M1 Mac Mini display adapters

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Level 1

8 points

M1 Mac Mini display adapters

I have a 30 inch Apple Cinema HD display with a DVI cable and a 24 inch Apple LED Cinema display with a mini Displayport cable. I'd like to plug one monitor into an M1 Mac Mini HDMI port and the other into one of the 2 Mac Mini Thunderbolt ports. I'm very confused. Looks like no one sells Mini Displayport to Thunderbolt 3 adapters and, from what I've read on the web, the DVI to HDMI adapters don't work well on the M1 Mac Minis. Anyone have any success with adapter combinations for old Apple displays?

Posted on Jun 21, 2021 4:30 PM

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Answer 1

Jun 21, 2021 10:08 PM in response to jozl

You can connect the 30" display to one of the Thunderbolt/USB-C ports with a USB-C to DUAL-LINK DVI adapter.

https://www.startech.com/audio-video-products/cdp2dvidp

You can connect the 30" to the HDMI port with a HDMI to DisplayPort adapter

https://www.startech.com/audio-video-products/hd2dp

followed by a DisplayPort to DUAL-LINK DVI adapter.

https://www.startech.com/audio-video-products/dp2dvid2

You can connect the 24" display to one of the Thunderbolt/USB-C ports with a USB-C to Mini DisplayPort adapter

https://www.uptab.com/usb-c-to-mini-displayport-adapter-4k-60hz-silver/

You can connect the 24" to the HDMI port with a HDMI to DisplayPort adapter

https://www.startech.com/audio-video-products/hd2dp

followed by a DisplayPort to Mini DisplayPort adapter

https://www.startech.com/cables/dp2mdpmf6in

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Answer 2

Jun 22, 2021 6:50 PM in response to jozl

When Apple introduced computers with new display connectors they did offer adapters for their older displays For example, in the early 2000's they used ADC (Apple Display Connecter. When newer Macs dropped ADC in favour of DVI, Apple oiffered the DVI to ADC adapter

https://www.amazon.com/Apple-M8661LL-DVI-Display-Adapter/dp/B00011KHT2

I used one of these adapters for many years to connect an Apple 21" display to a 2008 Mac Pro.

When Macs started using Mini DisplayPort, Apple offered the Mini DisplayPort to Dual-link DVI adapter so older DVI displays, such as the 30", could still be used.

https://www.amazon.com/Apple-Mini-DisplayPort-Dual-Link-Adapter/dp/B001IF252C

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Answer 3

jozl Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 23, 2021 9:13 AM in response to Malcolm J. Rayfield

Thanks Malcolm, Good to know the progression. I guess I should just purchase a new display. Seems a shame since the older cinema displays (I have 4) are still working fine. BTW, have you used any of the adapters you listed? They vary widely in price so it would be good to know which ones work the best. Thanks.

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Answer 4

jozl Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 22, 2021 11:34 AM in response to Malcolm J. Rayfield

Thanks Malcolm. I'm surprised by the large differences in prices for some of these components. Even more surprised that Apple doesn't sell the necessary adapters for their older displays.

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M1 Mac Mini display adapters

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