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

Top-ranking reply

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

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

original Apple HDMI to DVI adapter

Jan 28, 2021 11:07 PM in response to petermacik

Yes wake up works perfectly on HDMI-DVI

Feb 1, 2021 1:59 PM in response to petermacik

Yeah, that’s why I reverted back to 11.1

Feb 1, 2021 2:09 PM in response to Stewart Carlsson

That's just awful.... The mini M1 is out for 4 months now and the basic functionality advertised doesn't even work... Updates making things worse. That just isn't acceptable. APPLE GET IT TOGETHER!

Feb 8, 2021 2:37 PM in response to DaWozNiak

I installed 11.2 only to see my ACD 30" go black after 5 seconds, had to revert to 11.1!!!

Feb 9, 2021 2:33 AM in response to NavarroOne

Thanks NavarroOne, do you have two displays connected?

I'm going to have to work out how to update to 11.2 if I don't have a monitor, but I haven't given the M1 MacMini to UPS yet!

Feb 9, 2021 4:01 AM in response to NavarroOne

The flicker that were caused by 11.2 has now disappeared from my 1st. gen. ACD “23 (usb-c) 🥳

Feb 20, 2021 5:19 AM in response to Cooksey1337

I’d like to install Catalina on my M1 but that is of course not possible

otto265

Level 1

4 points

Mar 3, 2021 12:45 AM in response to pyrotom

Thank you very much for the answer, which shows exactly what Apple is threatening to become: complicated, commercial, not user-friendly. Would Steve Jobs have wanted it that way?

best regards

labecq

Level 1

8 points

Mar 5, 2021 11:14 AM in response to Adheft

Hi can you specify which kind of LED Cinema Displays you are using? Are they Mini DisplayPort or Thunderbolt2?

Mar 6, 2021 2:32 AM in response to otto265

The HDMI adapter is only single-link, but the USB adapters should give full resolution.

Have you tried holding the Option key while selecting resolution in Displays system preference?

otto265

Level 1

4 points

Mar 6, 2021 6:04 AM in response to Malcolm J. Rayfield

Yes, I did that because it says so in the instruction manual. I'm at the end of my tether. Best O

Mar 10, 2021 11:19 AM in response to rabrover

Have you tried to connect it via HDMI with an adapter ?

and the other one via USB-C and an adapter?

rabrover

Level 1

4 points

Mar 10, 2021 11:20 AM in response to Sir Miami

Yes. There are extended threads on why two TB Displays are not compatible.

Apr 16, 2021 9:17 AM in response to coligreens

Hey y’all. APPLE has resolved this issue with their previous update.

This thread can now be considered closed.

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