Let me ask this (frustrating) question more directly: HOW can I tell whether an ultra-wide monitor will work with the new Mac mini? I've now gone through two — Samsung and LG — and neither work, regardless of the connector. What are the specs that would determine what would work? Why is this so insanely hard?
Mac mini 2018 or later
I've not tried the Apple TV option yet, but I did make this progress: Using a Mac mini (M1 2020) running Big Sur 11.0.1 and using an 8K Displayport to USB-C cable, I was able to get my LG 49WL95C-W 49" to offer 5120x1440, but only if I select the extended scaling options by holding the Option key while pressing "Scaled" in the Display preferences panel. That then gave me the choice of 5120x1440 "(low resolution)." Not sure what "low resolution" means. The resolution was not terrible, so can't wait till high resolution comes.
I have an iiyama GB3466WQSU connected to my new M1 Mac mini.
I simply connected it with the HDMI lead that came with the monitor and it worked straight away.
I improved it by enabling HDR in both the monitors menu and the Mac menu.
But basically it worked out the box correct screen ratio and everything.
Well, it doesn’t support Thunderbolt 3, the website doesn’t have a single review and the manual makes no mention of the Mac. In other words, what LG says is BS: they haven’t tested it with a Mac.
Bottom line: nice glass, but otherwise it’s a gas, gas, gas. I would return it. Going forward, I would avoid all ultra-wides for the same reason. Their specs don’t mean a thing unless they’ve tested it with Macs and back it up with details in their documents. Good luck.
What models and is it a dual setup? Have you contacted LG or Samsung?
The current one I'm fighting with is LG 49WL95C-W 49". LG blames the Mac. But I can't understand how having the latest Mac mini could possibly be insufficiently technically advanced. But more generally: what's the technical spec that should demonstrate that it should or should not work. I had assumed all this was science. It's feeling like early french art history.
No, but maybe someone else will chip in. You could try using an Apple TV and Airplay (hookup an ordinary monitor to the mini and Airplay to the Ultrawide-connected Apple TV).
wow. what an elegant solution. I'll see if it works.
😉, good luck!
Great, who woulda thunk...I wasn't even aware of a dongle like that. Maybe stick with it?
Really helpful, thank you. So that means you (or anyone!) doesn't know of any ultrawide that works with a Mac? I need it for virtual teaching and so split monitors won't help.
Mac mini and ultrawide
