How do I connect my older 2014 Mac Mini to a new LG 5K display? The display has a thunderbolt 3 port and the Mac Mini has a HDMI port and two mini display thunderbolt 2 ports. I just tried the Insignia multiport USB-C to HDMI adapter and the display will not even turn on.
Iʻm assuming that whatever I do, I will not be able to access the full 5K on the display until I upgrade my Mac Mini - hopefully soon.
Thanks for any options.
The LG Ultra Fine 5K Thunderbolt 3 Display, is not compatible with your 2014 Mac Mini.
see the Apple System requirements at > https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT210205
and the LG specs, at > https://www.lg.com/us/monitors/lg-27MD5KA-B-5k-uhd-led-monitor
Thunderbolt and Thunderbolt 2 use the same cables
Apple Thunderbolt Cable (0.5 m) - White - Apple
https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MD861LL/A/apple-thunderbolt-cable-20-m
but even though you can connect the Thunderbolt 3 to your Thunderbolt 2 Mac mini doesn't mean the display will work.
Use the LG UltraFine 5K Display with your Mac or iPad - Apple Support
"You can use the LG UltraFine 5K Display with these Mac models at full 5K resolution:
...
Mac mini introduced in 2018 or later"
Mac mini (Late 2014) - Technical Specifications
"Support for up to two displays at 2560 by 1600 pixels"
The display is installed, with a resolution of 3200X1800, connected with a Thunderbolt 2 cable plugged into the Apple Thunderbolt 3 to 2 adapter. Workable until I upgrade my 2014 Mac Mini, whenever Apple decides to make the update available.
Several sources were pretty clear that a Mini Display Port cable and a Thunderbolt 2 cable are not necessarily the same. A Thunderbolt 2 cable is physically identical to the MDP cable but with the added capability of a Thunderbolt connection - like the one I just made. The monitor would not have worked with a simple MDP port and cable - according to several tech sources. Internet tech sources can be wrong of course and the two ports and cables could be identical. Moot question at this point.
Thanks for the links. The Apple support link you offered does confirm that the display is compatible with my 2014 Mac Mini. Apple recommends its thunderbolt 2 to 3 adapter, but the adapter has a female thunderbolt receptacle. Not much help, since my Mac Mini of course has a female thunderbolt port. Looks like I now need to locate a thunderbolt 2 cable. Pretty clear that the display does not work with a HDMI / Insignia adapter connection.
A standard Thunderbolt 2 port is the same as Mini displayPort. A Thunderbolt or Thunderbolt 2 plug should fit. For a Thunderbolt 3 device, such as the LG 5k display, you plug a Thunderrbolt 3 adapter into the display, then a Thunderbolt cable from the adapter to the computer. You'll probably get only 2560 by 1600, if it works at all.
Unfortunately (for me) the thunderbolt 2 port on the 2014 Mac Mini has the same physical configuration as a mini display port. It will not accept a standard thunderbolt plug - leaving me to cobble something together. Once I have the hookup figured out, I can expect a resolution of 3840X1800, according to Apple. Way below 5K but OK as a temporary fix until I can get the new Mac Mini.
Connect 2014 Mac Mini to LG 5K display
