link dvi adapter? Or USB - C to mini DP + Mini DP to Dual link DVI?

Crazy to see that the release notes for Big Sur 11.2 include 'the solution for DVI screens connected through HDMI to DVI adapter to be just black' and you're experiencing the exact opposite.

My issues are with 23" ACD connected with the M1 through HDMI to DVI adapter. Terrible persisting windows even after reboot, pink squares and unsharp picture due to what looks like a checkered micromesh being displayed...

Again: When will Apple solve this saga with DVI monitors on the M1 Mini???

Thanks... This is from MacRumors forum: "RC3 had still external monitor wake-up issues with DisplayPort to USB-C cable. Needed to replug the monitor to get signal."

Does wake-up work correctly with HDMI-DVI? Thank you.