I am thinking about getting a new M1 Mac Mini to replace an older 2013 iMac. I also have a 2 27 inch Thunderbolt display. My question is can I use both the Thunderbolt displays with the following setup:
Mac Mini -> Apple Thunderbolt 3 to 2 Adapter -> Thunderbolt Display 1 -> Thunderbolt Display 2
So basically daisy chain the Thunderbolt displays by plugging 1 into the other. Nothing I read says I cannot do this but want to double check.
I am in the same boat. I also have an older DVI input with HDMI monitor that will not work with M1 Mac Mini. So the set up looks nice with two landscape 27" Apple Thunderbolt Displays and a portrait 27" Dell monitor, but only one 27" Apple Thunderbolt Display with Thunderbolt 2 to 3 adapter will work.
So as of now you CANT do this. Ive been racking my brain for a couple days now. And Apple support has nothing to say but "sorry for the confusion however we don't have a solution at this time".
Ive always ran Apple 27 Display connected to another Apple 27 Display then into either an iMac, MBP, or Mini. However with the new generation it says it only supports ONE display in Thunderbolt 3, and ONE display in HDMI.
I have tried HDMI into the apple recommended Belkin HDMI 4k -> Thunderbolt then connected that into the monitor and nothing.. such a shame. Going to end up returning the M1 Mac mini and possibly getting the 2018 intel based model.
Yes it will work, just one. The new M1 can only display two monitors at once. One being HDMI, and the other one thunderbolt 3. So you’ll have to get the adaptor. And if you want an extra monitor you’ll have to go HDMI but it can’t be another thunderbolt monitor since they require more information other than a video signal to turn on.
Looks like there is hope for us with working thunderbolt 2 displays.
This device is saying it would allow two monitors to be powered through thunderbolt 4 so we would just need 2 TB2 to TB3 adapters.
At the bottom of that link it says:
It appears that unless there is some kind of firmware change, the M1 will only support 1 external Thunderbolt monitor
So I have a 2021 M1 Mac Mini and cannot get a second monitor of any type to work with it. Seems we are stuck with only one monitor on a Mac Mini M1 (?). The only monitor that works is a brand new LG UltraFine 4K display plugged into USB-C.
My second monitor is a 27" Apple Thunderbolt Display that was working perfectly on my 2013 MacPro for the last 8 years. I've tried the apple-branded Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter and I've tried a 3rd-party https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B086MM1VKP/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1 adapter plugged into HDMI (and USB). Neither works.
Removing the LG UltraFine 4K and rebooting with just the 27" Apple Thunderbolt Display and again, it does not work. Plugging the LG UltraFine 4K into the USB-C works immediately. I just cannot see a path forward to getting two monitors to work on the new M1 MacMini.
It seems you are out of luck with 2 thunderbolt displays, on the apple website the mac mini has this video output:
Video Support
So can't have 2 monitors connected to 2 thunderbolts.
The M1 Mac mini can't run two Thunderbolt displays, but the LG UltraFine 4K Display does not have to be used as a Thunderbolt display. It comes with two cables: one Thunderbolt 3, one USB-C non-Thunderbolt. When using the non-Thunderbolt cable it can be connected to a non-Thunderbolt USB-C port.
LG UltraFine 4K Display - Apple
"Video, data, and power over a single Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) cable (included) or USB-C cable (included)
Connection: Thunderbolt 3–enabled Mac, USB-C–enabled Mac or iPad Pro"
Using the non-Thunderbolt USB-C cable, it should work from the computer's HDMI port with a HDMI to USB-C converter.
The Apple M1 spec makes no mention of anything but a single monitor over all its Thunderbolt ports. Good luck!
Best to reach out to Apple or go back to where you bought it. I cancelled my order because of this. Was super excited for M1 but this was a deal breaker for me.
look into a compatible Dock.
M1 Mac Mini and Thunderbolt Display
