Connect to monitor with HDMI or DisplayPort with adapter?

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Connect to monitor with HDMI or DisplayPort with adapter?

I would like to connect a Mac mini Pro M2 and a MacBookPro to a Dell U3223QE monitor. The monitor has one USB-C input with 90W power, that should be dedicated to the MacBookPro. And then the monitor has a Display Port and a HDMI port. The Mac mini has HDMI and Thunderbolt ports but no DisplayPort. I have a DisplayPort cable that came with the monitor. What is the best way to connect the Mac Mini to the monitor? A new HDMI cable or DisplayPort cable with an adapter?

Mac mini (M2 Pro, 2023)

Posted on Sep 15, 2023 10:36 AM

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Answer 1

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Servant of Cats

Level 8

36,737 points

Sep 15, 2023 3:04 PM in response to profoeg

The Thunderbolt 4 ports on the M2 Pro Mac Mini are USB-C ports that support

DisplayPort
Thunderbolt 4
USB4
USB 3.1 Gen 2

Thunderbolt is just one of the operating modes – the one that Apple emphasizes in their marketing. You can hook up that monitor using a USB-C to DisplayPort adapter cable rated for 4K. The Mac will output DisplayPort over the USB-C port and the monitor will see DisplayPort on a standard full-size DisplayPort connector.

Thunderbolt will remain on the sidelines, because in this case, the peripheral neither needs, nor understands, it.

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